If you’re planning to add laurels to your garden, one of the first questions you’ll have is how tall do laurels grow. These versatile plants are famous for reaching impressive heights, but the exact size depends heavily on the specific type you choose. Getting this right is key to placing them perfectly in your landscape.
Laurels, known for their glossy evergreen leaves and fast growth, can serve as everything from a small hedge to a towering tree. Understanding their potential size helps you avoid future headaches, like a shrub blocking a window or outgrowing its space. Let’s look at what you can expect from these popular plants.
How Tall Do Laurels Grow
The simple answer is that laurels can grow from 4 feet to over 40 feet tall. That’s a huge range! The final height is determined by the species, the growing conditions, and how you prune it. Here’s a quick guide to some common laurels and their typical mature heights.
- Cherry Laurel (Prunus laurocerasus): This is one of the most popular hedging laurels. It typically reaches 15 to 30 feet tall and wide if left unpruned. For a neat hedge, it’s usually maintained at 6 to 10 feet.
- Portugal Laurel (Prunus lusitanica): A bit more refined, it grows slower to a mature height of 15 to 20 feet. It can be trained as a small tree or a dense hedge.
- Bay Laurel (Laurus nobilis): The culinary bay leaf plant. In a pot, it stays small, but planted in the ground in a warm climate, it can become a tree of 30 to 40 feet or more.
- Spotted Laurel (Aucuba japonica): A different genus but often called a laurel. It’s a shrub that stays much shorter, usually around 6 to 10 feet tall.
- Mountain Laurel (Kalmia latifolia): A beautiful native shrub, it grows slowly to a rounded shape of 5 to 15 feet tall.
Key Factors That Influence Laurel Height
Just because a plant has a potential height doesn’t mean yours will hit that mark. Several factors in your garden play a huge role.
Sunlight and Location
Laurels generally grow fastest and densest in full sun to partial shade. A cherry laurel in deep shade will become leggy as it stretches for light and may not reach its full height potential. More sun usually means more robust growth.
Soil Quality and Drainage
These plants thrive in well-drained, fertile soil. They dislike having “wet feet.” Poor, compacted soil will stunt their growth significantly. Amending the soil with compost at planting time gives them a great start for reaching those impressive heights.
Watering and Feeding
Consistent watering, especially in the first two years and during dry spells, is crucial for establishment and growth. An annual feed with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in spring can also encourage healthy growth. But avoid over-feeding, as this can lead to weak, sappy growth.
Your Pruning Regime
This is the factor you control most directly. Regular pruning will keep a laurel at any desired height below its natural maximum. A neglected laurel will quickly shoot upwards and outwards.
Managing Height Through Pruning and Training
You are not at the mercy of your laurel’s growth habits. With proper pruning, you can manage its size and shape effectively. Here’s how to do it right.
- Timing is Everything: The best time for major pruning is late winter or early spring, just before new growth starts. You can also do a light trim in late summer to tidy up.
- Use the Right Tools: Use sharp, clean bypass pruners for small branches and loppers or a pruning saw for thicker ones. For large hedges, electric hedge trimmers make the job easier.
- How to Prune a Laurel Hedge: Start by trimming the sides so the base is slightly wider than the top. This “batter” allows sunlight to reach the lower branches, preventing a bare bottom. Then, cut the top to your desired height.
- Renovating an Overgrown Laurel: Don’t be afraid to cut back an overgrown plant hard. Laurels are tough and can regenerate from old wood. In spring, cut stems back by one-third to one-half. You may sacrifice flowers for a season, but the plant will recover with dense, new growth.
Choosing the Right Laurel for Your Space
Selecting the correct type from the beginning is the easiest way to manage height. Ask yourself these questions before you buy.
- What is the purpose? (Tall screen, low hedge, specimen tree?)
- How much space do I have vertically and horizontally?
- How much maintenance am I willing to do? A slower-growing Portugal Laurel needs less frequent trimming than a vigorous Cherry Laurel.
For small gardens or low hedges, consider the compact ‘Otto Luyken’ or ‘Zabeliana’ cultivars of Cherry Laurel, which stay around 3-4 feet tall. For a quick, tall screen, the standard ‘Rotundifolia’ is a classic choice, though it will need regular trimming.
Common Problems That Can Stunt Growth
Sometimes, a laurel isn’t growing as tall as it should due to pests, disease, or planting errors. Keep an eye out for these issues.
Poor Planting Practices
Planting too deep is a common mistake. The root flare (where the trunk widens at the base) should be visible at the soil surface. Also, ensure the planting hole is wide enough to encourage roots to spread out into the native soil.
Pests and Diseases
Shot Hole Disease: This fungal disease causes holes in the leaves and can defoliate the plant, weakening it. Improve air circulation and avoid overhead watering to prevent it.
Vine Weevil: The grubs eat the roots, which can severely stunt or even kill the plant. Look for notched leaf edges (adult damage) and use nematodes if grubs are found in the soil.
Scale Insects: These sap-sucking pests can cover stems and leaves, causing yellowing and reduced vigor.
Weather Damage
Severe winters can cause die-back on some laurels, especially Bay Laurel. Frost-damaged shoots should be pruned out in spring to encourage new growth. In very cold areas, consider providing winter protection.
FAQ: Your Laurel Height Questions Answered
How fast do laurels grow per year?
Growth rates vary. A Cherry Laurel can grow 1-2 feet per year under ideal conditions. Portugal Laurel is slower at about 1 foot per year. Bay Laurel is moderate once established.
Can I keep a laurel small?
Absolutely. Regular pruning is the key. You can maintain most laurel hedges at 4-6 feet indefinitely with an annual trim. For a single shrub, selective pruning can control its size.
What is the tallest laurel variety?
The Bay Laurel (Laurus nobilis) has the greatest potential height, often reaching 30-40 feet as a tree. In very favorable conditions, some old specimens can grow even taller.
How tall do laurel hedges normally get?
Most people maintain a formal laurel hedge between 6 and 12 feet tall. An unpruned hedge of Cherry Laurel could eventually form a dense thicket over 15 feet tall.
Do laurels have deep roots?
They have a fibrous, spreading root system rather than a very deep taproot. Most roots are in the top 12-24 inches of soil. This means they can compete with other plants for water and nutrients nearby.
When should I plant a laurel for best growth?
The best time to plant is in autumn or early spring. This gives the roots time to establish in cool, moist soil before the stress of summer heat or winter cold, helping them achieve those impressive heights faster.
In conclusion, knowing how tall do laurels grow empowers you to make the best choice for your garden. Whether you want a manageable hedge or a stately evergreen tree, there’s a laurel to fit the bill. Remember, your control over sunlight, soil, water, and, most importantly, pruning shears, will ultimately determine the final height of these garden favourites. With the right care, your laurels will thrive and provide structure and beauty for many years to come.