The cherry laurel is one of the most popular hedge plants because, thanks to its large, glossy green leaves, it offers dense, evergreen privacy and noise protection. However, it is a fast-growing plant and therefore it is important to care for it properly so that it does not get out of control and take over your garden. In this article you will find out how to cut your cherry laurel and what mistakes you should avoid when cutting topiary in summer.
The fast-growing, evergreen cherry laurel tends to get wider every year and take up more and more valuable garden space. But if you follow a few tips and avoid the most common pruning mistakes, caring for it can be quite easy. Below we will explain the most important steps for the perfect topiary of the cherry laurel.
Cutting at the wrong time
When pruning a cherry laurel hedge, several mistakes can be made that can lead to a poor result. It is said that the cherry laurel can be cut at any time, but this is one of the most common mistakes in its care. If cut at the wrong time of year, it will not be able to keep its shape and if you do this in winter, the plant will respond in spring with a rapid and lush shoot and it will immediately lose its shape.
There radicalPruning should take place by the end of Februaryand then only one topiary cut is permitted until the end of September. The best time for pruning the cherry laurel hedge is between June and July. Only the new shoots that have grown out are cut to return the hedge to its original shape. The plant reacts to this with slow and less lush new growth and remains beautiful and well-groomed for longer.
Pruning too late in the fall can damage the tender new buds and make the cut edges vulnerable to frost damage.
In order not to damage the plant, also pay attention to the outside temperature and sunlight. On particularly hot and sunny days, the fresh cut surfaces can dry out very quickly, resulting in a wilting hedge.
Use inappropriate tools
When topiary your cherry laurel hedge, it is important to use the correct tools and techniques to achieve optimal results. Be aware that cherry laurel is poisonous and always wear gloves to avoid skin irritation.
Even though it is a little more time-consuming, it is best to opt for hand hedge trimmers. It should always be kept sharp and clean to reduce the risk ofInfections and fungal diseasesto reduce. This means you can be much more careful when making topiary cuts than with electric hedge trimmers and you can effectively avoid injuring the large leaves, which would otherwise turn brown and make the hedge unsightly.
Before you reach for the tools, check the cherry laurel carefully for nesting birds and wildlife that find hedges very attractive in summer.
Cutting cherry laurel: Cutting too hard and incorrect shape
Another mistake is pruning too hard, which can damage the delicate buds and slow the healing process.
Also make sure to cut at the right angle. Cutting too close or too far from an outward-facing bud can cause the new growth to go in the wrong direction, resulting in a messy and unsightly hedge. Make slanted cuts about 1/4 inch above an outward-facing bud so that the new growth grows outward properly.
Many gardeners cut the cherry laurel hedge vertically, which over time results in hedges with bare lower branches because they do not receive enough sunlight, while the upper branches are heavy and densely leafy. Instead, opt for a trapezoidal cut so that your hedge gets enough sunlight at the bottom and grows healthily.
First, remove any dead or damaged branches to encourage new growth. If the hedge has grown too dense, you may want to thin it out by removing some of the inner branches. This means more air and light can get inside.
Start the topiary on the sides and make sure that the shape tapers slightly towards the top. Remember that you want the hedge to be slightly wider at the base than at the top. To make this easier, it's best to stretch strings to serve as guidelines for a straight cut. Be careful not to remove more than a third of a branch to allow the plant to recover quickly.
Water the cherry laurel thoroughly after cutting to ensure it continues to grow healthily.
You can find more tips for pruning in autumn in the article: “Cut cherry laurel in October”
