Hedge advice please
joe.shimmin
Posts: 213
in Plants
Hi,
We have a Portuguese laurel ‘hedge’ that we planted in Nov nearly 3 years ago. They were 6ft rootballs and they have finally started coming to life this year but are still no where near closing up the gaps. We also planted small Portuguese laurels in the gaps which are growing nicely but are still quite small.
We have a Portuguese laurel ‘hedge’ that we planted in Nov nearly 3 years ago. They were 6ft rootballs and they have finally started coming to life this year but are still no where near closing up the gaps. We also planted small Portuguese laurels in the gaps which are growing nicely but are still quite small.
My wife is getting impatient and wants me to plant a row of 5ft potted cherry laurels in front of them but I wonder if this will eventually outcompete the Portuguese laurels.
Should we be patient or plant the cherry laurels?
Thanks!
0
Posts
Shrubs don't instantly grow - they take years. It takes about a year for them to get roots established, let alone grow any appreciable amount. Buying bigger ones is also pointless, as they just take longer to establish, but unfortunately, it's the mistake many people make. 3 feet or so is the best sort of height. Ideally, if you'd cut about 2 feet off those on planting, they'd have filled out and grown better, and quicker.
It would help if you took another strip of turf away in front of them though. It's just competition for water and nutrients.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...