Whether you’re planning a privacy hedge, looking for an evergreen boundary plant, or simply exploring options for your garden, laurel is one of the most versatile and popular shrub choices available. In this complete guide, we’ll walk you through the different types of laurels, their benefits for home gardens, the challenges you should know about, and how to use a laurel tree effectively in your landscape design.
What Is a Laurel Plant?
Laurel is a broad term used to describe several species of evergreen shrubs and trees belonging to different plant families. What they share in common is dense, glossy foliage that stays green throughout the year — making laurels extremely popular for hedging, screening, and ornamental planting. An evergreen plant keeps its leaves in all seasons, which is why laurel is a top choice for gardeners who want year-round privacy and greenery.
The most commonly grown laurels in home gardens include cherry laurel (Prunus laurocerasus), Portuguese laurel (Prunus lusitanica), bay laurel (Laurus nobilis), and English laurel. Each laurel tree or shrub has distinct characteristics in terms of growth speed, mature size, and care requirements — which we’ll explore in the next section.
Popular Types of Laurel
Choosing the right type of laurel depends on your garden size, climate, and what you want to achieve. Here are the most popular laurel varieties grown in gardens today:
Cherry Laurel (Prunus laurocerasus)
Cherry laurel is the most widely planted laurel hedge in the UK, Europe, and temperate North America. It grows fast — typically 30 to 60 cm (12–24 inches) per year — and produces large, glossy, dark green leaves that create a thick, impenetrable screen. Cherry laurel tolerates shade well and adapts to most soil types, making it forgiving for beginner gardeners.
Many homeowners choose cherry laurel because it creates a dense privacy hedge within just a few growing seasons when properly maintained. It produces small white flower spikes in spring and dark berries in autumn. However, be aware that cherry laurel leaves and berries contain compounds that are toxic if ingested by humans or pets.
English Laurel
English laurel is essentially the same species as cherry laurel (Prunus laurocerasus) — the name ‘English laurel’ is more commonly used in North America. It’s prized for its large, paddle-shaped leaves and ability to be shaped into formal hedges. English laurel can reach heights of 5–8 metres (15–25 feet) if left untrimmed, so regular pruning is essential to keep it at your desired height.
Portuguese Laurel (Prunus lusitanica)
Portuguese laurel has a more refined, elegant appearance compared to cherry laurel. Its leaves are smaller and darker, often with attractive reddish stems. It grows more slowly — around 20–40 cm (8–16 inches) per year — which means less frequent trimming. Portuguese laurel is hardier than cherry laurel in colder climates and makes an excellent choice for formal garden settings where a neater, more compact hedge is desired.
Bay Laurel (Laurus nobilis)
Bay laurel is the aromatic laurel tree whose leaves are used in cooking — the classic ‘bay leaf’ in soups and stews. Unlike cherry laurel, bay laurel grows slowly and is often trained as a standard (lollipop-shaped) ornamental tree or kept in containers. It prefers sheltered positions and mild climates, and can be damaged by harsh winter frost. Bay laurel is an excellent choice for herb gardens and decorative patio planting.
Mountain Laurel (Kalmia latifolia)
Mountain laurel is native to eastern North America and is technically unrelated to the other laurels listed here — but it’s commonly grouped with them by name. It produces stunning clusters of pink and white flowers in late spring and prefers acidic, well-drained soil in partial shade. Mountain laurel is a beautiful ornamental choice but isn’t suitable for hedging due to its slower, more open growth habit.
Benefits of Growing Laurel
Privacy and screening: Laurels are among the best plants for creating natural privacy barriers. A mature cherry laurel hedge can reach 2–4 metres tall and becomes so dense that you cannot see through it. This makes laurels ideal for blocking views from neighbouring properties, reducing road noise, and providing wind protection for more delicate garden plants.
