Big Deal Cherry Laurel Hedging 9cm Pot 20cm x 100

Cherry Laurel (Prunus laurocerasus 'Big Deal') – Bold, Large-Leaved Evergreen for Dramatic Screening & Structural Planting

Prunus laurocerasus 'Big Deal' is a striking and vigorous cultivar of the ever-popular Cherry Laurel, selected for its impressively large, glossy, rich green leaves that make an immediate and bold statement in any garden setting. Where the species is already known for its reliability and density, 'Big Deal' takes the visual impact a step further — delivering a lush, architectural quality that lends itself superbly to statement hedging, dense privacy screening, and specimen planting.

Fast-growing and remarkably tough, this cultivar shares all the well-loved qualities of Cherry Laurel — exceptional shade tolerance, adaptability to a wide range of soils, and year-round evergreen structure — while offering a noticeably more dramatic, large-leaved presence. In spring it produces the characteristic upright spikes of small, sweetly fragrant white flowers, followed by dark berries that are eagerly taken by birds. Whether used to form a grand formal hedge, a bold backdrop, or a free-standing structural shrub, 'Big Deal' more than lives up to its name.

Key Features

• Exceptionally large, glossy, deep green foliage — bolder and more dramatic than the standard species

• Outstanding year-round privacy screening and windbreak

• Fragrant white flower spikes in spring, followed by wildlife-friendly dark berries

• Highly tolerant of shade, urban pollution, and a wide range of conditions

• Vigorous and fast-establishing — ideal where quick, substantial coverage is needed

Growing Conditions

Position: Prunus laurocerasus 'Big Deal' is exceptionally accommodating in terms of light levels. It performs well in full sun, partial shade, or deep shade, making it one of the few vigorous, large-leaved evergreens that will thrive on a north-facing boundary, beneath a tree canopy, or in a bright open position with equal reliability. It is also tolerant of urban pollution and exposed, windy sites.

Soil: Adaptable to a broad range of soil types, including clay, chalk, loam, and sandy soils, provided conditions are reasonably well-drained. It prefers a moist, fertile growing medium but establishes well in drier soils once the root system is properly settled. Permanently waterlogged or boggy ground should be avoided, as this can cause root stress in the longer term.

Hardiness: Fully hardy throughout the UK and across most of Northern Europe, tolerating hard frosts without significant damage. An excellent choice for gardens in exposed or northerly locations where many other evergreens may struggle.

Habit & Appearance

Foliage: The defining feature of 'Big Deal' is its exceptionally large, leathery leaves — a deep, lustrous green with a bold, smooth surface that catches the light beautifully. New growth flushes a fresh, bright lime-green before maturing to its characteristic deep tone, providing a welcome burst of colour during the growing season. The overall effect is lush, generous, and distinctly architectural.

Flowers & Fruit: In mid to late spring, 'Big Deal' produces erect racemes of small, sweetly scented white flowers — an often underappreciated but genuinely attractive seasonal display. These are followed in autumn by clusters of small, dark purple-black berries, providing a valuable food source for birds and other garden wildlife.

Ultimate Size: Left unpruned, 'Big Deal' will develop into a large, spreading shrub or small tree with a dense, full canopy. It is a vigorous grower and responds extremely well to pruning, making it equally suitable for maintaining at a more modest, controlled size. Regular trimming will keep it as a neat, dense hedge or shaped specimen at whatever scale suits the garden.

Care & Pruning

Watering: Water consistently throughout the first growing season to support strong root establishment. Once settled in, 'Big Deal' is notably drought-tolerant and largely self-sufficient under typical UK rainfall. During extended dry periods, newly planted specimens will benefit from additional irrigation until fully established.

Feeding: Apply a balanced general-purpose fertiliser in early spring to promote healthy, vigorous growth — particularly beneficial in leaner soils. An annual mulch of well-rotted organic matter around the base will help conserve soil moisture, suppress weeds, and steadily improve the growing conditions over time.

Pruning: For use as a formal hedge or privacy screen, trim once or twice a year — ideally in late spring after flowering, with a further pass in late summer if a tidier finish is required. Given the large leaf size, secateurs are preferable to powered hedging shears wherever practical, as cutting cleanly through individual stems avoids the unsightly browning that occurs when large leaves are sliced through mid-blade. Left to grow freely as a specimen shrub, very little intervention is needed — simply remove any dead, damaged, or awkwardly placed branches in late spring to maintain an open, healthy framework.

Pests & Disease: Generally robust and trouble-free. As with other Cherry Laurels, 'Big Deal' may occasionally show signs of shot hole — a fungal condition causing small