{"product_id":"prunus-novita-pleached-8-10cm-g-180cm-st-120cm-tall-x-120cm-wide","title":"Prunus Novita Pleached 8-10cm G 180cm St, 120cm Tall x 120cm Wide Root Ball Delivery November","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCherry Laurel 'Novita' (\u003cem\u003ePrunus\u003c\/em\u003e 'Novita')\u003c\/strong\u003e – A Superior Evergreen for Hedging, Screening \u0026amp; Formal Planting\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ePrunus\u003c\/em\u003e 'Novita' is a selected cultivar of Cherry Laurel that represents one of the finest choices available for garden screening and formal hedging. Combining the vigour and reliability that makes Cherry Laurel such a popular evergreen with a notably upright, well-structured habit, 'Novita' delivers dense, year-round coverage with a more refined, manageable form than the straight species. Its bold, glossy foliage creates an impressive living screen that remains attractive in every season.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWhere a strong, fast-establishing hedge or windbreak is needed — without the spreading, irregular character that can make other Cherry Laurels harder to control — 'Novita' stands out as a particularly practical and handsome solution. In spring it produces upright spikes of small white flowers, adding seasonal charm to its structural qualities, and these are followed by dark, cherry-like fruits that prove irresistible to garden birds.\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\u003eVigorous, upright evergreen with large, bold, highly glossy dark green foliage\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\u003cp\u003eExcellent choice for formal and informal hedging, screening, and windbreaks\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\u003cp\u003eMore strongly upright in habit than the species — easier to manage and keep tidy\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhite flower spikes in spring, followed by wildlife-friendly dark fruits in autumn\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\u003cp\u003eTolerant of shade, exposed positions, urban pollution, and a wide range of soils\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\u003cp\u003eResponds well to clipping — suitable for both formal and relaxed planting styles\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\u003c\/em\u003e 'Novita' thrives in \u003cstrong\u003efull sun, partial shade, or full shade\u003c\/strong\u003e, making it one of the most adaptable evergreen shrubs available. It performs reliably on north-facing boundaries and beneath tree canopies where many other plants would struggle. It is also highly tolerant of exposed, windy, and urban conditions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil:\u003c\/strong\u003e Accommodating across a broad range of soil types, including clay, chalk, loam, and sandy soils, as long as drainage is \u003cstrong\u003ereasonably good\u003c\/strong\u003e. It prefers a moist, fertile growing medium but establishes well in drier conditions once the root system is properly settled. Avoid permanently waterlogged or boggy ground, which can cause root problems over time.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHardiness:\u003c\/strong\u003e Fully hardy throughout the UK and able to withstand hard frosts without significant damage. A reliably tough and dependable choice for all UK regions, including more northerly and exposed locations.\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 large, leathery, and a deep, lustrous green with a notably glossy surface finish — bold and striking throughout the year. Fresh growth emerges in bright lime-green flushes before deepening to the characteristic rich dark tone, providing attractive seasonal variation during the growing period. The foliage is held densely, giving clipped specimens a full, even appearance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFlowers \u0026amp; Fruit:\u003c\/strong\u003e In \u003cstrong\u003emid to late spring\u003c\/strong\u003e, 'Novita' produces erect racemes of small white flowers with a light, pleasant fragrance — a welcome and often underappreciated display before the flush of new growth takes over. These are followed in autumn by clusters of small, dark purple-black fruits that ripen attractively and provide a valuable food source for birds and other wildlife.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUltimate Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e Left unpruned, 'Novita' will develop into a \u003cstrong\u003elarge, strongly upright shrub reaching 4–6m in height\u003c\/strong\u003e with a more columnar, contained spread than the typical species. Growth is vigorous — typically \u003cstrong\u003e30–60cm per year\u003c\/strong\u003e in good conditions — but the naturally upright habit means it is considerably easier to maintain at a chosen size without the plant spreading excessively. Regular pruning will keep it compact and dense at virtually any desired height.\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 well settled, 'Novita' is notably resilient and largely self-sufficient under typical UK rainfall conditions. In prolonged dry spells, newly planted specimens will benefit from supplementary watering 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 in poorer or leaner soils. An annual mulch of well-rotted organic matter around the base will help retain moisture, suppress weeds, and steadily improve soil condition over time.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePruning:\u003c\/strong\u003e For a formal hedge or clipped screen, trim \u003cstrong\u003eonce or twice a year\u003c\/strong\u003e — ideally in late spring after flowering and again in late summer if a particularly neat finish is required. Where possible, use sharp secateurs rather than mechanical shears to avoid cutting through the large leaves, which can result in unsightly browning at the cut edges. The naturally upright habit of 'Novita' means less remedial tidying is needed between cuts compared to more spreading forms. Left to grow freely as a specimen shrub, it requires only occasional removal of dead, damaged, or crossing branches in late spring to keep the structure healthy and open.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePests \u0026amp; Disease:\u003c\/strong\u003e Generally robust and trouble-free. Like other Cherry Laurels, 'Novita' may occasionally show signs of \u003cstrong\u003eshot hole\u003c\/strong\u003e — a fungal condition that causes small holes in the foliage — but this is largely cosmetic and rarely causes serious harm to an otherwise healthy, well-established plant.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Grasslands Nursery","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57479175274822,"sku":"174109","price":246.5,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0796\/7948\/8326\/files\/Prunus-Novita-Pleached-12-14cm-G-180cm-St-120cm-H-x-150cm-W-Delivery-July-August_171372_2026-06-23.jpg?v=1790676747","url":"https:\/\/www.grasslands.co.uk\/products\/prunus-novita-pleached-8-10cm-g-180cm-st-120cm-tall-x-120cm-wide","provider":"Grasslands Nursery","version":"1.0","type":"link"}