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Prunus laurocerasus ‘Otto Luyken’

At Heijnen Plants, we take pride in offering the Prunus laurocerasus 'Otto Luyken', a distinguished variety of the cherry laurel, esteemed for its compact growth habit and glossy, evergreen foliage. This resilient plant graces gardens with its elegant white flowers, which provide a striking contrast against the dark green leaves. Ideal for creating a dense, low hedge, the 'Otto Luyken' cultivar is a superb choice for gardeners seeking to introduce a touch of timeless beauty and structure to their landscapes.

Winter hardiness
Average winter hardy

Pruning
Once a year

Growth rate
10-20 cm per year

Visual barrier
Quickly obscuring

Position
Shade, partial shade, sun

Maintenance
Low maintenance

2+ £19.60

50+ £18.60

100+ £18.10

200+ £17.60

Height at time of delivery excluding pot/clod
40-50

Planting distance per meter
3

17.60

per piece

incl. VAT, excl. shipping costs (calculated in shopping cart)

Added to shopping cart

2+ £22.55

50+ £21.45

100+ £20.90

200+ £20.30

Height at time of delivery excluding pot/clod
50-60

Planting distance per meter
3

20.30

per piece

incl. VAT, excl. shipping costs (calculated in shopping cart)

Added to shopping cart

Prunus laurocerasus ‘Otto Luyken’

The Prunus laurocerasus 'Otto Luyken', commonly known as the cherry laurel, is a compact variety of laurel hedging that offers a lush, evergreen presence in gardens and landscapes. This particular cultivar is prized for its ability to form dense hedges that provide excellent privacy throughout the year. With its glossy green leaves and clusters of white flowers that bloom in the spring, the cherry laurel 'Otto Luyken' is a versatile and attractive choice for any garden.

Key Features

As a cultivar of the Prunus family, 'Otto Luyken' is an evergreen plant that maintains its vibrant foliage throughout all seasons, ensuring a perennially green backdrop.
This variety is distinguished by its slower growth rate of 10 to 20 centimeters per year, making it an ideal choice for those seeking a low-maintenance hedge.
The 'Otto Luyken' is exceptionally winter hardy, able to withstand temperatures as low as -17.8°C to -20.5°C, correlating to USDA zone 6b.
Optimal for creating hedges and block hedges, it provides quick visual density, swiftly establishing a private space.
The cherry laurel 'Otto Luyken' is also drought-resistant, further reducing the need for constant care.

Tips

When planting Prunus laurocerasus 'Otto Luyken', ensure that the soil is well-drained, although this plant will thrive in nearly all soil types.
Choose a location where the plant can receive full sun, partial shade, or shade, as it is adaptable to various lighting conditions.
Pruning should be done once a year to maintain the desired shape of the hedge and to remove any wayward shoots.
Propagation can be achieved with semi-ripe cuttings or through hardwood cuttings, allowing gardeners to expand their hedge or replace any gaps efficiently.
While the 'Otto Luyken' does not need frequent watering, during extended periods of dry weather, ensure that the plant receives adequate moisture to maintain its lush appearance.

Ideal placement of a Laurel 'Otto Luyken'

The Prunus 'Otto Luyken' is remarkably versatile in terms of placement, flourishing in full sun, partial shade, or even in shaded areas. For optimal growth, it is recommended to plant in well-drained soils, as this species is adaptable to a variety of soil types. It exhibits strong growth in USDA zone 6b, withstanding temperatures as low as -17.8°C to -20.5°C. This variety maintains a lush green appearance throughout all seasons, offering visual density and making it an excellent choice for hedges or block hedges that require privacy year-round.

Planting a Laurel 'Otto Luyken'

To ensure successful establishment of Prunus laurocerasus 'Otto Luyken', plant it with the root ball intact during cooler months, avoiding periods of frost. Choose a location that can be in full sun to partial shade, ensuring the soil is well-drained to accommodate its adaptable nature. Plant spacing should be generous enough to allow for its 10-20 cm annual growth rate, but close enough to form a visually dense hedge if desired. Water thoroughly after planting to settle the soil around the root ball and maintain regular irrigation until the plant is well-established, especially since it boasts drought resistance once fully rooted.

Pruning a Laurel 'Otto Luyken'

Prunus laurocerasus 'Otto Luyken' is low-maintenance and requires minimal pruning. Typically, it is pruned once a year to remove any unsightly shoots and to preserve the desired shape of the hedge. The best time to prune is after the plant has flowered, which helps prevent cutting off the next year's blooms. This species is hardy, tolerating temperatures down to -17.8°C, aligning with USDA zone 6b. Its evergreen foliage maintains visual density year-round, ensuring a constantly lush hedge.

Watering a Laurel 'Otto Luyken'

Prunus laurocerasus 'Otto Luyken' thrives in well-drained soils and, once established, exhibits a notable resistance to drought. While it is important to provide regular moisture during the initial growing period to ensure a robust root system, mature specimens require less frequent watering. During prolonged periods of dry weather, it is beneficial to supplement with additional water to maintain the plant's lush green foliage. Care should be taken not to overwater, as this species is well-adapted to handle periods without excessive moisture, thanks to its inherent drought-resistant qualities.

Fertilising a Laurel 'Otto Luyken'

For robust growth and vitality, 'Otto Luyken' benefits from fertilization, ensuring its lush, evergreen foliage remains a vibrant green throughout the seasons. The ideal fertilizing regimen involves a balanced, slow-release fertilizer applied in early spring. This will support the plant's growth rate of 10-20 cm per year and contribute to its visual density, providing a quickly obscuring hedge.

A second application during midsummer can promote continued health, especially important for this variety's ability to withstand cold temperatures down to -17.8°C, aligning with USDA zone 6b. Care should be taken to distribute the fertilizer evenly around the base of the hedge, avoiding direct contact with the foliage and stems to prevent burn. Proper fertilization will also support the plant's flowering and fruiting, producing its characteristic white blossoms followed by attractive black and red fruit in autumn.

The characteristics of a Laurel 'Otto Luyken'

The Prunus laurocerasus 'Otto Luyken' is a splendid choice for low hedging or as a foundational planting due to its compact growth habit. This species thrives with a root ball planting method, ensuring a robust root system for optimal health and growth. The glossy evergreen foliage offers year-round visual interest, and in spring, the plant is adorned with fragrant white flower spikes, adding a touch of elegance to any garden design.

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