Before you even get to the planting part, you will need to pay attention to how you store your root balls. If you are keeping the plants out of the ground until planting for a few days, make sure that you water the root ball to ensure it keeps moist. Just make sure not use too much force with watering. This is to prevent soil of the root ball from getting soaked and disintegrating away from the roots. The root ball should be stored out of the sun in a shady, cool spot until planting. Ideally, root ball plants will be planted immediately within a few days of arrival. Preparing the Soil Organic: The ingredients might include manure, alfalfa meal, kelp meal, and bone or blood meal. Organic fertilizers also contain microorganisms to improve soil conditions and feed plants. These fertilizers provide nutrients for longer periods of time because it takes a while for the microorganisms to break down. For some unknown reason the base of an Acuba is a very attractive hiding place for slugs and snails. The picture above is of a Spotted Laurel in our garden and one dose of slug pellets (or whatever alternative you prefer) in May time kills literally hundreds of this pest overnight.

You should always refer to the product’s label and apply the fertilizer at the recommended time. Synthetic fertilizers are usually applied just before or during a plant’s active growing season. “Synthetic fertilizers are fast-acting, but after feeding your plants, the nutrients are washed away from the soil during rain or watering,” says Liz Will, a master gardener and garden coach.” For that reason, synthetic fertilizers need to be applied more frequently than organic formulas.accept the fact that the position of the plant is the cause, dig it up and plant something there which can cope better. You may want to take cuttings before you do this, read our section below on propagation. Certain plants prefer certain soils and thrive in them. It is best to research fully which plants you want to use and if they are suitable for the soil you have. If they are not, you need to work out if it is possible to alter the soil analysis and then be able to maintain it.Mature hedges tend not to need as much additional fertiliser. There are symptoms to look for in a hedge in need of fertilising.

Nitrogenis needed by plants to make protein. Plants use large amounts of nitrogen to produce new leaves and stems. Plants with lots of leaves such as Prunus lusitanica (laurel) need more nitrogen than deciduous species such as Crataegus (hawthorn). Nitrogen is used mainly by plants mainly to produce lots of leaf growth and a nice healthy green colour. Nitrogen is part of the chlorophyll molecule, which gives plants their green color and is involved in creating food for the plant through photosynthesis. An evergreen shrub which, if not pruned, reaches a height of 3m / 10ft with a similar spread. The Spotted Laurel is a slow growing shrub increasing in height and spread at a rate of 20cm / 8in per year. It is easily pruned to shape and it makes a delightful rounded shrub.

Tips for using branded fertilisers

Unlike other species of shrubs, laurels require specific nutrients to grow vigorously. The best fertilizer for your Portuguese Laurel hedge depends on its stage of growth. If it’s already established, use Rootgrow fertilizer. New plants prefer natural organic fertilizers. Fertilizing is most beneficial in the springtime when the laurels have low calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium requirements. Since the plants feed well on rainfall, fertilizing your Portuguese Laurel hedge every spring will help keep it healthy and vibrant.

A granular is applied either to the surface of the soil, around the plant, or incorporated into the soil.It can be planted all year long if the soil is not frozen and you can water well when conditions are dry. Mid March to April and mid September to October are the best times to plant this shrub.