The Skip Laurel, scientifically known as Prunus laurocerasus ‘Schipkaensis,’ is an evergreen shrub used extensively in residential and commercial landscapes. It is popular for creating dense, year-round privacy screening and attractive hedges due to its glossy, dark-green foliage. The plant’s hardiness and ability to thrive in a range of conditions contribute to its widespread use. Understanding its potential size and growth habit is important for effective landscape planning.
Defining the Mature Height and Spread
The Skip Laurel is a large shrub that can reach the size of a small tree if left unmanaged for many years. The typical mature height ranges between 10 and 18 feet tall. Its spread is narrower than its height, usually maturing to a width of 5 to 7 feet. This gives the plant a naturally upright, vase-like shape.
This upright habit and dense foliage make it an excellent choice for a hedge or privacy screen that requires a narrow footprint. While 18 feet represents the maximum height, most cultivated shrubs are kept closer to the 10-to-15-foot range through maintenance. The plant maintains a dense structure from the ground up, making it effective for screening without the need for additional plants at its base. The final dimensions are influenced by the local environment and management practices.
Factors Influencing Growth Rate
The Skip Laurel is a moderate to fast-growing shrub, a characteristic that contributes to its popularity for creating privacy screens. Once established, the plant grows about 1 to 2 feet per year, allowing it to reach a substantial size within a few growing seasons. This makes it an appealing choice for landscape transformation.
The speed of growth depends on environmental factors. The shrub performs well in full sun, which accelerates growth, but it tolerates partial shade. While adaptable to many soil types, the fastest growth occurs in rich, well-drained soil that is consistently moist. Regional climate, within USDA hardiness zones 5 through 9, also modifies the speed and vigor of its growth.
Controlling Size Through Pruning
Despite its large size, the Skip Laurel responds well to pruning, maintaining a specific height and shape in the landscape. The shrub tolerates trimming, making it suitable for both formal, manicured hedges and natural screens. Pruning controls size and promotes denser foliage, particularly at the base of the plant. Techniques involve making reduction cuts, which shorten branches back to a lateral branch or a leaf node to direct future growth.
To maintain density or revitalize an older, leggy plant, renewal pruning involves removing the oldest, thickest canes near the ground. The best time to prune is in the late winter or early spring before new growth begins. Alternatively, pruning can be done immediately after the spring flowering period.