The desire to accelerate the growth of a laurel hedge or specimen is common, as these plants, such as English Laurel (Prunus laurocerasus) or Bay Laurel (Laurus nobilis), typically exhibit a moderate annual growth rate. Achieving a faster, denser screen requires implementing specific horticultural practices beyond basic care. Maximizing a laurel’s potential for rapid development depends on establishing an optimal environment, providing targeted nutrients, and employing strategic pruning methods. These techniques fuel the plant’s natural vigor, transforming a moderate growth pattern into an accelerated one.
Optimizing Soil and Location
The groundwork for rapid laurel growth begins with selecting the appropriate planting site and ensuring the soil structure is conducive to root health. Laurel shrubs perform best in full sun, though they tolerate partial shade, which typically results in a slower growth rate. Consistent light availability is a primary driver for the photosynthesis needed to produce new growth.
Soil composition must prioritize excellent drainage, as laurels are highly susceptible to root problems in waterlogged conditions. Heavy clay soil should be amended with significant organic matter, such as compost or well-rotted manure, to improve aeration and permeability. The ideal soil pH for most laurels is slightly acidic to neutral (5.5 to 7.5), which facilitates efficient nutrient uptake.
When planting, proper spacing is important, particularly for hedge growth, as overcrowding restricts air circulation and nutrient competition slows development. The planting hole should be dug wide enough to allow the roots to spread out naturally. The top of the root ball must be level with the surrounding soil surface to prevent the stem from rotting and encourage robust initial root establishment.
Targeted Nutrition for Accelerated Growth
Once the environmental foundation is set, specific nutrient application provides the necessary building blocks to increase the laurel’s growth speed. Nitrogen is the macronutrient most directly responsible for vegetative growth, promoting lush, green foliage. Fertilizers with a higher first number in the NPK ratio, such as a 20-10-10 or a balanced 20-20-20 blend, are effective choices.
The application timing must align with the plant’s active growth cycles to maximize the benefit of the fertilizer. The first feeding should occur in early spring, just as the laurel is emerging from winter dormancy and beginning its primary flush of growth. A second application in mid-summer will sustain this accelerated development.
Either granular or liquid formulations can be used. Granular, slow-release fertilizers offer sustained nutrient delivery over several months. Liquid feeds provide immediate nutrient availability for a quick boost, but they require more frequent application. Micronutrients, such as iron and magnesium, are important to prevent chlorosis (yellowing of the leaves), which inhibits photosynthetic efficiency and slows overall growth.
Pruning Techniques to Promote Vigor
Strategic pruning is a powerful tool for encouraging faster and denser growth in laurel shrubs. The act of cutting stimulates dormant buds, redirecting the plant’s energy from existing growth points to new shoots. This process, known as breaking apical dominance, results in a bushier, more vigorous structure.
The best time for a rejuvenation or hard-pruning cut is during late winter or very early spring, just before the main growth spurt begins. For routine shaping and promoting density, light trimming can be performed in late spring or early summer after the plant has flowered. This timing allows the new growth to harden off before the onset of winter.
When pruning, cuts should be made cleanly with sharp tools, positioned just above an outward-facing bud or a lateral branch. This directional cut encourages subsequent growth to move outward, contributing to a denser canopy. Regular, light tip-pruning throughout the growing season ensures the laurel develops multiple new shoots rather than focusing solely on lengthening a few main leaders.