Further Information

You'll see our recommended planting densities for each size and root type listed in the product grid. We suggest that you use these as a guide, taking into consideration how long you're willing to wait to see your finished hedge. As a rough indication bare roots can be planted at anything from 3 to 7 per metre and cell grown between 4 and 6 - the higher densities here would need to be planted in a double staggered row or zig-zag.

For more information on planting distances please see our planting density advice section.

Pruning Advice

Keep your Portuguese Laurel in prime condition by pruning it once a year in summer. This will ensure that it keeps its neat, formal appearance without sacrificing its lush, dense growth. This timing helps the plant recover and harden off before the cooler months, avoiding any potential frost damage.

If you’re aiming for a taller hedge, feel free to let it grow — this species can reach impressive heights if left untrimmed. However, regular pruning will maintain its elegant shape and encourage healthier foliage.

Read our Laurel hedging plants guide for more pruning advice.

Delivery & Returns

Everything you need to know about your delivery: Free delivery - this is available on all orders when you reach a minimum order value. Details are in the delivery information table below. Current delivery times: within 7 working days. *Some trees and troughs can be up to 14 days.

Product Type	Standard Delivery Charge	Minimum Order Values (inc VAT) for FREE Delivery
All Items (Excluding Root Balls and Pleached Trees)	£9.98 delivery charge (orders up to £250)	Orders of £250 and over - FREE
Root Balls	£29.99 delivery charge (orders up to £250)	Orders of £250 and over - FREE
Pleached Trees (Specialist Delivery)	£450 delivery charge (orders up to £1500)	Orders of £1500 and over - FREE

Premium Delivery – Choose a day that suits you for your delivery. If premium delivery is available on the products you’ve chosen, simply select this option at checkout. For an additional £16.00, you can choose a specific date to have your order delivered. This means orders less than £250 will pay the applicable delivery fee plus £16 and orders above £250 only £16.00.

For full delivery information, including area exceptions, see our delivery page.

Portuguese Laurel Hedge Prunus lusitanica

Name: Portuguese Laurel Hedge
Brand: Hedges Direct
SKU: PRUL
Price: 3.49 GBP
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.7 (822 reviews)

From £3.49

In Stock

Portuguese Laurel is one of our most popular hedge plants. It is often referred to by its Latin name Prunus lusitanica Angustifolia and showcases luscious dark-green, pointed, glossy leaves on striking deep-pink or maroon stems when mature, whilst younger plants or those grown in shadier or cooler conditions can display lush green stems.

EVERGREEN
AVERAGE GROWING
HAS FLOWERS (White)
FULL SHADE

Planting Conditions: Suitable for normal, clay or chalk soils, full sun to full shade and inland or exposed sites
Growth Rate: Average growth, expect 30-50cm per year
Height: Easily maintained at 1-5m
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SKU PRUL

Free Delivery On All Orders Over £250*

£9.98 Standard Delivery Below £250

£29.99 Standard Delivery Below £250 (Root Balls)

*Excludes Pleached trees

Prunus lusitanica Angustifolia Hedge Plant Description

Portuguese Laurel (Prunus lusitanica) is an exquisite evergreen that brings a touch of elegance to any garden setting. Its narrow, pointed leaves are coloured a glossy, deep-green, and these are offset by unique maroon-coloured stems, which sometimes transition from green in their youth to a striking maroon as they mature if the conditions are right.

During summer, the Portuguese Laurel becomes a hub of activity, with small, fragrant white flowers that are a hit with pollinators like bees and butterflies. As the seasons change, these blossoms give way to red fruits that gradually darken to black, providing a visual treat and a feast for local birds but are toxic to larger animals and humans. Prunus lusitanica shares a few traits with its cousin, the Bay Laurel, and its formal appearance makes it a preferred choice for structured garden designs.

Thriving in almost any soil type, from the sun-bathed to dry-shaded areas, Portuguese Laurel asks for little but gives much back. It does particularly well in chalky soils, though it's best to steer clear of coastal winds. With a manageable medium growth rate of 30-50cm, this Laurel is a dream to maintain, typically requiring just one trim each year to keep it looking its best. Portuguese Laurel is exceptionally resilient and hardier than Cherry Laurel, although some wind protection is recommended in areas where windburn could pose a problem.

You can find root-ball Portuguese Laurel plants available to buy from mid-October to mid-April, as well as pot-grown and instant varieties year-round.*

Curious about how Portuguese Laurel compares to other varieties? Our guide to Laurel hedging plants is your go-to resource for identifying the charms of each species.

*Root-ball stock is subject to availability and may change, but is generally available from autumn through to spring.

Choose Portuguese Laurel Hedge root types

What are root types?

Root types explained.

Bare root
Field grown, bare roots are young plants that are only planted when they are dormant, from autumn to spring. We lift bare root plants and despatch them during the season but they can be pre-ordered in summer. As they are cheaper to grow, they are one of our most affordable hedge planting options.
Pot grown
Pot grown plants can be planted year round and make a convenient option. They come in a wide range of sizes, from 10cm to 2.5m so they're suitable for the majority of planting requirements.
Root ball
Also field grown, root ball plants are scooped out of the ground using machinery to keep their root system intact and wrapped in bio-degradable, hessian sacks. They are mature plants that provide dense coverage very early on, ideal for when you need a thick hedge quickly.
Instant
Grown in troughs or bags that measure 50cm-1 metre in length and carefully clipped during the growing season. Our instant hedging troughs create a dramatic, instant hedge effect.