Cherry Laurel vs Portuguese Laurel: Which Hedge Is Right for Your Garden?

When choosing a laurel hedge, two varieties dominate UK gardens: Cherry Laurel and Portuguese Laurel. Both are evergreen, reliable, and excellent for privacy — but they suit very different garden styles and needs.

In this guide, we compare Cherry Laurel vs Portuguese Laurel side by side, helping you choose the right option based on growth rate, appearance, maintenance, and overall suitability for your garden or project.

At a Glance: Cherry Laurel vs Portuguese Laurel

Cherry Laurel Hedge: Fast Privacy & Dense Screening

Cherry Laurel (Prunus laurocerasus) is one of the most popular hedging plants in the UK — and for good reason.

It’s a fast-growing evergreen hedge that forms a thick, solid screen quickly, making it ideal for boundaries, road screening, and privacy-focused gardens.

Key Benefits of Cherry Laurel

• Grows up to 60cm per year in good conditions

• Large, glossy leaves for instant coverage

• Excellent year-round privacy

• Very hardy and tolerant of most soils

• Ideal for commercial hedging and large projects

Cherry Laurel is often chosen where speed and impact matter more than a refined finish. It’s also widely available as rootball hedging, making it cost-effective for longer runs.

👉 View our Cherry Laurel hedges

Portuguese Laurel Hedge: Elegant & Refined Evergreen Screening

Portuguese Laurel (Prunus lusitanica) offers a more refined alternative. It grows slightly slower than Cherry Laurel but rewards patience with a smarter, more formal appearance.

Its smaller leaves and compact growth habit make it perfect for gardens where appearance is just as important as privacy.

Key Benefits of Portuguese Laurel

• Tidy, elegant evergreen foliage

• Smaller leaves for a neater finish

• Excellent for shaping and formal hedges

• Long lifespan and strong structure

• Popular for high-end residential and commercial landscaping

Portuguese Laurel is ideal for driveways, pathways, and visible boundaries, where a clean, polished look is required.

👉 View our Portuguese Laurel hedges

Which Laurel Hedge Grows Faster?

If growth speed is your priority, Cherry Laurel is the clear winner.

• Cherry Laurel: Fast-growing, excellent for quick privacy

• Portuguese Laurel: Moderate growth, better for long-term shape

For customers wanting instant results, Cherry Laurel or instant hedging options are often the best choice. For those investing in a long-term garden design, Portuguese Laurel delivers superior aesthetics.

Maintenance & Pruning Differences

Both laurel varieties are low maintenance, but their pruning needs differ slightly:

• Cherry Laurel

  • Can be pruned 1–2 times per year

  • Best trimmed with secateurs (not hedge trimmers) to avoid leaf damage and subsequent diseases.

• Portuguese Laurel

  • Responds beautifully to regular shaping

  • Ideal for formal, clipped hedges

Both varieties tolerate pruning well and recover quickly.

Cherry Laurel vs Portuguese Laurel: Which Should You Choose?

Choose Cherry Laurel if you:

• Want fast privacy

• Have a large boundary to cover

• Need a robust, cost-effective hedge

• Are planting for screening or commercial use

Choose Portuguese Laurel if you:

• Prefer a smart, decorative hedge

• Want a formal or contemporary look

• Are planting in a visible area

• Value neatness over speed

Both are excellent evergreen hedging plants — the right choice simply depends on your priorities.

Need Help Choosing the Right Laurel Hedge?

At Hedging UK, we supply both Cherry Laurel and Portuguese Laurel in a range of sizes, including pot-grown, rootball, and instant hedging options.

Browse our full Laurel Hedging range
Or contact our team for expert advice on spacing, sizes, and planting