Skip Laurel Shrub Live Plant, 2.5” Pot, 6-12 inch Height, Outdoor Evergreen Hedge

Overview

The Skip Laurel shrub is a highly sought-after evergreen live plant, prized for its dense growth habit, glossy foliage, and adaptability. This particular offering is a starter plant, measuring 6-12 inches in height and presented in a 2.5-inch pot, ready to establish in your garden. Scientifically known as Prunus laurocerasus ‘Schipkaensis’, this cultivar of Cherry Laurel is celebrated for its lance-shaped, deep green leaves that maintain their vibrant color year-round. In spring, the Skip Laurel shrub produces attractive spikes of fragrant white flowers, which mature into small purple-black fruits later in the summer, attracting beneficial pollinators like bees and various songbirds. Its rapid growth rate and tolerance for various conditions make it an excellent choice for both experienced and novice gardeners looking to create beautiful, functional landscapes.

Originating from southeastern Europe and southwestern Asia, the Cherry Laurel, and its ‘Schipkaensis’ cultivar, have become staples in North American landscaping due to their resilience and aesthetic appeal. The Skip Laurel shrub is particularly valued for its ability to form a superb hedge, providing privacy, acting as a windbreak, or defining garden boundaries. Its evergreen nature ensures year-round interest and screening, a significant advantage in many garden designs. Despite its beauty, it’s important to note that all parts of the plant, including leaves and berries, are poisonous to humans and other animals, so placement should be considered in households with pets or small children.

Key Benefits

The Skip Laurel shrub offers a multitude of benefits for any landscape, combining aesthetic appeal with practical functionality. Its robust nature and attractive features make it a top choice for a variety of garden applications.

• Exceptional Privacy and Screening: With its dense, evergreen foliage, the Skip Laurel shrub quickly establishes a solid visual barrier, making it ideal for creating private garden spaces, bordering properties, or screening unsightly views. Its upright, columnar growth habit contributes to a neat and effective hedge.
• Year-Round Greenery: Unlike deciduous plants, the glossy, deep green leaves of the Skip Laurel shrub remain vibrant throughout all seasons, providing continuous color and structure to your garden even in winter. This evergreen quality is crucial for consistent visual interest.
• Low Maintenance and Adaptability: This plant is remarkably easy to care for, thriving in a wide range of soil types and sun exposures once established. It tolerates urban pollution and deer, making it a resilient choice for various environments. Its minimal care requirements make it an excellent option for those seeking a beautiful garden without extensive upkeep.
• Attractive Seasonal Features: In spring, the shrub bursts with fragrant white flower spikes, adding a delightful sensory experience to the garden. These flowers are followed by dark berries, which provide a food source for local songbirds, enhancing the ecological value of your landscape.
• Fast Growth Rate: The Skip Laurel shrub grows at a moderate to fast pace, typically adding 1-2 feet per year. This rapid growth allows for quicker establishment of hedges and privacy screens, providing faster gratification for gardeners.
• Versatile Landscape Use: Beyond hedges, this plant can be used as a specimen shrub, in mixed borders, or as a foundation planting. Its ability to thrive in both sun and partial shade makes it adaptable to many garden zones. For those needing a shade tolerant shrub, the Skip Laurel is an excellent consideration.
• Enhanced Wildlife Habitat: While its berries are toxic to humans, they are a valuable food source for birds, contributing to local biodiversity and attracting feathered friends to your garden. The dense foliage also provides shelter for small wildlife.

Plant Care & Growing Tips

Caring for your Skip Laurel shrub is straightforward, making it an excellent choice for gardeners of all experience levels. Understanding its basic needs will ensure a healthy and thriving plant that provides years of beauty and privacy. This evergreen privacy hedge is remarkably resilient, but optimal conditions will lead to the best growth and appearance.

Sunlight Requirements: The Skip Laurel shrub is highly adaptable regarding light. It performs best in partial shade to full sun. In hotter climates, some afternoon shade can protect its foliage from scorching, while in cooler regions, full sun is generally well-tolerated. Aim for at least 4-6 hours of direct sunlight per day for vigorous growth, though it can still perform adequately with less, making it a good shade tolerant shrub. Ensure good air circulation, especially in shadier spots, to prevent fungal issues.

Watering Schedule and Soil Moisture: During its establishment phase (the first year after planting), regular and consistent watering is crucial. Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Once established, the Skip Laurel shrub becomes quite drought-tolerant, requiring less frequent watering. Water deeply once a week during dry periods, checking the soil moisture before watering again. Good drainage is paramount; soggy soil can lead to root rot. For optimal Skip Laurel plant care, ensure your irrigation system or watering routine provides adequate moisture without over-saturating the roots.

Soil Type and Drainage: This plant is not particularly fussy about soil type, thriving in a range from sandy to clay, as long as it is well-draining. A slightly acidic to neutral pH (6.0-7.0) is preferred. Amend heavy clay soils with organic matter like compost to improve drainage and aeration. For container planting, use a high-quality potting mix that drains well. Proper soil preparation is a key component of successful Skip Laurel plant care.

