Laurel screen

There is one spot at the bottom of my garden that I would like to screen out of view. Im thinking of using Laurel, the area I need to sceen is about 3m wide and 3to4m high. My question is would it be better to plant 2 Laurels to keep the screen nice and thick or would 1 be sufficient . Also is it ok to shear Laurel as oppose using secateurs.

 

One Laurel will do it eventually, it`ll take a few years and will need to be in good heart all the way through the growth.


I have the other problem they are too vigorous for me and every two years need a good butchering but they must be at least 20 years old as the main stem is as thick as a birch trunk.


I use loppers and secauteurs for large leaved hedging plants but you could use trimmers I suppose, it won`t do it any harm, just doesn`t look as nice.

 

The cut edges of leaves may go brown, and look unsightly - which is why folk tend to use secateurs to trim them.

 

I have laurel hedges and once established they stand up well to shaving with electric hedgetrimmers.
I may use the secateurs/loppers to tidy a few shoots/leaves if need be at the end.We usually do ours in the autumn but didn't get them done until mid Dec last year. One plant should cover the area you have but two would make a denser hedge more quickly. It is horses for courses.

Ry Dall