Call us: 0800 843 752Free shipping for orders $150 or over
Gift Vouchers

portuguese laurel hedge spacing

Choosing the right portuguese laurel hedge spacing is crucial for creating a dense, attractive living screen with Prunus lusitanica (Portuguese Laurel). Spacing has a major impact on how quickly your hedge fills in, how healthy it remains, and the ongoing maintenance required. Whether you’re after privacy, a windbreak, or a formal evergreen feature, understanding the ideal plant intervals will help you achieve a lush, low-maintenance boundary faster.

Prunus lusitanica

5 from 2 customers

Prunus lusitanica, commonly known as the Portuguese Laurel, is a large shrub that is widely grown across the world. It features dark red stems that bear lush, dense, and dark green leaves. The white flowers are small and fragrant, followed by small, dark purple berries. It typically grows to 5 m tall and 4 m wide and can be trimmed as necessary. Prunus lusitanica is an excellent plant for a large garden. It is commonly used as a backdrop for smaller plants, planted for screening and shelter, used for topiary, or included in a “white” garden. Landscape designers favour Portuguese Laurels for their elegance and versatility.

Portuguese Laurel (Prunus lusitanica) standard trees bordering a driveway.
  • Suited to regions:
    Subtropical, Temperate
  • Plant type:
    Shrubs
  • Height:
    5.00 m
  • Spread:
    4.00 m
  • Flowering time:
    Summer
  • Garden uses:
    Hedging, Pool areas, Screening, Topiary
  • Garden styles:
    Backyard, City & Courtyard, Cottage, Formal, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern, White
prunus-accolade-
Most Popular

Prunus Accolade

Prunus Accolade is a variety of Flowering Cherry that features masses of semi-double flowers. The frilly and pink blooms are borne in clusters...

From$299.92
prunus-amanogawa-
Most Popular

Prunus Amanogawa

Prunus Amanogawa is a variety of Flowering Cherry that features masses of pale-pink flowers through spring. The mildly fragrant, semi-double flowers...

From$343.89
prunus-awanui-3
Most Popular

Prunus Awanui

Prunus Awanui is a variety of Flowering Cherry that features masses of fragrant, pink flowers through spring. This deciduous tree grows with a vase...

From$343.89
prunus-falling-snow-
Most Popular

Prunus Falling Snow

Prunus Falling Snow is a variety of Flowering Cherry grown for its pendulous growth and fantastic flowering. It features masses of single, white...

From$343.89
prunus-felix-jury-
Most Popular

Prunus Felix Jury

Prunus Felix Jury is a variety of Flowering Cherry that features masses of large, claret-red blossoms in spring which are held as pendulous clusters...

From$432.79
Hydrangea 'Madame Plumecoq' shrub with pink flowers.
Most Popular

Hydrangea Madame Plumecoq

Hydrangea 'Madame Plumecoq' is a graceful lacecap hydrangea known for its soft pink outer florets and delicate flower structure. Blooming from early...

From$29.63
A lush Coprosma repens shrub growing in a shaded position.
Most Popular

Coprosma repens (Mirror Plant)

Coprosma repens, also known as Taupata or Mirror Plant, is a robust New Zealand native shrub featuring lush, glossy green foliage. Growing up to 3...

From$21.53
azalea-inga-1
Most Popular

Azalea 'Inga'

Azalea 'Inga' is a beautiful evergreen azalea that produces masses of bright pink flowers during spring. The vibrant blooms sit above glossy green...

From$26.93
Buxus 'Graham Blandy' boxwood shrubs growing as a cluster.
Most Popular

Buxus 'Graham Blandy'

Buxus 'Graham Blandy' is a distinctive, upright boxwood cultivar prized in New Zealand for its narrow, columnar form and year-round evergreen...

From$311.73
Callistemon 'Rocky Rambler' ground cover plant with creeping stems with green foliage and red flowers.
Most Popular

Callistemon 'Rocky Rambler' (Red Bottlebrush)

Callistemon 'Rocky Rambler' is a compact, spreading bottlebrush known for its vibrant red flower spikes and fine evergreen foliage. This variety...

From$26.93
Prunus lusitanica

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring Prunus or Evergreen Shrubs.

Search Prunus lusitanica

Why Portuguese Laurel Hedge Spacing Matters

Prunus lusitanica is a popular hedging plant in New Zealand gardens thanks to its glossy dark green leaves, compact growth, and ability to tolerate trimming. Correct portuguese laurel hedge spacing ensures your plants establish strong root systems, receive ample light and air, and grow together to form a solid hedge—without competing too fiercely for sunlight and nutrients.

Recommended Spacing for Portuguese Laurel Hedges

For most gardens, a spacing of 80 cm to 1 metre between each Prunus lusitanica plant delivers a thick, dense hedge in 2 to 3 seasons. If you want a faster result or are planting smaller grade trees, you can reduce the spacing to as little as 60 cm apart. For formal hedges above 2 metres, increasing the spacing to 1.2 metres can be appropriate, as mature Portuguese Laurel plants comfortably fill larger gaps over time.

Staggering two rows is another option for those seeking an extra dense screen or sound barrier. In this case, plant in a zig-zag pattern, spacing each plant about 1 metre apart within the row and 50–70 cm between the rows.

Tips for Planting and Establishment

Prepare the site by thoroughly weeding, adding compost, and ensuring well-drained soil. When planting, dig holes twice as wide as the root ball and set plants at the same depth they were growing in their nursery containers. Water deeply after planting and mulch to retain moisture—Portuguese Laurel appreciates consistent watering during its first year, especially if your garden site is exposed.

Prune tips after planting to encourage bushy growth at the base. Regular trimming in late spring and again in mid-summer keeps your hedge looking its best and encourages rapid infill.

Complementing Your Hedge

A Portuguese Laurel hedge provides a lush green backdrop for colourful trees and shrubs. Pair it with spring-flowering cherry trees like Prunus Accolade, upright Prunus Amanogawa, or the airy white blooms of Prunus Falling Snow to create contrast and seasonal interest. For a burst of colour at the base of your hedge, try integrating Rhododendron Vireya 'Just Peachy' or textural evergreens like Hebe hectorii (Veronica hectorii).

If you’re after native structure or tough accents, Discaria toumatou, Bouvardia Humboldtii (Bouvardia), or beautiful Lophomyrtus traversii all complement the formal look and resilience of Prunus lusitanica.

Achieving a Dense, Healthy Hedge

Getting your portuguese laurel hedge spacing right is the key to creating a thriving screen that flourishes for years to come. With proper preparation, regular trimming, and a well-planned layout, your Prunus lusitanica hedge will quickly become a highlight of your garden—providing privacy, structure, and year-round beauty. For more garden inspiration, explore our range of outstanding feature trees and companion plants suited to New Zealand conditions.


Contact us

Whether you need assistance finding the plant you’re looking for or you simply want to know more about who we are and what we do, we invite you to get in touch with us today. A member of The Plant Company team will get back in touch as soon as possible.

Our garden favourites Avocado 'Hass' and Zephyranthes candida get lots of love, but don’t miss out on a few lesser-known delights: Anigozanthos Royal Mist, Hibiscus 'Jeanne D Arc', and Hebe 'Flame'.
–The Plant Company

Explore Garden Inspiration

Sign up to receive a free $10 Voucher You won’t be bombarded with emails, just titbits of quality information from time to time Sign up
Free shipping on orders over $150!

Join our community of happy customers.

4.9

429 Google reviews