planting portuguese laurel

Why Choose Portuguese Laurel for Your Garden?

Portuguese Laurel brings year-round beauty and practicality to your garden. With its dense foliage and upright growth habit, it forms a superb hedge or windbreak, perfect for creating privacy, defining boundaries, or sheltering more delicate plants. Its tolerance to pruning means you can keep it formal and tight or let it grow more freely for a softer, more natural look. It’s also drought tolerant once established, making it ideal for low-maintenance gardens.

If you enjoy Prunus varieties, you might also be interested in Prunus Accolade or the gracefully upright Prunus Amanogawa for spring blossoms, or perhaps Prunus Felix Jury for unique ornamental features.

How to Plant Portuguese Laurel

Successful planting of Portuguese Laurel starts with site preparation. Choose a site in sun or part shade, with well-drained soil. Dig the planting hole twice the width of the root ball, and enrich the soil with compost for best results. Position your Portuguese Laurel so the top of the root ball is level with the ground and backfill gently, firming the soil as you go. Water deeply after planting, and mulch to retain soil moisture and suppress weeds.

If you’re creating a hedge, space the plants about 80cm apart for a tight screen, or further for a looser, informal effect. While Portuguese Laurel is relatively resilient, regular deep watering for the first year helps roots establish quickly.

Caring for Your Portuguese Laurel After Planting

Once established, Prunus lusitanica is very low-maintenance. It appreciates deep watering during dry spells in its early years, but after that, it’s remarkably self-sufficient. An annual feed in early spring with a general-purpose fertiliser will keep growth lush and healthy. Prune after flowering or in late summer to maintain your desired shape and density. Portuguese Laurel tolerates hard pruning very well, so don’t hesitate to trim as needed.

For underplanting or complementary foliage, consider shrubs like Coleonema 'Sunset Gold' (Breath Of Heaven) for golden colour or Eriocephalus africanus (Snow Bush) for silvery contrast. If you wish to introduce early or late-season interest, Ceratopetalum Alberys Red and Photinia Black Jack (Red Robin) are stunning choices.

Frequently Asked Questions About Planting Portuguese Laurel

When is the best time for planting Portuguese Laurel in New Zealand?
Autumn and early winter are ideal, allowing roots to establish before the heat of summer. However, container-grown plants can be planted year-round with a little extra care.

How quickly does Portuguese Laurel grow?
Expect 30–60cm of new growth each year in good conditions, making it one of the faster-growing evergreens for hedging.

Is Portuguese Laurel suitable for coastal gardens?
Yes, its robust nature and salt-wind tolerance make it a favourite in coastal and exposed areas.

For more inspiration, explore other Prunus and shrub favourites like Prunus Awanui, Prunus Falling Snow, or the fragrant Syringa vulgaris Sensation (Sensation Lilac). Whether you’re planting Portuguese Laurel as a statement or a screen, you’ll enjoy its timeless beauty for years to come.