A cherry laurel grows quickly, stays green all the time and survives local winters unscathed. He can even be persuaded by the garden shears to live as a hedge. The range of varieties is enormous, but isn't one specimen like the other? No, not at all. Therefore, do not only compare their prices, but also their properties and needs. You will be amazed at how far apart these are. Below is a brief overview of the most common types.
Cherry laurel varieties for a hedge
Prunus laurocerasus, which is the botanical name for the evergreen cherry laurel, is a popular plant for hedges of all kinds. However, of the numerous cherry laurel trees available in this country, some varieties are better suited to life as a hedge than others, which prefer to shine on their own. The special characteristics of a hedge suitable Prunus laurocerasus are:
- compact growing
- densely leafy
- cut compatible
- growth height suitable for hedges
- often fast growing
Varieties from A - K
Angustifolia a Italia
This variety belongs to the Portuguese cherry laurel and, with a growth height of 4 m, is ideally suited as a hedge plant. It grows upright with good branching, its leaves are oblong and shiny green. The winter hardiness is excellent, only the tolerance of the winter sun could be better.
Genolia
Dark green, narrow and leathery shiny leaves are the hallmark of this columnar variety. It grows very upright and only a little in width. The weak growth makes it easier to care for, since the scissors rarely have to be used. Once it has reached the desired height, it leads an existence as "the ideal hedge plant".
Greenpeace
The leaves are bright green in color and unusually serrated at the edges. In addition, this shrub is hardy, easy to care for and grows at an average rate into a beautiful display wall.
Greentorch
A very slow-growing variety that is only suitable for a permanent hedge wall. It reaches a height of up to 2.5 m and a width of about 1.5 m. With these ideal dimensions, the scissors do not have to remove much. If it does, the shrub takes it easy. Its leaves are oval and glossy.
hostelii
This is probably the most popular strain, often gracing gardens. It can also convince in the middle of a row of hedges as well as a solitary plant. The robust shrub is characterized by good site tolerance and withstands strong storms well. The growth is dense and somewhat conical. White flowers appear in May and red fruits in autumn.
Varieties of L - O
Leander
All gardeners who count hedge trimming among their favorite activities can look forward to this strain. The hardy Prunus laurocerasus grows quickly and likes to be bushy. But he also likes to have the shoots shortened and trimmed into a beautiful hedge building block.
linus
Linus grows just 1.2m in width while easily exceeding 3m in height. If there is enough space available, for example in a free-standing hedge wall, further pruning measures are unnecessary. The shrub also grows fast and densely branched.
Mano
"Square, practical, good" could be the moto of this variety. It is about 1.5 m high and wide. With a bit of skill, interesting shapes can be formed from this block. This plant, which tolerates pruning, doesn't mind the use of scissors.
Mari
Mari is a plant that forms a hedge all by itself. Both the height of about 2 m and the width are correct. The time-poor gardener will be pleased to note this. The secateurs are allowed to rust in the garden shed.
Otto Luyken
Cherry laurel 'Otto Luyken' only grows about 20 cm a year, which makes it one of the slow-growing varieties. The height also remains at a modest 1.5 m, but is always sufficient for a low hedge. Its numerous narrow, small leaves form a dense and very bushy foliage.
Varieties with P
Piri
This dwarf cherry laurel reaches a minimum height of 1 m and is therefore not suitable as a privacy screen. But if you want a low hedge, you will make a good choice with this variety in this country. It is hardy, robust and makes hardly any demands on the location. Due to its compact growth, this cherry laurel can be easily shaped with scissors. It is always worth considering as a replacement for the sensitive boxwood.
Portuguese cherry laurel
The Portuguese laurel cherry, botanically called Prunus lusitanica, resembles the real laurel in appearance. This variety has a slender but extremely compact and dense habit. The leaves are small and oblong. The stately height of 6 m is ideal for high hedges and the winter hardiness gives it a long life here in Germany.
Prudonti
A living hedge takes some time to reach its final height. But you don't always want to or can't give her this time. With the fast-growing 'Prudonti', a privacy screen can be set up quickly and then only has to be kept in shape. The shiny green leafy variety is also suitable for smaller gardens.
