Big Deal Portuguese Laurel Hedging 1.3 Litre Pot x 100

Portuguese Laurel (Prunus lusitanica 'Big Deal') – A Bold, Superior Evergreen for Hedging, Screening & Specimen Planting

Prunus lusitanica 'Big Deal' is a selected cultivar of the much-admired Portuguese Laurel, chosen for its notably vigorous constitution and exceptionally lush, dense foliage. Sharing all the refined elegance that makes the species so highly regarded, 'Big Deal' brings an added robustness and fullness of growth that makes it an outstanding choice wherever a polished, high-impact evergreen is needed. Its deep, lustrous green leaves, carried on the characteristic crimson-red stalks of the species, create a rich, layered texture that looks distinguished in every season.

Well suited to formal hedging, structured topiary, bold screening, or use as a handsome free-standing specimen, this cultivar rewards with long, graceful racemes of fragrant white flowers in early summer, followed by strings of small fruits that ripen from red to deep purple-black — providing colour into autumn and a valuable resource for garden birds. Hardy, adaptable, and long-lived, Prunus lusitanica 'Big Deal' is a premium choice for gardens where quality and year-round presence matter.

Key Features

• Vigorous, densely branched evergreen with rich, dark green foliage on striking red stalks

• More robust and fuller in habit than the straight species — exceptional coverage and density

• Fragrant white flower racemes in early summer, followed by wildlife-friendly fruits

• Fully hardy and tolerant of exposed, coastal, and urban conditions

• Highly versatile — ideal for formal hedging, topiary, screening, or specimen use

Growing Conditions

Position: Prunus lusitanica 'Big Deal' thrives in full sun or partial shade and is tolerant of exposed, windy, and coastal positions. It performs respectably on north-facing aspects, though growth will be less dense in deep shade. A sunny or lightly shaded site will encourage the richest foliage colour and most vigorous development.

Soil: Adaptable to a broad range of soil types, including chalk, clay, loam, and sandy ground, provided they are reasonably well-drained. It prefers a moist, fertile growing medium but establishes reliably in drier soils once its root system is properly settled. Avoid permanently waterlogged or poorly drained ground, which may cause root stress over time.

Hardiness: Fully hardy throughout the UK, withstanding hard frosts and cold winters with confidence. Its resilience in exposed and northerly locations makes it a dependable choice across all UK regions.

Habit & Appearance

Foliage: The leaves are oval, pointed, and a deep, lustrous dark green — notably refined in comparison to Cherry Laurel — carried on attractive crimson-red petioles that provide a subtle year-round colour accent. 'Big Deal' produces this foliage in particularly generous quantities, resulting in an especially full and well-clothed habit that clips to a crisp, precise finish.

Flowers & Fruit: In early to midsummer, long, slender racemes of small, creamy-white flowers are produced with a delicate, pleasant fragrance. These give way to chains of small oval fruits, ripening from bright red to deep purple-black in autumn — ornamental in their own right and eagerly taken by birds and other wildlife.

Ultimate Size: Left unpruned, 'Big Deal' will develop into a large, multi-stemmed shrub or small tree with a naturally rounded, well-furnished crown. Growth is moderate and manageable — typically in the range of 20–40cm per year — making it straightforward to maintain at a chosen size with only occasional attention. Its naturally dense branching habit means less remedial pruning is needed to achieve a full, solid result.

Care & Pruning

Watering: Water regularly throughout the first growing season to encourage strong, deep establishment. Once settled, 'Big Deal' is notably drought-tolerant and largely self-sufficient in typical UK conditions. Newly planted specimens will benefit from additional irrigation during any prolonged dry spells in summer.

Feeding: Apply a balanced general-purpose fertiliser in early spring to support healthy, vigorous growth — particularly beneficial in leaner soils. An annual mulch of well-rotted organic matter around the base will help retain moisture, suppress weed growth, and gradually improve the fertility of the surrounding soil.

Pruning: For formal hedging or shaped topiary, trim once a year in late summer to maintain a clean, defined outline. A second, lighter trim in late spring can be added where a particularly tight finish is desired. 'Big Deal' responds very well to clipping, holding its shape neatly between cuts. Use sharp secateurs or quality hedging shears, and work with the natural line of growth for the best results. When grown as a free-standing specimen shrub or small tree, minimal pruning is required — simply remove any dead, damaged, or crossing branches in late spring to keep the framework open and the plant looking its best.

Pests & Disease: Generally healthy and trouble-free, with the excellent disease resistance characteristic of the species. Aphids may occasionally appear on soft new growth in spring but rarely cause lasting harm and typically decline without intervention. Established plants are robust and seldom require treatment