Portuguese Laurel are relatively slow growing (certainly much slower than ordinary Laurel or Leylandii) and can put on up to 1ft (30cm) of growth a year if left untrimmed. Native to Spain and Portugal, Portugal Laurel is an easy to grow, densely branched shrub, with glossy green leaves that are reddish when young. Portugal Laurel Hedging Plants. Our top 10 reasons to plant a Portuguese Laurel hedge – 1. Fragrant white flowers are produced in early summer and followed by red fruits, which turn black in the fall. Portuguese Laurel, sometimes referred to as Portugal Laurel, or Prunus lusitanica to give it its proper name, is another form of laurel that has smaller, darker leaves than its cousin and can look more refined than common laurel in certain situations. Buy online. As a member of the Prunus genus, the benefits of attaining a Portuguese Laurel hedge are plentiful. Yellowing Leaves on a Portuguese Laurel. Apr1985 Posts: 4. Its dense growth will ensure privacy, and is ideal for shaping. Prunus lusitanica . May 2016 in Plants. I've just planted 20 metres of portugese laurel. Cherry or Common Laurel (Prunus laurocerasus ‘Rotundifolia’) up to 60cm (2ft) per year Portugal Laurel (Prunus lusitanica) up to 45cm (18 inches) per year Bay Laurel (Laurus nobilis) up to 40cm (16 inches) per year. They aren't bushy plants currently and predominantly are one main stem. It’s also very fast growing - 30 to 60cm per year is to be expected, particularly if you use a plant feed - which means that it will need pruning several times a year to keep it under control and looking its best. This hedging plant does not exactly possess the "Formula 1" growth rate of the Leylandii, you can realistically expect it to grow 1ft a year. The Portuguese laurel has a growth rate of 45.7cm per year; therefore, it is not as fast-growing as a laurel tree, but it will still form a good hedge within a reasonable period of time. Portugal Laurel. When Portuguese laurel's (Prunus lusitanica) evergreen leaves turn yellow, something may be seriously amiss. 40 plants at about 2 to 2.5 feet high. With large, leathery, dark green leaves, Prunus laurocerasus foliage is superior to that of the Leylandii, It is more attractive and will reflect extra light into your garden due to sheen on the leaves upper surface. The polished, dark green leaves sit on the end of vivid maroon stems. Delivery to all parts of the UK They are more formal in appearance with their dark green, medium sized pointed foliage set against red stems. Hi all. 2. They are slower growing, you would get 1/2ft of growth a year. Once the hedge has reached its desired height it should be trimmed at that height accordingly to maintain its … Portuguese Laurel has received the reputable Award of Garden Merit by the Royal Horticultural Society. We achieve the above growth rates when growing laurel on our nursery. Spacing Portuguese laurel should be planted 61 to 91cm apart. Prunus lusitanica - Portuguese Laurel has all the desirable properties of Cherry Laurel but has a smaller, pointed leaf.