Laurels are popular evergreen shrubs often used in landscaping to create dense, fast-growing privacy screens and hedges. The question of how quickly they grow depends on the specific species planted, as well as the environmental conditions of the planting site. Understanding the growth rates of the common landscape laurels is important for planning, especially when the goal is to establish a visual barrier in a short timeframe. The speed at which any laurel variety gains height and width is highly variable, influenced by genetics, soil quality, and pruning methods.
Specific Growth Rates of Common Landscape Laurels
The term “laurel” in a garden context typically refers to three main species, each possessing a distinct growth velocity when grown under ideal conditions. The fastest grower among the popular choices is the English Laurel, Prunus laurocerasus, often called Cherry Laurel. This species is known for its rapid development, generally adding 1 to 2 feet (30 to 60 centimeters) of new growth annually. In highly favorable environments, some varieties of English Laurel can even reach a growth rate of up to 3 feet per year.
A slightly more moderate, yet still quick, option is the Portuguese Laurel, Prunus lusitanica. This variety is characterized by smaller, darker leaves and distinctive red stems, and typically grows at a rate of 1 to 2 feet (30 to 60 centimeters) per year. This speed makes it an effective choice for establishing a dense hedge relatively quickly, though it is usually outpaced by the English Laurel. Both of these Prunus species are considered fast growers.
The third common species is the true Bay Laurel, Laurus nobilis, known for its aromatic culinary leaves. This particular laurel is a significantly slower grower compared to the others, possessing a growth rate that is classified as slow to moderate. Under optimum conditions, the Bay Laurel usually adds only 8 to 16 inches (20 to 40 centimeters) of height each year. The rapid growth rates cited for the faster laurels usually apply during the plant’s establishment phase, which typically lasts for the first few years after planting.
Environmental Conditions That Impact Growth Velocity
A laurel’s inherent growth potential is significantly modulated by the conditions of its planting environment. Soil quality is a primary determinant of growth speed, requiring a balance between good drainage and moisture retention. Laurels strongly dislike sitting in constantly waterlogged soil, which can quickly lead to root rot and severely halt growth. While adaptable, these shrubs prefer a slightly acidic to neutral soil pH, typically falling within the 4.5 to 7.5 range.
Sun exposure also plays a direct role in a plant’s energy production and subsequent growth rate. Most laurels thrive in a location that receives full sun or partial shade, which encourages robust, faster development. Planting in deep shade will slow the annual rate and can lead to thin, elongated (leggy) stems as the plant stretches to find light. Conversely, in regions with intense summer heat, full afternoon sun can sometimes stress the plant, causing leaf scorch and temporarily stalling growth.
The availability of water is especially important during the establishment period, the first year after planting, where consistent moisture is needed for root development. Drought conditions during this time will significantly restrict the plant’s ability to put on new height and foliage. Furthermore, the local climate and hardiness zone dictate the length of the growing season and the risk of damage. Extreme cold snaps can cause dieback, forcing the plant to expend energy repairing damaged tissue rather than adding new vertical growth.
Cultivation Techniques for Controlling or Maximizing Growth
Active maintenance techniques offer the gardener direct control over a laurel’s growth habits, allowing for either maximization of speed or restriction for shaping. To maximize annual growth, a balanced, slow-release fertilizer is recommended, often featuring an NPK ratio such as 10-10-10 or 14-14-14. This application should occur in the early spring just before the main flush of new growth to provide the necessary nutrients for rapid expansion. It is important to stop fertilizing approximately two months before the first expected frost, as late-season feeding stimulates soft new growth that is highly vulnerable to winter damage.
The method of pruning also dictates whether the plant’s energy is directed toward height or density. Heavy shearing, performed with hedge trimmers to maintain a formal shape, primarily cuts the tender outer foliage. This technique encourages dense growth only on the shrub’s surface, which over time can create a thick outer shell that shades and starves the interior, slowing overall vertical expansion.
To encourage faster height gain, selective pruning is more effective, involving the removal of entire branches deeper within the plant with hand pruners. This thinning allows light to penetrate to the interior, promoting healthier, more vigorous growth from the central structure of the shrub.
Controlling competition around the base of the plant is another simple way to boost growth speed. Weeds and turf grass compete directly with the laurel for water and available nutrients in the soil. Applying a layer of organic mulch around the base helps to suppress competing growth while simultaneously helping the soil retain moisture. Reducing this competition ensures that the laurel can efficiently absorb the necessary resources, which directly translates into a quicker and more robust annual growth rate.