{"product_id":"big-deal-portuguese-laurel-hedging-100-120cm-root-ball-x-20","title":"Big Deal Portuguese Laurel Hedging 100\/120cm Root Ball x 20","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePortuguese Laurel (\u003cem\u003ePrunus lusitanica\u003c\/em\u003e)\u003c\/strong\u003e – Refined, Hardy Evergreen for Hedging, Topiary \u0026amp; Specimen Planting\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ePrunus lusitanica\u003c\/em\u003e, universally known as \u003cstrong\u003ePortuguese Laurel\u003c\/strong\u003e, is one of the most distinguished evergreen shrubs and small trees available for UK gardens. Its deep, glossy green leaves, carried on eye-catching crimson-red stalks, give it a polished, refined character that sets it well apart from the bolder, coarser laurels. Equally versatile as a clipped formal hedge, a precisely sculpted topiary piece, a tall privacy screen, or a graceful multi-stemmed specimen tree, it earns a place in gardens of every scale and style.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eMore moderate in pace than Cherry Laurel, Portuguese Laurel builds steadily into a dense, shapely plant of lasting quality. In early summer it produces long, slender racemes of small, creamy-white flowers carrying a soft, pleasant fragrance, followed in autumn by strings of small fruits that ripen from bright red to deep purple-black — greatly valued by garden birds. Tough, long-lived, and reliably hardy across all UK regions, this is a plant that improves with age and rewards every garden that gives it space.\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\u003eHandsome dark green foliage on distinctive crimson-red stalks — ornamental year-round\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\u003cp\u003eSuperb for formal hedging, topiary, tall screening, or specimen planting\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\u003cp\u003eFragrant white flower racemes in early summer, followed by wildlife-friendly fruits\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\u003cp\u003eFully hardy and tolerant of coastal, exposed, and urban conditions\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\u003cp\u003eMore refined and elegant in habit than Cherry Laurel — a premium choice for quality gardens\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 lusitanica\u003c\/em\u003e thrives in \u003cstrong\u003efull sun or partial shade\u003c\/strong\u003e and shows excellent tolerance of exposed, windy sites, making it a dependable choice for coastal gardens, open boundary plantings, and north-facing aspects. Growth may be a little more open in deep shade, but the plant remains healthy and presentable even in less favourable light conditions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil:\u003c\/strong\u003e Adaptable to a wide range of soil types — including chalk, clay, loam, and sandy soils — provided drainage is \u003cstrong\u003ereasonably good\u003c\/strong\u003e. It prefers a moist, fertile growing medium but establishes comfortably in drier soils once its root system has properly settled in. Avoid permanently waterlogged or compacted ground, which may cause root stress over time.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHardiness:\u003c\/strong\u003e Fully hardy throughout the UK and capable of tolerating temperatures well below freezing without significant damage. Portuguese Laurel shows greater cold resilience than many other evergreen species, making it a reliable choice for northerly, upland, and more exposed garden positions.\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 leaves are oval, pointed, and a deep lustrous dark green — notably smaller and more refined than those of Cherry Laurel — borne on striking \u003cstrong\u003ecrimson-red petioles\u003c\/strong\u003e that provide a subtle but year-round colour accent. Foliage is held densely and consistently, giving clipped specimens a crisp, precise finish and free-growing plants a naturally full, rounded outline.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFlowers \u0026amp; Fruit:\u003c\/strong\u003e In \u003cstrong\u003eearly to midsummer\u003c\/strong\u003e, slender, graceful racemes of small creamy-white flowers appear in abundance, carrying a delicate, hawthorn-like fragrance. These give way to chains of small oval fruits that ripen from vivid red to deep purple-black through autumn, providing an attractive seasonal display and a valuable food source for birds and other wildlife.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUltimate Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e Left unpruned, Portuguese Laurel will develop into a \u003cstrong\u003elarge, multi-stemmed shrub or small tree, typically reaching 6–10m in height\u003c\/strong\u003e with a naturally rounded, well-clothed crown. Growth is considerably more moderate than Cherry Laurel — typically \u003cstrong\u003e20–40cm per year\u003c\/strong\u003e in good conditions — making it straightforward to manage and maintain at a chosen height with only occasional attention.\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 regularly throughout the first growing season to encourage strong root establishment. Once settled, Portuguese Laurel is notably drought-tolerant and largely self-sufficient under typical UK rainfall. During prolonged dry spells, newly planted specimens will benefit from supplementary 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 support healthy, vigorous growth — particularly useful in leaner soils. An annual mulch of well-rotted organic matter around the base will help conserve moisture, suppress weeds, and steadily improve soil structure and fertility.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePruning:\u003c\/strong\u003e For a formal hedge or shaped specimen, trim \u003cstrong\u003eonce a year in late summer\u003c\/strong\u003e. Where a tighter, crisper finish is desired, a light additional pass in late spring will maintain a neat outline between the main cuts. Portuguese Laurel clips cleanly and holds its shape exceptionally well, making it one of the finest choices available for topiary and precise formal work. Use sharp secateurs or good-quality hedging shears, and aim to preserve the natural elegance of the plant's growth habit. When grown as a free-standing specimen or small tree, very little pruning is required — simply remove any dead, damaged, or crossing branches in late spring to keep the framework open and well-balanced.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePests \u0026amp; Disease:\u003c\/strong\u003e Portuguese Laurel is generally healthy, robust, and notably resistant to the diseases that can occasionally trouble other laurel species. Soft new growth in spring may occasionally attract \u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Grasslands Nursery","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57609093906758,"sku":"174273","price":612.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0796\/7948\/8326\/files\/e91a02ea-55f3-4c29-8203-083c7d320def_800x800_2838a8dc-785f-4e57-b088-a0ecbc1bc310.jpg?v=1792153380","url":"https:\/\/www.grasslands.co.uk\/products\/big-deal-portuguese-laurel-hedging-100-120cm-root-ball-x-20","provider":"Grasslands Nursery","version":"1.0","type":"link"}