{"product_id":"big-deal-cherry-laurel-hedging-9cm-pot-20cm-x-100","title":"Big Deal Cherry Laurel Hedging 9cm Pot 20cm x 100","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCherry Laurel (\u003cem\u003ePrunus laurocerasus\u003c\/em\u003e 'Big Deal')\u003c\/strong\u003e – Bold, Large-Leaved Evergreen for Dramatic Screening \u0026amp; Structural Planting\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ePrunus laurocerasus\u003c\/em\u003e 'Big Deal' is a striking and vigorous cultivar of the ever-popular \u003cstrong\u003eCherry Laurel\u003c\/strong\u003e, selected for its impressively \u003cstrong\u003elarge, glossy, rich green leaves\u003c\/strong\u003e 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 \u003cstrong\u003estatement hedging, dense privacy screening, and specimen planting\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFast-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 \u003cstrong\u003edramatic, large-leaved presence\u003c\/strong\u003e. 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003chr\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKey Features\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\u003cp\u003eExceptionally large, glossy, deep green foliage — bolder and more dramatic than the standard species\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\u003cp\u003eOutstanding year-round privacy screening and windbreak\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\u003cp\u003eFragrant white flower spikes in spring, followed by wildlife-friendly dark berries\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\u003cp\u003eHighly tolerant of shade, urban pollution, and a wide range of conditions\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\u003cp\u003eVigorous and fast-establishing — ideal where quick, substantial coverage is needed\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003chr\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGrowing Conditions\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePosition:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003ePrunus laurocerasus\u003c\/em\u003e 'Big Deal' is exceptionally accommodating in terms of light levels. It performs well in \u003cstrong\u003efull sun, partial shade, or deep shade\u003c\/strong\u003e, 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil:\u003c\/strong\u003e Adaptable to a broad range of soil types, including clay, chalk, loam, and sandy soils, provided conditions are \u003cstrong\u003ereasonably well-drained\u003c\/strong\u003e. 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHardiness:\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003chr\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHabit \u0026amp; Appearance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFoliage:\u003c\/strong\u003e The defining feature of 'Big Deal' is its \u003cstrong\u003eexceptionally large, leathery leaves\u003c\/strong\u003e — 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFlowers \u0026amp; Fruit:\u003c\/strong\u003e In \u003cstrong\u003emid to late spring\u003c\/strong\u003e, '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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUltimate Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e Left unpruned, 'Big Deal' will develop into a \u003cstrong\u003elarge, spreading shrub or small tree\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003chr\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCare \u0026amp; Pruning\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWatering:\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFeeding:\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePruning:\u003c\/strong\u003e For use as a formal hedge or privacy screen, trim \u003cstrong\u003eonce or twice a year\u003c\/strong\u003e — ideally in late spring after flowering, with a further pass in late summer if a tidier finish is required. Given the large leaf size, \u003cstrong\u003esecateurs are preferable to powered hedging shears\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePests \u0026amp; Disease:\u003c\/strong\u003e Generally robust and trouble-free. As with other Cherry Laurels, 'Big Deal' may occasionally show signs of \u003cstrong\u003eshot hole\u003c\/strong\u003e — a fungal condition causing small\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Grasslands Nursery","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57654842818886,"sku":"174286","price":325.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0796\/7948\/8326\/files\/1b82a7cf-e210-4d29-9736-210a2d64c17a_9e214347-5fa3-494a-be76-f41a697ceb09.jpg?v=1792398381","url":"https:\/\/www.grasslands.co.uk\/products\/big-deal-cherry-laurel-hedging-9cm-pot-20cm-x-100","provider":"Grasslands Nursery","version":"1.0","type":"link"}