The laurel is highly valued for its dense, glossy, evergreen foliage that provides year-round appeal. Although the leaves remain on the plant throughout the year, the growth of new stems and leaves, along with the reproductive cycle of flowers and berries, follows a distinct seasonal pattern. Understanding this timeline is key to successful pruning and care, ensuring the plant remains healthy and vigorous.
Identifying the Common Laurel Species
The term “laurel” applies to several botanically distinct species, each with slightly varied growth habits. The most frequently encountered garden plants are the Cherry Laurel (Prunus laurocerasus), a fast-growing evergreen shrub prized for hedging, and the Portuguese Laurel (Prunus lusitanica), which features smaller, darker leaves and a more refined, upright habit.
The true laurel is the Bay Laurel (Laurus nobilis), a slower-growing evergreen tree celebrated for its aromatic culinary leaves. The Mountain Laurel (Kalmia latifolia) is a flowering shrub native to North America. These species differences result in slight variations in the timing and intensity of their peak growth periods.
The Peak Months for Vegetative Growth
For most common varieties, including Cherry and Portuguese Laurels, the primary growth flush occurs in late spring and early summer. This period, generally spanning late May through July in temperate zones, sees the most rapid extension of new stems and production of fresh, light-green foliage. This surge is triggered by consistently warmer soil temperatures and abundant moisture following spring rains.
The fast-growing Cherry Laurel can add 11 to 23 inches of height in a single year during this phase. The slower Bay Laurel typically adds a more modest 8 to 16 inches annually. A secondary flush of new growth may occur later in the season, often in late August or early September, but this period is generally shorter and less intense than the initial spring push.
Seasonal Flowering and Berry Production
The reproductive cycle of laurels follows a seasonal schedule separate from vegetative growth. Bay Laurel is one of the earliest, producing inconspicuous, yellowish-green flowers in early spring, typically between March and May. If pollinated, these develop into small, dark purple-black berries that ripen in late summer or autumn.
Cherry Laurel typically blooms in the spring, displaying racemes of small, creamy-white flowers attractive to pollinators. These flowers yield shiny, dark red fruits that mature into near-black berries by summer and autumn. The ornamental Mountain Laurel blooms slightly later, from late May to early June, known for its showy pink, white, or rose-colored flowers. Portuguese Laurel produces fragrant white flowers in late spring to early summer, followed by dark purple to black drupes.
How Climate and Care Influence Growth Timing
The specific monthly timeline for laurel growth is an average that can be significantly altered by environmental and horticultural factors. The onset of spring growth is directly tied to local microclimates and the warming of the soil, meaning plants in milder USDA hardiness zones may begin their flush as early as April. Conversely, a late spring frost can delay the start of the primary growth period in cooler regions.
Pruning practices also dramatically influence the timing and intensity of growth. Cutting the laurel hedge in late spring or early summer, just after the main flowering period, stimulates the plant to quickly produce a dense wave of new foliage to replace the removed stems. Furthermore, a lack of adequate water during the hot summer months can halt growth prematurely, causing leaves to yellow and drop.