New laurel hedge Question

carlosdavilaHtXYy4qZ

Hi everyone, new to the forums.  I've just planted a new laurel hedge next to my wall. I also elevated the ground level roughly 15-20cm with soil and compost. I made sure to break up the original soil beneath it as well. On the other side of where the hedge is planted there will be gravel. As the laurel starts to take, do I need to retain the area where the laurel is planted? Or can I simply allow the soil to slope down towards the gravel? If a method of retaining is required, are there any suggestions? What would be best? Pics attached. Many 
Thanks!
 

JennyJ

I think some kind of low edging would be best, otherwise the soil will be forever being washed down onto the gravel area when it rains. Something like concrete path edging strips (if they're deep enough) or a few courses of bricks on a concrete footing would last longer than wood. When the laurels get big there might be some outward pressure on the edging from the roots, so it needs to be quite sturdy.

carlosdavilaHtXYy4qZ

Thanks Jenny, would the concrete path edging strips need to be bedded down in concrete? Or could I set them into the soil? I'm now thinking whether I should just take away the soil and leave it at the original ground level if it is too much trouble! 

Fairygirl

If you now remove the soil, you could be exposing the roots. 
A good, strong edging would be better concreted in. The only problem just now - is a shortage of concrete. 
The alternative is to knock a few short posts in [you can use the brackets which are made for the purpose] and use timber for an edging, even if temporary.
Or use sleepers. 
If the rest of the area is going to have more soil added to bring it  to the same level [for a lawn?]  you don't need to bother having anything though. You would just make sure the edge was kept tidy, and in the case of a lawn, you'd use a spade to keep it defined, and edging shears for the grass edges, so that it doesn't all encroach into the hedge base