Prunus l. 'Rotundifolia '100- 120cm

Prunus laurocerasus 'Rotundifolia' Care Guide

Prunus laurocerasus 'Rotundifolia,' commonly known as Cherry Laurel, is a popular evergreen shrub ideal for hedging and screening. With its glossy, broad green leaves and dense growth, it creates a stunning and effective privacy barrier in gardens. This hardy plant is fast-growing and relatively low maintenance, making it a perfect choice for gardeners looking for quick coverage and year-round foliage. This care guide will help you ensure that your Prunus 'Rotundifolia' remains healthy and attractive for years to come.

Planting and Growing Conditions for Prunus 'Rotundifolia'

Cherry Laurel is known for its adaptability to a range of growing conditions. However, to achieve the best results, it’s essential to follow these guidelines:

• Location: Prunus 'Rotundifolia' prefers a sunny or partially shaded location but can also tolerate deep shade, making it versatile for various garden spots.
• Soil: This shrub thrives in well-drained soil, though it can adapt to different soil types, including clay, loam, and sandy soils. Adding compost or organic matter during planting will enhance soil fertility and drainage.
• Watering: Although it is relatively drought-tolerant once established, it benefits from regular watering during its first year of growth. After that, only water during extended dry spells.

Maintenance and Pruning

Proper care and regular maintenance will keep your Prunus 'Rotundifolia' looking vibrant and growing healthily.

• Pruning: This shrub responds well to pruning. Trim it lightly once or twice a year to maintain its shape and size. For formal hedging, prune in early spring or late summer to encourage denser growth.
• Hard Pruning: If the plant becomes too large, hard pruning can be done in early spring before new growth starts. This will promote a thicker and fuller shrub as it regrows.
• Mulching: Apply a thick layer of mulch around the base of the shrub in early spring to conserve moisture, suppress weeds, and improve soil quality.

Feeding and Fertilizing

Feeding your Prunus 'Rotundifolia' will encourage lush foliage and robust growth. Follow these tips for optimal nutrition:

• Fertilizer: Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in the spring to boost growth. A general-purpose fertilizer will suffice, but you can also opt for a specific shrub fertilizer if needed.
• Frequency: One application in early spring is usually sufficient, but for stronger growth, you can feed again in mid-summer.

Height and Spread

Understanding the potential size of Prunus 'Rotundifolia' is important for planning your garden design, especially when using it for hedging or screening.

• Height: When grown from a 100–120 cm starting size, Prunus 'Rotundifolia' can eventually reach a height of 4–6 meters (13–20 feet) if left unpruned.
• Spread: The shrub has a spread of 2–3 meters (6.5–10 feet), forming a dense and broad canopy, ideal for privacy hedges.

Light and Temperature Tolerance

Prunus laurocerasus 'Rotundifolia' is quite hardy and performs well under different lighting and temperature conditions.

• Light: This plant prefers full sun but can thrive in partial or even full shade. When planted in full sun, it will grow faster and produce denser foliage, but it will still perform well in shadier spots.
• Temperature: Cherry Laurel is frost-hardy and can withstand temperatures as low as -15°C (5°F), making it suitable for cooler climates.

Common Pests and Diseases

Prunus 'Rotundifolia' is generally hardy and resistant to pests and diseases, but some issues may occasionally arise.

• Pests: The most common pest is vine weevil, which can cause damage to the roots. If detected, treat the plant with a specific pesticide to control the problem.
• Diseases: Cherry Laurel may suffer from powdery mildew in humid conditions, particularly in shaded areas. Ensure good air circulation around the plant by avoiding overcrowding and trimming excess growth. Root rot can also occur if the soil is poorly drained.

Planting and Spacing

When planting Prunus 'Rotundifolia' as a hedge, proper spacing is crucial to ensure that each shrub has enough room to grow and develop fully.

• Spacing: For hedge planting, space the shrubs 60–90 cm (2–3 feet) apart. This will allow them to grow together and form a dense, continuous hedge over time.
• Planting: Dig a hole twice the width of the root ball and as deep as the container the shrub came in. Place the plant in the hole, backfill with soil, and water thoroughly. Adding compost to the soil will help provide essential nutrients for the plant’s initial growth phase.

Benefits of Prunus 'Rotundifolia' in Your Garden

Prunus 'Rotundifolia' offers many benefits, making it a popular choice for both residential and commercial landscaping projects.

• Privacy: Its dense growth and large leaves provide excellent coverage for privacy hedges and noise reduction.
• Evergreen Foliage: The shrub retains its glossy, dark-green leaves throughout the year, adding year-round interest and beauty to the garden.
• Windbreak: Its dense structure and fast growth make it an effective windbreak in exposed gardens.
• Low Maintenance: Once established, Cherry Laurel is low maintenance, requiring minimal care beyond regular pruning and occasional watering during dry spells.

Key Maintenance Tips for Prunus 'Rotundifolia'

• Water regularly during the first year: Ensure consistent watering to help establish the plant. After that, it is drought-tolerant and only needs occasional watering.
• Prune to shape and control size: Trim the shrub in spring and summer to maintain its shape, and perform hard pruning in early spring if necessary.
• Fertilize in spring: Use a balanced fertilizer to promote lush, healthy growth.
• Check for pests and diseases: Monitor for signs of vine weevils and powdery mildew, treating as necessary.

Conclusion

Prunus laurocerasus 'Rotundifolia' is a robust and versatile shrub, perfect for creating hedges, screens, or standalone specimens in the garden. Its dense foliage, adaptability to various growing conditions, and fast growth make it an excellent choice for gardeners seeking year-round greenery and privacy. By following this care guide, your Prunus 'Rotundifolia' will thrive and continue to add beauty and structure to your landscape for many years

• Size
  100- 120cm C7.5 ltr - P26

We currently only deliver within the island of Ireland, other countries can be quoted for by contacting [email protected] or via telephone on 06964084
 

Standard Delivery is FREE on orders over €250*

All standard deliveries will be completed within 5-7 working days via Fastway Couriers, any delay to this delivery time, the customer will be notified by One of our staff.

The in-Store delivery charge will vary compared with online, in-store delivery charge is done on a case by case basis. 

* Only mainland Ireland addresses qualify for free delivery.
 

Live Plants Delivery

Our live plants are packed with care and diligence by our staff, our horticulturists review each plant before despatch to ensure quality is maintained.
Live Plant delivery charges are not calculated on weight but on the space required per package to ensure safe delivery, so delivery charges may vary as some plants require more space than others when packed.
All live plants are despatched within 3-5 working days where possible, our couriers aim to deliver within 48 hours of despatch from our Garden Centre to allow the plant to arrive in healthy condition.
 

Click & Collect

Can’t wait for delivery? Why not try our FREE Click & Collect service? Simply make your purchase online and collect it from our store located in Croagh Co. Limerick. Our staff will contact you by phone when your order is ready for collection (Please allow 24 hours minimum). When collecting your item, call the store on 069-64084. We will then load into your car as required. This service is available in-store 9am – 6pm Monday – Saturday (No collections on Sundays)

Click here for more information about our shipping conditions.

You can pay your online order either by credit card or via Paypal.
If you have any further questions about the online order payment please contact us via ­069 640 84 or mail.