Laurel

A fast-growing evergreen, laurel has large, shiny, bright green leaves. Laurel hedges grow well in shade, are excellent for screening and can be pruned to any height, although if uncontrolled they will ultimately grow to 4.57m (15ft). The Common (Cherry) Laurel (Prunus laurocerasus) grows faster than the Portugal laurel (Prunus lusitanica),which is an evergreen with narrower leaves in a rich shade of dark green.

The Spotted laurel (Aucuba japonica), although looking similar, is not a true laurel. It is a rounded, evergreen, shade-loving shrub with glossy leaves marked with yellow spots. In spring it bears small purple-red flowers and later red berries. It can take a certain amount of sun, but in deep shade it is invaluable, and it also tolerates soils, drought, pollution, wind, and a sloping site as well as surviving foraging deer! 

There are many other flowering evergreens that make interesting and unusual hedges. Evergreen Laurustinus (Viburnum tinus) has early pink buds that open to creamy white flowers sometimes followed by blue berries.

Mexican orange (Choisya ternata) has white flowers and glossy evergreen leaves that smell of orange peel when pruned, and does well in sun or shade. Without clipping the shrub will grow 3m (10ft) tall and 2.42m (8ft) feet wide. Try planting a hedge of variety ‘sundance’ for a ribbon of sunshine in winter.

Hollies and the other shrubs are valuable for screening. Firethorns (Pyracantha) are a popular choice for prickly hedges and screens and have showy red, orange or yellow berries. This is a good choice for wildlife in the garden.

Consider also whether you really need an evergreen screen. Perhaps you want to screen a view that you only see in the warmer months, so you can broaden your choices with deciduous, flowering shrubs for added colour and fragrance. A rose hedge of with sweetly scented flowers and red autumn hips is unsurpassable. And if your garden is too tiny to lose part of the border to shrubs, why not save space by growing creepers and ivies on a wire fence or frame.

Our staff at Cleeve nursery can give you tips, choices and alternatives.