Planting skip laurel against a fence is a classic landscaping solution for good reason. It creates a dense, evergreen screen that provides both privacy and structure. This combination offers a polished, living wall that enhances your property year-round.
This guide walks you through everything you need to know. We will cover planning, planting, care, and troubleshooting. You will learn how to achieve a flawless, healthy hedge that stands the test of time.
Skip Laurel Against A Fence
Using skip laurel as a fence line hedge is a strategic choice. The skip laurel, a cultivar of the cherry laurel (Prunus laurocerasus ‘Schipkaensis’), is prized for its robust growth and adaptability. It thrives in conditions where other evergreens might struggle, like shaded areas.
When planted against a fence, it serves multiple functions. The fence provides initial support and a straight guide for planting. The laurel, in turn, softens the fence’s appearance, adds biodiversity, and creates a substantial sound and wind barrier. It’s a partnership that maximizes the benefits of both structures.
Key Benefits Of This Planting Strategy
Choosing to install skip laurel against your fence delivers several distinct advantages over a standalone fence or other plant types.
- Enhanced Privacy: The thick, layered foliage fills in gaps and grows tall, creating a solid visual block much more effectively than a fence alone.
- Year-Round Interest: As an evergreen, skip laurel maintains its glossy, deep green leaves through all seasons, unlike deciduous hedges that lose their leaves.
- Noise Reduction: The dense mass of leaves absorbs and deflects sound waves, making your garden or yard quieter and more peaceful.
- Improved Aesthetics: A living hedge looks more natural and inviting than a bare fence, increasing your property’s curb appeal and value.
- Wind Protection: It acts as a windbreak, sheltering more delicate plants in your garden and creating a milder microclimate.
- Wildlife Habitat: The hedge provides cover and nesting sites for birds, beneficial insects, and other small creatures.
Important Considerations Before You Start
Success begins with proper planning. Rushing to plant without addressing these factors can lead to problems down the road, like disease, poor growth, or damage to your fence.
Fence Type And Condition
Your fence’s material and health are crucial. A sturdy, well-maintained wooden, vinyl, or metal fence is ideal. Inspect it thoroughly for any signs of rot, rust, or weakness, as repairing it after the laurels are planted is difficult. Ensure the fence is set firmly in the ground to handle the added weight and moisture of a mature hedge.
Sunlight And Exposure
Skip laurels are remarkably shade tolerant, but they perform best with some sunlight. Aim for a spot that receives at least four to six hours of dappled or direct sun daily. Observe how sunlight falls on your fence line throughout the day to choose the best section for planting.
Soil Quality And Drainage
This is perhaps the most critical factor. Skip laurels demand well-drained soil. They will not tolerate “wet feet” or standing water, which quickly leads to root rot. Test your soil’s drainage by digging a hole about a foot deep, filling it with water, and seeing how long it takes to drain. If it takes more than a few hours, you will need to amend the soil or consider raised planting mounds.
Local Regulations And Property Lines
Always check with your local municipality or homeowners association regarding hedge height restrictions and setback requirements from property lines. It is also wise to have a friendly conversation with your neighbor about your plans, as the hedge will grow on the boundary.
Planning And Preparation
With the considerations addressed, you can move to the practical planning stage. Careful preparation makes the planting process smoother and gives your laurels the best possible start.
Selecting The Right Plants
Purchase healthy skip laurels from a reputable nursery. Look for plants with vibrant, unblemished foliage and a robust root system. Container-grown plants are common and easier to establish than balled-and-burlapped ones. Consider the mature size; skip laurels can reach 10-12 feet tall and 6-8 feet wide, but they can be maintained at a smaller size with pruning.
Determining The Correct Spacing
Proper spacing is essential for creating a seamless screen without overcrowding. For a dense hedge against a fence, space skip laurel plants approximately 4 to 5 feet apart, measured from the center of one trunk to the center of the next.
- For a 6-foot tall fence: Planting 4 feet apart allows the shrubs to fill in quickly.
- For wider areas or a more open look: You can space them 5 or even 6 feet apart, understanding it will take longer to form a solid wall.
- Always plant them at least 2 to 3 feet away from the fence itself. This allows for air circulation, prevents moisture buildup against the fence, and gives you room to walk behind for maintenance.
Preparing The Planting Site
Thorough site prep prevents future weeds and provides nutrients.
- Mark the Line: Use string and stakes to mark a straight planting line parallel to your fence, accounting for the 2-3 foot setback.
- Clear the Area: Remove all existing grass, weeds, and debris from a strip at least 3 feet wide along the marked line.
- Test and Amend Soil: A simple soil test can reveal pH and nutrient levels. Skip laurels prefer slightly acidic to neutral soil (pH 6.0-7.5). Amend poor soil with generous amounts of compost or well-rotted manure to improve fertility and drainage.
- Dig Trenches or Holes: For a long hedge, digging a continuous trench is more efficient than individual holes. Make it twice as wide as the root ball and just as deep.
The Planting Process
Now for the main event. Planting at the right time and in the correct manner ensures strong root establishment. Early fall or early spring are the ideal planting seasons, when temperatures are mild and rainfall is usually more plentiful.
Step-By-Step Planting Instructions
- Hydrate the Plants: Water the skip laurels thoroughly in their containers a few hours before planting.
- Position in the Hole: Place each plant in the trench or hole, ensuring the top of the root ball is level with or slightly above the surrounding soil grade. Planting too deep is a common cause of failure.
- Backfill with Care: Fill in around the roots with your amended native soil, gently firming it to eliminate large air pockets. Avoid stomping, which can compact the soil.
- Create a Watering Basin: Build a low ring of soil around the planting area to form a basin that will direct water to the roots.
- Water Deeply: Soak the area completely immediately after planting. This settles the soil and ensures root-to-soil contact.
