Centre Court™ Cherry Laurel

Planting Instructions for Centre Court Cherry Laurel

1. Choosing the Right Location: Plant Centre Court Cherry Laurel in full sun to partial shade within USDA zones 7 through 10. Full sun produces the densest growth, which is ideal for hedges and privacy screens. Allow for its mature size of 20 to 30 feet tall and 10 to 15 feet wide if left unpruned, and keep it away from pet and livestock grazing areas.
2. Soil Preparation: Choose a spot with well-drained soil. This tough evergreen adapts to many soil types, but it does not like sitting in soggy ground. Loosen the soil over a wide area and mix in compost if your soil is heavy clay or very sandy, which helps roots spread quickly.
3. Planting: Dig a hole about twice as wide as the root ball and just as deep, so the top of the root ball sits level with the surrounding ground. For a dense privacy hedge, space plants about 5 to 8 feet apart, measured center to center. Closer spacing fills in faster, while wider spacing gives each plant room to reach its full shape.
4. Mulching and First Watering: Backfill with native soil, firm it gently, and water deeply to settle the roots and remove air pockets. Spread 2 to 3 inches of mulch over the root zone, keeping it a few inches away from the trunk to hold moisture and suppress weeds.

Care Instructions

1. Watering: Water regularly after planting, usually once or twice a week in the first growing season depending on rainfall. Once mature, Centre Court Cherry Laurel is drought-tolerant and needs only occasional watering during extended dry spells. Avoid waterlogged soil, which can lead to root problems.
2. Fertilizing: Feed with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring to support vigorous growth and rich, glossy foliage. Follow label rates and water it in well. Avoid heavy feeding late in the season, which can push tender growth that may be damaged before winter.
3. Pest and Disease Monitoring: This adaptable shrub resists pests and urban pollution well. Still, check the leaves in spring and summer for shot-hole leaf spots, scale, or borers, especially on stressed plants. Good drainage, proper spacing for airflow, and avoiding overhead watering keep most problems away.

Maintenance and Long-Term Care

1. Pruning: Give it a light trim in late winter or early spring to keep it tidy and encourage fuller, denser growth. It needs only occasional pruning to hold its shape, and you can shear it more often if you want a formal, clipped hedge. Clean up all trimmings afterward so pets and animals cannot chew on them.
2. Winter Care: Centre Court Cherry Laurel keeps its glossy leaves year-round in zones 7 through 10. In the colder end of that range, water deeply in late fall before the ground cools, and refresh the mulch layer to protect the roots. Shield young plants from harsh winter winds during their first year.

Additional Tips for Growing Centre Court Cherry Laurel

1. Fast Privacy: This fast grower often adds around 2 feet or more per year in good conditions, so a hedge can fill in within just a few seasons. Regular water while young speeds establishment and helps plants knit together into a full green wall.
2. Spring Flowers: Expect fragrant clusters of creamy-white flowers in spring that attract bees and other beneficial pollinators. Small dark berries may follow and are often eaten by birds, adding wildlife value to your landscape.
3. Pet Safety: Cherry Laurel is toxic to dogs, cats, horses, and people if eaten. Its leaves, stems, and seeds contain compounds that can release cyanide when chewed. Plant it away from grazing areas and play spaces, and always rake up clippings after pruning.