Compact Laurel Hedge (Prunus laurocerasus 'Otto Luyken')

Compact Laurel Hedge Plants Description

Compact Laurel (Prunus laurocerasus 'Otto Luyken') is a popular choice for creating low, dense evergreen hedges and attractive garden borders. Its glossy dark-green leaves provide year-round structure, while fragrant white flowers appear in spring.

With a slow growth rate of approximately 10–20cm per year, Otto Luyken is well suited to smaller gardens and areas where a manageable hedge is preferred. It can be grown in full sun to full shade and tolerates a range of soil conditions, including clay and chalk.

This compact cherry laurel is ideal for low hedging, border planting and adding evergreen structure to garden spaces

Pruning Advice

Prune Compact Laurel in late spring or early summer, after flowering, to maintain its shape and encourage dense growth. Light trimming once or twice a year is usually sufficient for a neat, compact hedge.

Use sharp shears to remove overgrown or misshapen branches and maintain the desired height and width. Avoid cutting heavily into old wood, as this may affect regrowth.

Further Information

Compact Laurel offers several advantages as a hedge plant. Its dense foliage provides excellent privacy and creates a robust screen that can effectively block wind and noise. The plant is evergreen, ensuring that the hedge maintains its attractive appearance throughout the year. Additionally, Compact Laurel is low-maintenance and resistant to pests and diseases, making it a reliable choice for those seeking an easy-to-care-for hedge. Its compact size also makes it ideal for smaller garden spaces or for creating well-defined garden edges.

Compact Laurel is a useful choice for low evergreen hedging, providing year-round foliage and a manageable growth habit. Its compact form makes it suitable for smaller gardens, borders and spaces where a taller hedge is not required.

Planting Density

Planting distances depend on the size and root type selected. For the recommended spacing for each product, please refer to the planting density information shown in the product grid.

As a general guide, bare root plants can be spaced at 3–7 plants per metre, while cell-grown plants can be spaced at 4–6 plants per metre. Higher planting densities, including a double staggered row, can help create a denser hedge more quickly

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is Compact Laurel?

Compact Laurel is the common name for Prunus laurocerasus 'Otto Luyken', a hardy evergreen shrub with glossy dark-green foliage and a naturally compact growth habit. It is suitable for low hedges, borders and smaller gardens.

2. How tall does Otto Luyken Laurel grow?

Otto Luyken Laurel can be maintained at approximately 0.5–1.5m. Its slow growth rate of around 10–20cm per year makes it suitable for low, manageable hedging.

3. Is Compact Laurel evergreen?

Yes. Compact Laurel is an evergreen plant that retains its glossy dark-green foliage throughout the year, providing lasting structure and coverage in the garden.

4. Does Otto Luyken Laurel flower?

Yes. Otto Luyken produces fragrant white flower spikes in spring, adding seasonal interest to its evergreen foliage.

5. How fast does Compact Laurel grow?

Compact Laurel is slow growing, with an expected growth rate of approximately 10–20cm per year. Regular pruning helps maintain its compact shape.

6. Can Compact Laurel grow in shade?

Yes. Otto Luyken Laurel can grow in full sun to full shade and is suitable for a range of garden conditions, including shaded borders.

7. When should I prune Compact Laurel?

The best time to prune Compact Laurel is in late spring or early summer, after flowering. Light trimming once or twice a year helps maintain a neat hedge.

8. How many Compact Laurel plants do I need per metre?

Planting density depends on the plant size and root type. For specific recommendations, refer to the planting density information in the product grid. Bare root plants can generally be spaced at 3–7 plants per metre, while cell-grown plants can be spaced at 4–6 plants per metre.

Delivery & Returns

Free delivery is available on most orders (except Premium Products) providing they meet the minimum spend criteria for the size of box or pallet. Pallet deliveries and large box deliveries for tall plants are indicated by icons on the product table listings. Delivery costs and minimum order details for each packaging type are as follows:

* Standard Sized Boxes (Bare root up to 1.2m tall & pots up to 7.5L) | Free UK Mainland Delivery for orders over £250 | or £9.98 charge.

* Tall Sized Boxes (Bare roots 1.2m & over) | Free UK Mainland Delivery for orders over £250 | or £24.99 charge.

* Pallets (Root balls, large pots 10L+, trees etc | Free UK Mainland Delivery for orders over £350 | or £82 charge.

* Pleached Trees (Specialist Delivery) | Free UK Mainland Delivery for orders over £1500 | or £450 charge.