Varieties from R - Z
Renault Ace
This laurel cherry grows quickly and still forms an opaque hedge. Its shoots reach up to 3.5 m and the width is also impressive at 2.5 m. This variety has another plus point: it also thrives well in the shade and under large trees.
Reynvaanii
This cherry laurel is one of the few varieties that also thrive in a bad location. Even shady spots don't stop it from putting out its glossy green leaves. It grows up to 3 m high and 2 m wide.
winter starling
In the truest sense of the word, this cherry laurel variety is the star of the winter, because this robust shrub can easily cope with the freezing cold. The dark green foliage, which has a lighter tone underneath, is distributed on branches up to 2 m high, which in turn dare 1.8 m in width. Several "winter stars" united to create a hedge that also withstands prying eyes.
Zabeliana
This variety is very wide, 5 m is not uncommon. A few specimens in a row are enough to form a wide hedge. The pruning tolerance is good and the winter hardiness as well.
Nice varieties for a single place
The appearance of some Prunus laurocerasus is so impressive that they can populate the garden wonderfully as a solitary plant. Sometimes it is the shape of the leaves or their color that makes them admire. Occasionally also the beautiful and dense growth habit. So that the laurel cherry comes into its own from all sides, a single seat with plenty of space is ideal for it. But it is not a must, because many of the varieties described below also like to fit into a hedge wall.
Varieties from A - H
Ani
Ani skilfully plays with the colors when designing the leaves. These start out bright red and turn green over time. Since this variety does not measure more than 1.5 m when fully grown, it can also live in a bucket.
Caucasica
This cherry laurel bush grows very quickly while remaining opaque. Very hard winters can affect it, but it will reliably sprout again in the spring. Caucasica is resistant to many diseases and tolerates both sunny and shady locations.
Diana
The special thing about this variety is the copper-colored shoot tips, which form a nice contrast to the old, green leaves. The large, hardy shrub grows slightly funnel-shaped.
etc
The particularly dense, compact and upright growth makes this variety a suitable solitary plant in the tub. It grows very slowly, but can be cut well if necessary. The reddish shoots in combination with dark green shiny leaves make this shrub an eye-catcher.
gajo
Gajo is one of the short-growing varieties, but it is still worth buying. Due to the maximum height of 1 m, this cherry laurel plant is ideal for edging beds or as a bucket dweller on the terrace.
hibani
This variety adorns itself with gracefully elongated leaves and slightly copper-colored new shoots. She is resilient and stays fit as a fiddle even in icy winters. Although it can grow up to 3 m, this variety is also suitable for the container as a solitary plant. It is cut compatible and also cuts a good figure when trimmed.
Varieties from K - T
Cleopatra
A beautiful cherry laurel that can also decorate the terrace in a pot. It grows as a wide bush and shoots copper-red tips. Fragrant white flowers appear in May. Despite its beauty, this plant is robust and hardy, even tolerates drought and shady places.
Marbed White
This cherry laurel grows leisurely and forms a multitude of branches. The result is a dense leaf dress, which also impresses with its white marbled leaves. The bush grows up to 2.5 m.
Mischeana
Mischeana is a medium-sized variety with good winter hardiness. She is satisfied with the location assigned to her, even if this does not optimally fulfill her wishes. The foliage is dark green and the flowers can even be seen a second time in September.
novita
With its fragrant white spring blossoms, this cherry laurel is a noble sight in the garden. A loamy and well-drained garden soil is its preferred location. Undisturbed, it grows densely and up to 3 m, but voluntarily leaves the scissors on its branches. It tolerates harsh winters and shady places.
Rotundifolia
Belongs to the large-leaved varieties, offers oval and shiny green leaves. The shrub blooms in late spring with creamy-white flowers, followed by red berries in autumn. Dense and rapid growth are typical of this Prunus laurocerasus, as is resistance to strong winds.
Shipkaensis Macrophylla
Very large, dark green leaves adorn this variety. It grows very quickly to 3 by 3 m. It has good resistance to diseases as well as good winter hardiness.
Tico
Tico tolerates pruning measures, is hardy and reaches a height of about 2.5 m when fully grown. This characterizes so many varieties, so the focus here should be on the flowers. Because these are an unusual appearance due to their bronze tone.