- Apply Mulch: Spread a 2-3 inch layer of organic mulch, like wood chips or shredded bark, around the plants. Keep the mulch a few inches away from the base of the stems to prevent rot.
Care And Maintenance
Consistent care in the first few years is what transforms newly planted shrubs into a majestic, healthy hedge. A regular schedule makes maintenance simple.
Watering Schedule For Establishment And Maturity
Watering is critical, especially for the first two years.
- First Year: Water deeply 2-3 times per week, depending on rainfall. The goal is to keep the root zone consistently moist but not soggy.
- Second Year: Water deeply once a week during dry periods.
- Established Hedges: Mature skip laurels are quite drought-tolerant but will benefit from a deep soaking every two to three weeks during prolonged drought.
Always water at the base of the plant, not overhead, to minimize the risk of foliar diseases.
Fertilizing For Optimal Growth
Feed your skip laurel hedge to support its dense growth.
- Initial Feeding: Wait until the second spring after planting to begin fertilizing.
- Type and Timing: Use a balanced, slow-release shrub fertilizer or an organic alternative like blood meal. Apply in early spring as new growth begins.
- Method: Follow package instructions carefully, scattering fertilizer around the drip line (the area under the outermost branches) and watering it in well. Avoid direct contact with the stems.
Pruning And Shaping Your Hedge
Pruning maintains shape, encourages density, and keeps the hedge at your desired size. The best time to do major pruning is in late winter or early spring before new growth starts. You can do light trimming for shape in late spring or early summer after the first flush of growth.
- Use the Right Tools: Use sharp, clean bypass hand pruners for small branches and hedge trimmers for larger shaping. Disinfect tools between plants if disease is suspected.
- Shape Correctly: Prune the hedge so that it is slightly narrower at the top than the bottom. This “A” shape allows sunlight to reach the lower branches, preventing them from becoming bare and leggy.
- Thin for Health: Occasionally remove some of the oldest branches from the center of the shrub down to the ground. This improves air circulation and stimulates new growth from the base.
Troubleshooting Common Problems
Even with great care, issues can arise. Here’s how to identify and address the most common problems with skip laurel against a fence.
Pests And Diseases
Skip laurels are generally resilient but can be susceptible to a few issues.
- Shot Hole Disease: This fungal disease causes small, round holes in the leaves. Improve air circulation, avoid overhead watering, and rake up fallen leaves. In severe cases, a fungicide may be necessary.
- Powdery Mildew: Appears as a white, powdery coating on leaves. It thrives in humid conditions with poor air flow. Prune to improve circulation and consider a fungicidal treatment.
- Aphids and Scale Insects: These sap-sucking pests can cause leaf yellowing and stunted growth. A strong blast of water from a hose can dislodge them, or use horticultural oil or insecticidal soap as directed.
Physical Damage And Environmental Stress
Non-living factors can also cause trouble.
- Winter Burn: Leaves turn brown at the edges after winter due to cold, dry winds and frozen soil. Protect young plants with burlap screens and ensure adequate fall watering.
- Root Rot: Caused by poor drainage. Symptoms include yellowing leaves, wilting, and dieback. If caught early, improving drainage may help; severely affected plants may need to be removed.
- Fence Damage: As the hedge matures, ensure it is not pushing against or growing through the fence. Regular pruning maintains the necessary gap. Check for moisture retention against wooden fences, which could accelerate rot.
Long-Term Hedge Management
After about five years, your skip laurel hedge will be well-established. Long-term management focuses on sustaining health and appearance with minimal intervention.
Renovating An Overgrown Hedge
If a hedge has become too large or woody, you can renovate it. The best approach is gradual renewal over three years.
- Year One: In early spring, cut back one-third of the oldest, thickest stems to within a few inches of the ground.
- Year Two: Remove half of the remaining old stems.
- Year Three: Remove the last of the old stems. This method rejuvenates the hedge without leaving a bare, unsightly gap.
Integrating With Other Plants
For added visual interest, consider planting a layered border in front of your skip laurel hedge. Spring-flowering bulbs, shade-tolerant perennials like hostas or ferns, or low-growing shrubs can create a beautiful, multi-textured garden bed that complements the solid green backdrop.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Fast Does Skip Laurel Grow Against A Fence?
Skip laurel is a moderately fast grower. Under ideal conditions, you can expect about 1 to 2 feet of growth per year. A new planting will typically take 3 to 5 years to form a complete, dense screen.
Can Skip Laurel Damage My Fence?
If properly spaced and maintained, skip laurel should not damage a sturdy fence. The key is to plant it at least 2-3 feet away and prune it regularly to prevent branches from rubbing against or growing through the fence. Ensure your fence is in good repair before planting to handle the slightly more humid microclimate created by the hedge.
What Is The Best Fertilizer For Skip Laurel Hedges?
A balanced, slow-release granular fertilizer with an NPK ratio like 10-10-10 or 12-6-6 is a good choice for skip laurel. Apply it in early spring. Organic options like compost, well-rotted manure, or blood meal are also excellent for providing nutrients and improving soil structure over time.
How Close To A Property Line Can I Plant Skip Laurel?
This varies by location. Always check local ordinances and HOA rules first. As a general guideline, it is considerate and practical to plant the hedge at least 2 to 3 feet inside your property line. This allows you to perform all maintenance from your own yard without needing access to your neighbor’s side.
Why Are The Leaves On My Skip Laurel Turning Yellow?
Yellowing leaves can have several causes. The most common are poor drainage and root rot, nutrient deficiency (often iron), or overwatering. Check soil moisture first. If the soil is soggy, improve drainage. If it’s dry, adjust your watering schedule. A soil test can then help determine if a nutrient issue is the culprit.