Big Deal Cherry Laurel Hedging 125-150cm 10 Litre Pot x 20

Cherry Laurel (Prunus laurocerasus 'Caucasica') – Tall, Upright Evergreen for Screening, Hedging & Windbreaks

Prunus laurocerasus 'Caucasica' is a selected form of Cherry Laurel prized above all for its notably upright, columnar habit and vigorous, fast-reaching growth. Where the broader species tends to spread as much as it rises, 'Caucasica' pushes strongly skyward, making it the outstanding choice for tall privacy screens, dense windbreaks, and narrow hedging situations where ground space is limited but height is essential. Its long, lance-shaped leaves are a deep, polished green — slightly more slender than those of other Cherry Laurels — giving the overall effect a touch more elegance without sacrificing any of the bold, robust character the species is known for.

In spring, established plants produce upright racemes of small, sweetly fragrant white flowers, followed in autumn by clusters of dark, cherry-like berries that are readily taken by garden birds. Tough, reliable, and easy to establish, 'Caucasica' is a hardworking evergreen that delivers excellent results with minimal fuss — a firm favourite for gardeners and landscapers who need height and density, fast.

Key Features

• Strongly upright, columnar habit — ideal where spread must be kept in check

• Exceptionally fast-growing, delivering height and screening cover quickly

• Long, lance-shaped, deep glossy-green leaves with year-round presence

• Fragrant white flower spikes in spring; dark berries in autumn for wildlife

• Highly tolerant of shade, exposed positions, urban pollution, and a wide range of soils

Growing Conditions

Position: Prunus laurocerasus 'Caucasica' is highly adaptable when it comes to aspect. It performs well in full sun, partial shade, or even dense shade, making it one of the most versatile tall screening plants available. It is well suited to north-facing boundaries, beneath tree canopies, and in exposed or windy locations where many other evergreens would struggle.

Soil: Tolerant of a broad range of soil types, including clay, chalk, loam, and sandy soils, provided drainage is reasonably good. It prefers a moist, fertile medium but settles well into drier soils once established. Permanently waterlogged ground should be avoided, as prolonged saturation can cause root stress.

Hardiness: Fully hardy throughout the UK and across most of Northern Europe, withstanding hard frosts without significant damage to foliage or form. Rated RHS H5, tolerating temperatures down to approximately –15 °C.

Habit & Appearance

Foliage: The leaves of 'Caucasica' are notably longer and more lance-shaped than those of broader Cherry Laurel cultivars — deep, lustrous green with a leathery texture and a polished upper surface. New growth flushes a fresh, bright green in spring before deepening through summer, maintaining an attractive and dense canopy throughout the year.

Flowers & Fruit: In mid to late spring, established plants that have not been recently trimmed produce erect racemes of small, creamy-white flowers carrying a soft, pleasant fragrance. These give way in autumn to clusters of small, round fruits that ripen from red to deep purple-black — a valuable and popular food source for birds and other garden wildlife.

Ultimate Size: Left unpruned, 'Caucasica' will develop into a tall, upright large shrub or small tree, potentially reaching 6–8m or more in height, with a comparatively narrow spread. Growth rates of 40–60cm per year are typical in good conditions, making it one of the faster-growing laurels available. It responds very well to clipping and can easily be maintained at a chosen height with regular attention.

Care & Pruning

Watering: Water consistently throughout the first growing season to encourage strong, deep root establishment. Once settled, 'Caucasica' is notably drought-tolerant and largely self-sufficient under typical UK rainfall. In prolonged dry spells, newly planted specimens will benefit from supplementary irrigation.

Feeding: Apply a balanced general-purpose fertiliser in early spring to support strong, healthy growth — particularly beneficial in poorer or sandy soils. An annual mulch of well-rotted organic matter around the base will help retain soil moisture, suppress competing weeds, and gradually enrich the growing medium.

Pruning: For use as a formal hedge or tall screen, trim once or twice a year — ideally once after flowering in late spring and again in late summer if a tighter finish is required. Where possible, use sharp secateurs rather than mechanical shears to avoid cutting through the large leaves, which can brown at the cut edges. When trimming, follow the natural upright outline of the plant to make the most of its distinctive columnar form. If grown as a free-standing specimen, very little intervention is needed — simply remove any dead, damaged, or awkwardly placed branches in late spring to keep the overall shape open and balanced. 'Caucasica' will tolerate hard renovation pruning if an older plant needs cutting back significantly, and it will typically regenerate well from old wood.

Pests & Disease: Generally robust and trouble-free. As with other Cherry Laurels, it may occasionally show