How Tall Do Skip Laurels Grow

If you’re planning a hedge or a screen, one of your first questions is likely how tall do skip laurels grow. Understanding their potential size is key to placing them correctly in your garden and avoiding future headaches. This quick guide gives you the clear numbers and growth tips you need.

Skip laurels, a popular cultivar of cherry laurel (Prunus laurocerasus ‘Schipkaensis’), are prized for their robust, evergreen foliage and relatively fast growth. They’re a go-to for many homeowners looking for privacy without the wait. Let’s look at what you can expect from these versatile shrubs.

At full maturity, a skip laurel typically reaches a height of 10 to 12 feet. In ideal conditions, with perfect soil and ample water, some can even stretch to 15 feet tall. Their spread is also substantial, usually 6 to 8 feet wide, so they form a dense, substantial presence in the landscape.

It’s important to remember this is their natural, unpruned potential. The great news is that skip laurels respond very well to pruning. This means you have significant control. You can easily maintain them at a lower height, such as 6 or 8 feet, for a more formal hedge or to fit a specific space in your yard.

Factors That Influence Skip Laurel Height

Not every skip laurel will hit 12 feet. Several key factors in your garden determine how tall and healthy they become.

Sunlight: They perform best in partial shade to full sun. More sun generally leads to denser growth and can contribute to a slightly faster rate of growth.
Soil Quality: Well-drained, slightly acidic, and nutrient-rich soil is ideal. Poor, compacted, or constantly wet soil will stunt their growth and can lead to root problems.
Watering: Consistent moisture, especially in the first two years and during dry spells, is crucial for establishing a strong root system that supports vertical growth.
Climate Zone: Skip laurels are hardy in USDA zones 6-8. In the warmer end of their range (zone 8), they may grow slightly faster. In zone 6, growth might be a bit slower but they remain evergreen.
Spacing: Planting them too close together forces them to compete for resources, which can limit their ultimate size. Proper spacing allows each plant to reach its full potential.

Skip Laurel Growth Rate Per Year

This is where skip laurels really shine for impatient gardeners. They are considered fast-growing shrubs. On average, you can expect about 1 to 2 feet of new growth per year once they are established.

The first year after planting is mostly about root establishment. You might see less top growth. By the second and third years, with good care, they’ll really start putting on height and filling in. This rapid growth is what makes them such an effective privacy screen in a relatively short time.

How to Manage and Control Their Height

You are not at the mercy of your skip laurels’ natural height. Pruning is your best tool for management. Here’s a simple guide.

Best Time to Prune: The ideal time is late winter or early spring, just before new growth starts. You can also do a light trim in late summer to neaten them up, but avoid fall pruning as new growth could be damaged by frost.
Tools: Use sharp, clean bypass pruners for smaller branches and loppers or a hedge trimmer for larger, established hedges. Disinfect tools between plants to prevent disease spread.
Method for Height Reduction: To reduce overall height, cut the main leader (the tallest central stem) and the tallest branches back to a point just above a leaf node or a side branch. Never cut back into bare, leafless wood, as laurels can be slow to regrow from old wood.
Shaping a Hedge: When trimming a hedge, make the base slightly wider than the top. This “A” shape allows sunlight to reach the lower leaves, preventing them from becoming thin and leggy.

Common Mistakes That Limit Growth

Avoid these errors to ensure your skip laurels reach there healthy size.

Planting Too Deep: The root flare (where the trunk widens at the base) should be visible at the soil surface. Burying it can cause stem rot and suffocate the roots.
Over or Under-Watering: “Soggy feet” from poor drainage is a major killer. Conversely, letting them dry out completely during hot summers stresses the plant.
Incorrect Fertilizing: A balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring is plenty. Over-fertilizing, especially with high-nitrogen formulas, can force weak, sappy growth that’s prone to pest damage.
Ignoring Pests: Keep an eye out for scale insects or borers. A stressed plant is more susceptible, and a severe infestation can weaken growth.

Planting for Optimal Growth

Getting it right from the start sets your skip laurels up for success. Follow these steps.

Choose the Right Spot: Ensure the location has good drainage and receives at least 4-6 hours of sunlight daily.
Dig a Proper Hole: Make it twice as wide as the root ball but no deeper. Roughen the sides of the hole to help roots expand.
Amend the Soil: Mix some compost or aged manure with the native soil you removed. This improves drainage and provides nutrients.
Plant and Water: Place the plant in the hole, backfill with your soil mix, and water thoroughly to settle the soil and eliminate air pockets.
Mulch: Apply a 2-3 inch layer of mulch around the base (not touching the trunk) to retain moisture and regulate soil temperature.

Skip Laurel vs. Other Laurel Heights

It’s helpful to compare skip laurels to other common laurel varieties.

English Laurel (Prunus laurocerasus): Much larger, growing 15-30 feet tall and wide. Skip laurel is often chosen as a more compact alternative.
Otto Luyken Laurel: A dwarf variety, typically staying around 3-4 feet tall but spreading wider. It’s for low borders, not tall screens.
Zabel Laurel: Similar in size to skip laurel but with a narrower, more upright habit, making it good for tighter spaces.

When Will My Skip Laurel Reach Full Height?

Given their growth rate of 1-2 feet per year, a skip laurel planted from a 5-gallon container (usually about 3-4 feet tall) will likely approach its near-mature height of 10-12 feet in about 5 to 7 years. Remember, growth isn’t indefinite; it will slow as the plant reaches its genetic potential in your specific garden conditions.

FAQ Section

How fast do skip laurels grow?
They are fast-growing, typically adding 1 to 2 feet of height per year once established.

What is the maximum height of a skip laurel?
While 10-12 feet is standard, they can occasionally reach up to 15 feet in perfect, undisturbed conditions.

Can I keep skip laurel small?
Yes, absolutely. Regular pruning allows you to maintain them at almost any height you prefer, such as 4, 6, or 8 feet tall.

How wide do they get?
Their spread is usually 6 to 8 feet, so be sure to account for this width when planting near paths or property lines.

Are skip laurels good for privacy hedges?
Yes, they are excellent due to their fast growth, dense evergreen foliage, and responsiveness to pruning for a tidy look.

By understanding how tall skip laurels grow and the factors that influence them, you can make informed decisions for your garden. With proper planting, basic care, and timely pruning, you’ll have a beautiful, thriving green screen for years to come. Just be sure to give them enough room to reach their desired width, and don’t be afraid to get out the pruners to keep their height in check.