Fast-Growing Privacy Hedges: Why Cherry Laurel Is the Top Choice in 2025

As more and more houses are built closer and closer together, homeowners and garden enthusiasts are looking for quick and effective ways to create privacy in their outdoor spaces. Whether it’s blocking out nosy neighbours, reducing noise pollution, or enhancing security, a well-chosen hedge can make all the difference. If you’re looking for a fast-growing, dense, and evergreen hedge, there’s one clear winner in 2025—Cherry Laurel (Prunus laurocerasus).

But why are we so sure that the Cherry Laurel is the best type of privacy hedge? We’ll explain everything in this guide.

Why privacy hedges are more important than ever

As urban areas expand and properties become more compact, privacy has become a top priority for homeowners. Traditional fencing can be costly and often lacks the natural beauty of greenery. Privacy hedges for screening offer a sustainable, cost-effective, and visually appealing solution that also provides numerous environmental benefits.

But not all hedging plants are created equal. If you want something that grows quickly, looks lush year-round, and requires minimal upkeep, Cherry Laurel is the way to go.

Benefits of using Cherry Laurel for privacy hedging

1. Rapid growth for quick privacy

One of the biggest advantages of Cherry Laurel is its impressive growth rate. It can grow up to 2 feet per year, making it one of the fastest-growing hedge plants available. This means that in just a couple of seasons, you can have a thick, fully-formed hedge that provides instant privacy and security.

2. Dense and evergreen for year-round coverage

Unlike deciduous hedges that lose their leaves in winter, Cherry Laurel remains lush and green all year round. Its dense foliage creates a solid barrier that effectively blocks out views and absorbs sound, making it perfect for busy neighbourhoods or homes near roads.

3. Low maintenance and easy to grow

Cherry Laurel is incredibly hardy and adaptable. It thrives in a variety of soil types, tolerates drought once established, and can handle both full sun and partial shade. It also requires minimal trimming—just one or two prunings per year—to keep it looking neat and tidy.

4. Natural noise and pollution barrier

With more people living in high-traffic areas, noise pollution is a growing concern. Cherry Laurel’s thick foliage acts as a natural sound absorber, reducing unwanted noise from roads, neighbours, or construction. Additionally, it helps filter air pollutants, making your garden a cleaner and healthier space.

5. Wildlife-friendly yet secure

Cherry Laurel attracts birds, which love to nest in its dense branches, but it also serves as a protective barrier against unwanted intruders. The leaves contain compounds that deter deer and other browsing animals, keeping your hedge intact and thriving.

How to plant and maintain your Cherry Laurel hedge

Cherry Laurels are pretty easy to plant and look after as long as you follow the correct advice. Here are our tips for planting and maintaining your Cherry Laurel hedge to get the best out of it:

Planting 

• Plant 2-3 feet apart: This will create a dense hedge quickly without overcrowding each plant.

• Use well-drained soil: Cherry Laurels can grow in most soil types, but they’ll do best in a well-draining soil.

• Water regularly: Once Cherry Laurels are established, they can tolerate periods of drought, but during the first year, water regularly to help their roots establish. 

Maintenance

• Pruning: The best time to prune Cherry Laurel is in late spring or early summer when it’s finished flowering. You can prune again in early autumn if you need to to retain its shape.

• Pleaching: If you want to pleach your Cherry Laurels, you need to stake your shrubs and attach a framework to tie the branches to. Read more in our guide to pleaching trees.

• Mulching: You can help boost growth and soil quality by applying a layer of organic mulch such as PlantGrow’s organic mulch and soil conditioner around the base, which will help retain moisture and suppress weeds. 

• Pest & disease control: Cherry Laurels are generally resistant to pests, but keep an eye out for powdery mildew in humid conditions and cherry slug. You may need to use insecticides or fungicides to get rid of them.

As the demand for fast-growing, low-maintenance, and effective privacy solutions continues to rise, Cherry Laurel remains the top choice for homeowners and landscapers alike. Its ability to provide instant privacy, year-round greenery, and noise reduction makes it the ultimate hedge for modern gardens.

If you’re looking to transform your outdoor space this year, check out our Eden Store for many different height and size options!