If you’re planning on pruning your Portuguese laurel, there are a few things you should keep in mind. First of all, Portugese laurels are fast-growing plants, so you’ll need to prune them regularly to keep them from getting too big. Secondly, they have a tendency to produce a lot of suckers, so you’ll need to remove these from time to time to prevent the plant from becoming too sprawling. Finally, Portugese laurels are very tolerant of pruning, so feel free to cut them back as much as you like. With a little care and attention, you can keep your Portuguese laurel looking neat and tidy for many years to come.
No time to read? Prune Portuguese Laurel from May to June!
It is recommended to prune the Portuguese laurel during the off-season, between spring and summer (the exact date can vary depending on the geographical location). This is usually in May or June. Always prune before flowering.
Pruning Portuguese laurel is important to maintain its shape and keep it healthy. It helps prevent the plants from becoming overgrown and encourages more blooms. Regular pruning will help ensure that your Portuguese laurel remains beautiful for many years to come.
To prune or not to prune
Generally speaking, Portuguese laurel does not need to be pruned if you want to grow a huge tree. Without pruning it can grow to a height of about 10 metres. If you want a neat hedge or a nice laurel tree, one pruning every season will suffice.
The Portuguese laurel tolerates hard pruning well, as it is a very undemanding and hardy plant. The regrowth will start with the branches that don’t have buds. The more you cut back, the thicker the new foliage becomes. After pruning, it is also important to apply some fertilizer for Portuguese Laurel and mulch.
How quickly Portuguese laurel grows?
The Portuguese laurel is one of the fastest growing hedge types. In the first year after pruning, you can expect growth of 30-50 centimetres. The time to prune again is when the Portuguese laurel reaches its desired size or if it becomes too overgrown and unruly.
Missed the pruning?
If not prunned before mid-July, the laurel will produce flowers. Later on, berries will set in which will attract all native birds. Pruning too late or too early can also cause branch dieback, so it is important to time it correctly.
What to prune with
Pruning can be done with garden shears, secateurs and hedgetrimmers. Care should be taken to avoid damaging the plant and protect yourself from any sharp objects. When pruning, it is important to use a sharp instrument for an even cut. Start by removing any dead or diseased stems with your secateurs and then start shaping the plant. Remove any shoots that grow wider than the others, as well as any crossing branches.
Avoid pruning in strong cold weather!
Pruning in winter can be fatal to your Portuguese laurel, as it won’t have enough time to recover before the cold weather arrives.