Temperature Range and USDA Hardiness Zone: The Skip Laurel shrub is hardy in USDA Zones 5-9. It can tolerate a wide range of temperatures, from winter lows down to -20°F (-29°C) in Zone 5, to the heat of Zone 9. In colder zones, protecting young plants from harsh winter winds can be beneficial. In warmer zones, ensure adequate water during hot, dry spells. This broad hardiness range makes Prunus laurocerasus ‘Schipkaensis’ a versatile choice for many regions.

Fertilization: Fertilize your Skip Laurel shrub in early spring with a balanced, slow-release granular fertilizer formulated for trees and shrubs. Follow the product’s instructions for application rates. Avoid over-fertilizing, which can lead to excessive leafy growth at the expense of overall plant health. Established plants generally require less frequent fertilization. A light top-dressing of compost annually can also provide essential nutrients.

Pruning: Prune your Skip Laurel shrub in late winter or early spring before new growth emerges, or after flowering. This helps maintain its shape, promotes denser growth, and removes any dead, damaged, or diseased branches. It can be sheared into a formal hedge or selectively pruned for a more natural form. Regular pruning is essential for maintaining a tidy and compact evergreen privacy hedge.

Common Problems and Solutions: One common issue for young Skip Laurels, especially those grown in greenhouses, is ‘shot hole’ disease, which causes small holes in the leaves. This is typically a minor cosmetic issue and plants will grow out of it as new leaves emerge. Ensure good air circulation and avoid overhead watering to minimize fungal diseases. Watch for pests like spider mites or scale insects, and treat with horticultural oil or insecticidal soap if infestations occur. Proper Skip Laurel plant care includes vigilance for these issues.

Size & Details

This offering is for a Skip Laurel shrub live plant, typically measuring 6-12 inches in height from the top of the soil to the tip of the plant. It arrives in a 2.5-inch nursery pot, providing a healthy root system ready for transplanting. These starter plants are ideal for establishing new hedges or adding individual shrubs to your landscape. The moderate growth rate means you can expect your plant to add approximately 1-2 feet of height per year under optimal growing conditions, eventually reaching a mature height of 10-18 feet and a width of 5-7 feet if left unpruned. When used as a hedge, regular pruning can maintain it at a desired height and width.

Your Skip Laurel shrub will be shipped as a healthy, actively growing plant, carefully packaged to ensure its safe arrival. The 2.5-inch pot size makes it easy to handle and plant upon arrival. While young plants may exhibit some minor imperfections like ‘shot hole’ from greenhouse conditions, these are purely cosmetic and will be outgrown as the plant pushes new foliage. Expect your plant to establish quickly, especially when given proper initial care, and begin contributing to your garden’s beauty and privacy within its first growing season. This Prunus laurocerasus ‘Schipkaensis’ is a durable and rewarding addition to any garden.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: How big does this Skip Laurel shrub get? A: This starter plant is 6-12 inches tall in a 2.5-inch pot. Given proper care, it can grow to a mature height of 10-18 feet and a width of 5-7 feet if unpruned. However, it can be kept smaller with regular pruning as an evergreen privacy hedge.
• Q: What size pot does it come in? A: This Skip Laurel shrub is shipped in a 2.5-inch nursery pot, ensuring the roots are well-established and ready for transplanting into your garden or a larger container.
• Q: Is this an indoor or outdoor plant? A: The Skip Laurel shrub is primarily an outdoor plant, hardy in USDA Zones 5-9. It is best suited for garden beds, hedges, or large outdoor containers where it can thrive in its preferred climate.
• Q: How much sunlight does it need? A: This plant thrives in partial shade to full sun. It can tolerate full sun in cooler climates but appreciates some afternoon shade in hotter regions to protect its glossy foliage. It is considered a good shade tolerant shrub.
• Q: Is this plant easy to care for? A: Yes, the Skip Laurel shrub is known for being low-maintenance and adaptable. Once established, it is relatively drought-tolerant and requires minimal attention, making it suitable for both beginner and experienced gardeners.
• Q: Is it good for beginners? A: Absolutely! Its hardiness, adaptability, and minimal care requirements make it an excellent choice for those new to gardening or looking for an easy-to-grow evergreen. Following basic Skip Laurel plant care guidelines will ensure success.
• Q: What condition will it arrive in? A: Your Skip Laurel shrub will arrive as a healthy, actively growing live plant, carefully packaged to minimize stress during transit. Minor cosmetic imperfections like ‘shot hole’ are normal for greenhouse-grown plants and will be outgrown.
• Q: Is it shipped in soil? A: Yes, the plant will arrive rooted in its 2.5-inch nursery pot with soil, ensuring its health and stability during shipping. It will be ready for immediate planting upon arrival.
• Q: Can I use Prunus laurocerasus ‘Schipkaensis’ as a hedge? A: Yes, the Skip Laurel shrub is an excellent choice for an evergreen privacy hedge due to its dense growth, rapid rate, and ability to be pruned into a formal shape.
• Q: Will it survive winter in my zone? A: If you are in USDA Zones 5-9, your Skip Laurel shrub is cold-hardy and should survive winter outdoors. In Zone 5, some protection from harsh winter winds may be beneficial for younger plants.