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Cherry laurel when to prune

CopperdogCopperdog Posts: 519
in Plants
Hello everyone, I have lots of new lovely green growth in this but as it is in a rather small cottage garden setting I really have to keep it under control! I pruned last sept/Oct and it kept a good done shape until now. When should I give it another haircut to try and maintain the shape, is this something I might have to do monthly during the growing season? Thankyou 

Posts

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 50,366
    All the info is on this thread
    https://forum.gardenersworld.com/discussion/656523/help-needed-please-with-laurel-hedge-issues#latest

    I just take individual branches/stems out - right back to the trunk. I'm about to do a few today.
    They aren't really suitable for small spaces I'm afraid
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Butterfly66Butterfly66 Posts: 790
    We inherited several large laurels - long past hedge stage more large shrubs/trees- but we’ve kept them because they provide good screening and we just trim them as and when through the spring and summer when we spot them exceeding their allotted space. They don’t seem to mind when they are pruned.
     If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.”—Marcus Tullius Cicero
    East facing, top of a hill clay-loam, cultivated for centuries (7 years by me). Birmingham
  • CopperdogCopperdog Posts: 519
    Thanks @Fairygirl. I’ve managed to keep on top of it somewhat....I raised the canopy last year and still managed to keep it like an apple or large lollipop style xx we inherited it when we bought the house 20 years ago - I probably should have taken it out then. Does add some privacy to our bay window too x
  • CopperdogCopperdog Posts: 519
    Thank @butterfly66 - sorry missed your post just now. Think I’ll have to do the same really and just keep on top of it as I don’t dislike it entirely and I like the shape I’ve managed to get it in x
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 50,366
    Ah - yes, you can certainly keep them lollipopped. :)
    It allows room below for planting, as long as the soil is suitable. 
    If it's giving you privacy, and you like it, it's worth keeping. They don't mind hacking back at any time  :)  
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Butterfly66Butterfly66 Posts: 790
    edited May 2020
    We raised the canopy of one of ours to expose the trunk, it has a fabulous twisted shape and must be 2ft across. The whole thing is as tall as the house. Gives brilliant screening and the birds love it, we usually have a couple of nests in it. Wouldn’t choose to plant one but must admit we have grown to like the ones we have, they flower beautifully and I love the cherries as you get a real mix of colours as they mature.

    Apparently they used to make a cordial from the fruit which was popular mixed with brandy and often used as a soporific. Had to be dilated though as it was lethal otherwise - paralyses your nervous system!
     If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.”—Marcus Tullius Cicero
    East facing, top of a hill clay-loam, cultivated for centuries (7 years by me). Birmingham
  • LynLyn Posts: 21,411
    Definitely good for the birds,  they shelter in ours through the winter and are nesting in it now. They love a dense  hedge and this fits the bill. 
    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • JoeXJoeX Posts: 1,783
    I think our robins are nesting in ours this year - check for nests first!
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