Portuguese Laurel Hedging 40/50cm Bare Root

Reliable Evergreen Screening with Faster Establishment

These 40–50cm bare root Portuguese Laurel (Prunus lusitanica) plants provide a balanced choice between affordability and quicker growth for your hedge. Slightly larger than smaller bare root sizes, they establish well and fill in faster, creating a lush, dense evergreen screen that offers privacy and shelter.

Portuguese Laurel is admired for its glossy, dark green leaves and upright habit, making it a favourite for formal and informal garden hedges alike.

Key Features

• Supplied Height: 40–50cm (bare root, young plants)

• Foliage: Shiny, dark green, oval evergreen leaves

• Growth Rate: Moderate, approximately 20–30cm per year

• Mature Height: 3–5 metres if untrimmed

• Form: Upright, dense, bushy shrub

• Flowers: Small, fragrant white blooms appear in late spring on mature plants

• Berries: Bright red berries in autumn, attractive to birds

Planting & Spacing

• Best Planting Time: November to March (dorment season)

• Spacing:

  • 3 plants per metre for single row hedging

  • 5 plants per metre for staggered double rows to speed coverage

• Soil: Thrives in well-drained, fertile soils but adaptable to various soil types

• Light: Prefers full sun to partial shade

• Maintenance: Regular pruning promotes dense, compact growth and tidy shape

Why Choose 40/50cm Bare Root?

• Ideal size for faster establishment while keeping costs reasonable

• Easier to handle and plant than larger root ball options

• Good root development for strong early growth

Benefits of Portuguese Laurel Hedging

• Evergreen, year-round privacy and wind protection

• Attractive glossy foliage that adds refined structure to borders

• Hardy and adaptable to a wide range of garden conditions

• Supports wildlife with flowers for pollinators and berries for birds

• Low maintenance once established, suited for formal or informal hedges

Pros:

1. Cost-Effective: Bare root plants are generally cheaper than potted plants.
2. Variety: Greater selection of species available.
3. Establishment: Often establish quickly in the garden.

Cons:

1. Timing: Must be planted during the dormant season (late autumn to early spring).
2. Initial Care: Require careful handling and timely planting.

Preparation for Planting:

1. Soak Roots: Immerse the roots in water for a few hours before planting to rehydrate them.
2. Inspect: Trim any damaged roots with clean, sharp scissors.
3. Dig Hole: Ensure the hole is wide enough to spread roots out without bending them.
4. Consider Cutting back: Cutting back by up to 1/3, especially on taller plants will reduce possible losses and improve plant establishment.

Planting Process:

1. Plant Depth: Plant at the same depth they were grown in the nursery, indicated by the soil mark on the stem.
2. Fill Hole: Backfill with soil, ensuring no air pockets around the roots.
3. Water: Water thoroughly after planting to settle the soil around the roots.

Possibility of Losses:

• Adjustment Period: Some plants may not survive the transition due to transplant shock or poor initial care.
• Mitigation: Proper planting techniques and aftercare, like regular watering and mulching, can reduce losses.

Aftercare Tips:

1. Watering: Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged during the establishment period.
2. Mulching: Apply mulch around the base to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
3. Protection: Protect young plants from extreme weather and pests.

Bare root planting is a straightforward, economical way to enhance your garden, provided you follow these essential steps to ensure successful establishment.

Full Guide to planting bare root can be found here

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Does the height include the pot?

No, we measure from the top of the pot to the tip of the plant except for some of the instant planted screens, in this case it will be stated in the description

How long does delivery take?

Most orders are delivered in just a few days, Smaller items are often sent with Parcelforce on a next day service, Larger items should allow up to 10 days due to the size of the items they often have to be sent on our own transport.

Where will you leave my plants?

We will leave your order at the front of your property, Parcelforce may
leave your items in a safe place if you let us know, Pallet couriers
will require a flat hard surface to deliver to, no gravel or soil, a
driveway or parking spot would be best. Most importantly Deliveries by
pallet courier will require access for a large truck (bin lorry sized)
to get near the delivery point. Deliveries sent on our own transport may come in a small van or larger truck.