Skip Laurel

Skip Laurel - Fast Growing Evergreen Privacy Shrub | 10-15 Feet Tall, Individual Plants

Create lush evergreen privacy and classic landscape beauty with the Skip Laurel. Also known as Schip Laurel, this popular evergreen shrub is prized for its glossy dark green foliage and dense upright growth habit. Known for its rapid growth and elegant appearance, Skip Laurel quickly forms a thick hedge that provides year-round privacy and structure in the landscape.

In spring, fragrant white flower spikes appear along the branches, adding a delicate seasonal display against the rich green foliage. As the season progresses, small dark berries may develop, attracting birds and wildlife. With its fast growth and dense branching, Skip Laurel is an excellent choice for privacy screens, hedges, and property borders while maintaining a refined ornamental look.

Why You'll Love the Skip Laurel

Fast Growing Privacy Hedge: Quickly forms a dense evergreen screen that provides excellent privacy.

Glossy Evergreen Foliage: Large deep green leaves create a lush, polished look in the landscape year round.

Fragrant Spring Blooms: Upright clusters of white flowers appear in spring and add seasonal interest.

Versatile Landscape Plant: Ideal for hedges, screens, foundation plantings, and property borders.

Skip Laurel Details

Botanical Name: Prunus laurocerasus 'Schipkaensis'
Type: Evergreen shrub
Mature Size: 10-15' tall × 5-7' wide (upright dense habit)
Growth Rate: Fast growth rate
Light: Full sun to partial shade
Soil: Well-drained soil adaptable to many soil types
Water: Water regularly until established, moderate drought tolerance once mature
USDA Hardiness Zones: 6, 7, 8, 9

Growing Conditions

Soil Adaptability: Performs best in well-drained soil but adapts easily to clay, loamy, or sandy soils. Avoid consistently waterlogged planting areas.

Light Requirements: Thrives in full sun to partial shade and performs well even in shadier garden locations.

Hardiness: USDA zones 6-9, making it suitable for a wide range of temperate climates.

Care Instructions

Watering: Water regularly during the first growing season to establish roots. Once established, this shrub becomes moderately drought tolerant.

Pruning: Prune after flowering or as needed to maintain desired hedge shape and size.

Fertilizing: Apply a balanced slow-release fertilizer in early spring to promote healthy foliage growth.

Landscaping Uses

Versatile Applications: Skip Laurel’s dense evergreen foliage and fast growth make it suitable for: privacy screens, hedges, foundation plantings, property borders, and woodland gardens.

Privacy Screen Excellence: Its thick branching and tall growth habit make it ideal for creating long-lasting evergreen hedges and natural privacy barriers.

Frequently Asked Questions

How far apart should I plant Skip Laurel? For privacy hedges, space plants 5 to 6 feet apart on center to allow for mature growth and dense coverage.

Is Skip Laurel fast growing? Yes, it is considered a fast-growing evergreen shrub and quickly establishes as a privacy hedge.

Is Skip Laurel evergreen year round? Yes, it maintains its glossy green foliage throughout the year, providing consistent privacy and landscape structure.