spacing for Skip Laurel

8 years ago

last modified: 8 years ago

I just purchased three Skip Laurels for 50% off and I am looking for some planting advice. I want to create a natural looking screen at the back of my property so my objective is not to grow them like hedges. They are currently (in the photos below) spaced 3.5 feet apart. Is this too close or too far? I used to have a jungle of intertwined whatever shrubs in there that I removed this summer due to severe leaf damage so I'm looking to fill in that space. There is a large elm tree to the left that is keeping me from planting a fourth Laurel (unless I tighten up the spacing). Thoughts? I will be protecting these Laurels every winter with wilt protection spray to avoid leaf damage incurred by the shrubs that were removed.

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paula1va1

6 years ago

last modified: 6 years ago

I'm planting 17 of them! I have been doing so much research and have talked to so many professionals and I too want the natural look. I want to block out the neighbors but want them to French kiss each other (lol, that's the best way I can describe it) so you need to plant them 5.5' apart. I think this will give the best results. The growth will also depend on how much sun or shade they get although they are pretty hardy. My neighbors have a bit more shade than sun and theirs are about 9-10' tall and 7-8' wide and about 8-10 years old. They like sun with some shade time but will grow either way. Just keep them watered well in the beginning.

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Comments (16)

njitgrad
Original Author
8 years ago
some more pics...
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
you either want a SCREEN ... or you dont ...

if so ... spacing is closer.. so they grow together faster.. TO MAKE YOUR SCREEN...

and if you do that.. throw in the 4th ...

if the goal is SCREEN... then plant a screen ... no real issue of the spacing an independent cultivar might want or need... to have its own space ...

planting guide below ... in my area.. there is still day heat... i might hold them in shade for a week or two ... until night temps are nice and mild.. or cold ... at that point days temps dont matter as much ...

nice bargain you got there... 2 for one ...high five ... go get the other ...

ken

https://sites.google.com/site/tnarboretum/Home/planting-a-tree-or-shrub
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gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
8 years ago
These laurels are rather variable in width - anywhere from 5' to 12'! The spacing layout you have now would be a minimum for me.....I'd consider a bit further apart to reduce congestion and improve air circulation, which could help to reduce potential fungal issues that may pop up.

You sure as heck don't need a fourth in that area!!
njitgrad
Original Author
8 years ago
Great, now I don't know what to do. I was about to get a 4th one today despite the rainy weather but I think I will wait on it until I can get some more feedback.
gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
8 years ago
Maybe look at some mature specimens to help you figure this out. Take a look at this one from the UConn website. btw, that same website lists the mature spread at 25-30 feet!!! (Can't say I've ever seen any quite that large in my gardening career, but most cultivars of Prunus laurocerasus have the potential for developing substantial size).
njitgrad
Original Author
8 years ago
wow, that's pretty big. maybe 3 is enough and maybe I should space them out 4 and a half feet out. are they fast growers?
gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
Once established, yes quite fast. Personally, I would start at 5' and maybe even space out further than that. Even with that spacing, you will have a hedge-like effect in time, even if left unpruned.

And remember that spread is front and back, as well as to the sides - leave enough space so they are not fighting with the fence behind or rapidly overshadowing the plants in front. Some pruning to keep these in bounds may be in your future ;-)

And I'd get more feedback from others in your area about the advisability of using antidessicants.......the general consensus is they are rather worthless for winter protection. I can't say for sure as I have never used (or ever needed to) but the topic used to come up rather frequently here.
njitgrad
Original Author
8 years ago
great thank you so much for the advice
njitgrad
Original Author
8 years ago
here's a photo of all three laurels spaced five feet apart (measured from the center of the containers) and positioned further from the fence than my other shrubs
Dave in NoVA • N. Virginia • zone 7A
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
What's that 'shrub' to the right of them? I'd take that out and add a fourth or space them out more. Space about 5 to 8 feet apart on center, depending on if you do or don't want a gap between them. Not quite sure what you mean by 'natural'-looking screen. They are ideal hedging plants.

Perhaps though the further north they live, the less quickly they grow. Mine are easily 6 feet in diameter now and about 9 feet high.
mad_gallica (z5 Eastern NY)
8 years ago
I am more than a bit curious about opinions regarding the hardiness of these shrubs. UConn claims zone 6, possibly even zone 5. However, that may very well be pushing things if they are expected to look good through the winter. So any ideas regarding their lower limit before they start winterburning and looking terrible? Also any ideas of their lower limit of survival? I may want to try one anyway, just because.

What were the previous shrubs, Aucuba?
Dave in NoVA • N. Virginia • zone 7A
8 years ago
Many were damaged the last two winters here in 7a. Usually the sunny side got the worst winter burn. Those in at least some shade did much better. I think they need a really good watering going into winter as well.
viclynnbai
7 years ago
I found this site because I am getting ready to plant about the same size skip laurel that you have in your pics. I also want a "Natural" look. I can't understand why someone can't understand what you mean by that. I also am like you and what that means to me is I do not like scrubs cut and trimmed into a box looking bush or with a flat-top. I like my scrubs to have the room to grow more natural requiring little to no pruning or trimming in the years to come. Some of us just don't like the "hedge" look. I say everybody to their own style as long as the plant does well. Vickie in Nashville TN.
Dave in NoVA • N. Virginia • zone 7A
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
If you don't like the formal 'hedge look', plant them much further apart... and NOT in a row.
allilamb69
4 years ago
Huh! my neighbota Skip laurels are easily 25 feet tall!! Huge but gorgeous! we are in NJ so zone six and they thrive here