Plant bare root laurel from November to March, while the plants are dormant. Pot-grown laurel can go in any month if you keep it watered, and autumn suits it best. Whichever you choose, skip days when the soil is frozen or waterlogged, and avoid planting into summer drought.
Ready to plant? Laurel hedging from our Portadown nursery
- 35–50 cm pot-grown Cherry Laurel: a budget-friendly choice for longer runs of hedge.
- 3–4 ft pot-grown Cherry Laurel: taller plants for a screen from day one.
- 40–60 cm pot-grown Portuguese Laurel: plant it in any season when the ground allows.
- 1–2 ft bare root Portuguese Laurel: our best-value option from November to March.
Bare root or pot-grown: which timing fits you?
Bare root laurel comes lifted from the field with no soil around the roots. We only supply it in the dormant season, so you plant it between November and March. It costs less per plant, which helps on long hedges.
Pot-grown laurel grows in a container, so the roots stay intact when you plant. That lets you plant through the year. Browse our full pot-grown hedging range if you want to compare other species.
Month-by-month laurel planting guide (UK)
| Month | Bare root | Pot-grown | What to watch |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | Yes | Yes | Wait out hard frosts. Plant on mild days. |
| February | Yes | Yes | Wet ground is common. Don’t plant into puddles. |
| March | Yes, last chance | Yes | Get bare root in before buds break. |
| April | No | Yes | Start watering as spring dries out. |
| May | No | Yes | Water new plants weekly in dry spells. |
| June | No | Yes, with care | Water often. Mulch to hold moisture. |
| July | No | Yes, with care | Plant in the evening and soak the roots. |
| August | No | Yes, with care | Hold off during heatwaves or hosepipe bans. |
| September | No | Yes, good | Warm soil and autumn rain help roots settle. |
| October | No | Yes, best | Our favourite month for pot-grown laurel. |
| November | Yes, season starts | Yes, best | Bare root stock arrives. Plant once the ground is workable. |
| December | Yes | Yes | Plant between frosts. Keep bare roots damp until then. |
Autumn: the best all-round window
From September to November the soil holds summer warmth and the rain returns. Pot-grown laurel roots out before winter, and you water far less than in spring. Bare root season opens in November too.
Winter: bare root season
From December to February you can plant bare root and pot-grown laurel side by side. Check the soil before you dig. If it is frozen, or water sits in the hole, wait a few days. Heel bare root plants into a spare patch of soil or keep the roots wrapped and damp until conditions improve.
Spring and summer: pot-grown only
Bare root season ends in March. From April to August, plant pot-grown laurel and plan on regular watering through the first summer. Dry roots cause most of the losses we see in new hedges.
How to plant your laurel hedge
- Prepare the ground. Clear grass and weeds along a strip about a spade’s width either side of your line. Laurel copes with most soils but dislikes standing water. Our guide to the best soil for laurel hedging covers this in more detail.
- Soak the roots. Stand pots in water for 30 minutes. Dip bare roots in a bucket of water just before planting.
- Dig and set the plant. Make each hole wider than the roots. Plant at the same depth the plant grew at in the pot or field.
- Firm in and water. Firm the soil with your heel and water well, even in winter.
- Mulch. A layer of bark or compost helps keep moisture in and weeds down.
Planting from pots? Our step-by-step guide to planting potted laurel hedging walks through spacing and aftercare.
Aftercare in the first year
- Water weekly through dry spells in the first spring and summer.
- Keep the base clear of weeds and grass.
- Give a light trim after the first growing season to encourage bushy growth. Our guide on how to prune cherry laurel explains when and how.
Common questions
Can I plant laurel in winter?
Yes. Winter is bare root season, and pot-grown laurel goes in fine too. Avoid frozen or waterlogged ground.
Can I plant laurel in summer?
Pot-grown laurel, yes, if you can water it often. We’d hold off during heatwaves. Bare root laurel isn’t available in summer.
Which laurel should I choose?
Cherry Laurel has large glossy leaves and makes a dense screen. Portuguese Laurel has smaller, darker leaves with red stems and suits a neater, more formal hedge.
Ready to plant? Laurel hedging from our Portadown nursery
- 35–50 cm pot-grown Cherry Laurel: a budget-friendly choice for longer runs of hedge.
- 3–4 ft pot-grown Cherry Laurel: taller plants for a screen from day one.
- 40–60 cm pot-grown Portuguese Laurel: plant it in any season when the ground allows.
- 1–2 ft bare root Portuguese Laurel: our best-value option from November to March.
Not sure which size or type suits your garden? Get in touch with our family team at Sunnyside Nurseries in Portadown and we’ll help you pick the right laurel for your hedge.