Year-round greenery and low maintenance: Because laurels are evergreen, your garden boundary stays green and attractive even in winter when deciduous hedges are bare. Once established, most laurels require only one or two trims per year to maintain their shape. They tolerate a wide range of soil conditions, cope with shade or sun, and are generally resistant to common garden pests.
Wildlife value and landscaping appeal: Laurel hedges provide shelter and nesting sites for birds. The spring flowers attract pollinators, and the autumn berries feed birds (though they’re toxic to humans). From a design perspective, laurels create a clean, structured backdrop that makes colourful garden borders and flowering plants stand out beautifully.
Challenges of Laurel Plants
Vigorous growth and space requirements: The fast growth that makes cherry laurel attractive for quick hedges can become a challenge if not managed. Without regular trimming (at least once or twice per year), laurels can outgrow their space, encroach on paths and neighbouring properties, and become difficult to control. Large-leaved laurels like cherry laurel are best pruned with secateurs rather than hedge trimmers to avoid shredding the leaves, which looks unsightly.
Potential issues: Laurels can suffer from powdery mildew, shot-hole disease (small holes in leaves caused by bacterial or fungal infection), and occasionally aphid infestations. Waterlogged soil is their biggest enemy — poor drainage can lead to root rot. In some regions, cherry laurel is considered mildly invasive because birds spread its seeds into wild areas. Additionally, all parts of cherry laurel (leaves, berries, stems) contain cyanogenic compounds and are toxic if ingested by humans, dogs, cats, or livestock.
🌿 Tip: If you have young children or pets, consider Portuguese laurel or bay laurel as safer alternatives. Always research the specific laurel variety’s toxicity and local invasiveness status before planting.
Common Uses of Laurel in Gardens
Garden hedges and property boundaries are by far the most popular use for laurels. A well-maintained laurel hedge provides privacy, noise reduction, and wind protection all year round. Cherry laurel and Portuguese laurel are the go-to choices for boundary hedging, while bay laurel works beautifully as a container specimen near doorways or on patios.
Beyond hedging, laurels are used for topiary and formal garden structure, screening unsightly areas (bins, compost heaps, utility boxes), creating green ‘rooms’ within larger gardens, and as standalone specimen trees. Bay laurel leaves are harvested for culinary use, and mountain laurel provides stunning ornamental flowering in woodland garden settings.
Frequently Asked Questions About Laurel
How fast does cherry laurel grow?
Cherry laurel typically grows 30–60 cm (12–24 inches) per year under good conditions. With adequate water, sunlight, and well-drained soil, you can establish a dense privacy hedge within 3–5 years from planting young container-grown specimens.
Are laurel plants toxic to pets?
Cherry laurel and English laurel leaves and berries contain cyanogenic glycosides and are toxic to dogs, cats, horses, and other animals if eaten. Bay laurel leaves are generally safe in small culinary quantities but can cause digestive upset in pets. If you have animals that chew plants, consider fencing the hedge or choosing a non-toxic alternative.
When is the best time to plant a laurel hedge?
The ideal planting time for laurel is autumn (October–November) or early spring (March–April) when the soil is moist and temperatures are mild. Autumn planting allows roots to establish over winter before the growing season. Avoid planting during hot, dry summer months or when the ground is frozen.
How often should I trim a laurel hedge?
Most laurel hedges need trimming once or twice per year. The best time to prune is late spring (after flowering) and optionally again in late summer. Use secateurs or loppers for large-leaved varieties like cherry laurel to avoid cutting through leaves, which causes brown edges. Hedge trimmers are acceptable for smaller-leaved Portuguese laurel.
Is laurel suitable for all climates?
Cherry laurel is hardy in USDA zones 6–9 and tolerates temperatures down to around -15°C (5°F). Portuguese laurel is slightly hardier. Bay laurel is less cold-tolerant and best suited to zones 8–10 or sheltered positions in zone 7. In very cold climates, consider container planting bay laurel so it can be moved indoors during winter.
