The difference between a good skip laurel hedge and a great one comes down to three decisions made at planting: mature size, spacing, and where you source the plants. Get those right and the hedge closes into a solid green wall on its own schedule.
This guide covers everything you need: realistic sizing expectations, planting spacing, care routines, and safety notes for pet owners. By the end, you'll know exactly how to grow a dense, healthy privacy screen.
Key Takeaways
- Grows roughly 1 foot per year and reaches 6 to 15 feet tall depending on pruning and location
- Space plants 3 to 5 feet apart for a continuous, dense screen
- Plant in early spring or early fall for the strongest root establishment
- Tolerates poor, dry, or alkaline soil and asks only for good drainage
- Site it away from pet runs: like all cherry laurels, the leaves and seeds aren't for eating
What Is a Skip Laurel Privacy Hedge?
Skip laurel, botanically Prunus laurocerasus 'Schipkaensis,' is a hardy cultivar of cherry laurel also sold under the names schip laurel and schipka laurel. It's a broadleaf evergreen shrub, meaning it never drops its leaves the way a deciduous hedge plant does.
The foliage is glossy, dark green, and lance-shaped, typically 2 to 6 inches long. In spring, it produces fragrant white flower spikes about 4 inches long. Small purple-black drupes follow through summer and draw songbirds into the yard, according to NC State Extension's Plant Toolbox.
Why Landscapers Choose Skip Laurel for Screening
Skip laurel's multi-stem, layered growth habit is what makes it a go-to hedge plant rather than a specimen shrub. Branches fill in low to the ground and stay dense with regular pruning, so the screen stays solid from the soil up.
Because it holds foliage year-round, it screens a neighbor's window or a busy street in January just as well as in July, unlike a deciduous option that leaves you exposed all winter.
Skip Laurel vs. Boxwood and Arborvitae
Growth speed is the real differentiator among common hedge plants:
| Plant | Typical Growth Rate |
|---|---|
| Skip laurel | About 1 ft/year |
| Boxwood | 3-6 inches/year |
| Green Giant arborvitae | Up to 3 ft/year |
Skip laurel lands in the middle. It grows noticeably faster than boxwood but slower than the fastest arborvitae varieties, according to Virginia Tech Extension and the Arbor Day Foundation. Its real advantage is adaptability: it handles varying light and soil better than most boxwoods and holds a tighter form longer than many arborvitaes.
How Big Do Skip Laurel Hedges Grow?
Growth rate matters most when you're planning a hedge timeline. University of Maryland Extension pegs established skip laurel at roughly 1 foot of growth per year, a medium pace for a privacy shrub (UMD HGIC).
Mature size estimates vary by source:
- NC State Extension: 10-15 feet tall, 5-7 feet wide
- UConn Plant Database: generally 5-10 feet tall, spreading habit
- UMD HGIC: roughly 6-8 feet tall, 5-6 feet wide
In practice, most backyard hedges land in the 6 to 10-foot range with regular pruning, though unpruned specimens in ideal conditions can climb toward 15 feet over many years.
Spacing Changes the Timeline
Tighter spacing fills gaps faster and asks for a bit more trimming to hold the line. Wider spacing takes longer to close and needs less maintenance long-term.
At roughly 1 foot of growth per year, a newly planted hedge spaced correctly typically needs 2 to 4 growing seasons to form a continuous screen, depending on starting plant size and spacing tightness.
Hardiness note: Skip laurel is generally suited to USDA zones 6-9, though some sources list a broader range down to zone 5b. Growth speed and eventual size still depend on climate, sun, and soil—so a hedge in coastal Delaware may outpace one in a colder inland spot.
How to Plant a Skip Laurel Privacy Hedge for Best Results
Getting the planting phase right sets the pace for everything that follows. Skip the shortcuts here.
Timing and Spacing
Plant in early spring or early fall. Both windows let roots establish well ahead of summer heat or winter freeze. That timing matches general shrub-planting guidance from the University of Maryland Extension.
For spacing, aim for 3 to 5 feet apart depending on your starting plant size:
- Medium specimens: space about 3 feet apart for a tight, fast-closing hedge
- Larger 5 to 6-foot specimens: space 4 feet apart or more, since bigger plants need less time to fill gaps
Site Prep and Planting Steps
Choose a spot with partial sun to partial shade and well-drained soil. Skip laurel tolerates poor or alkaline soil just fine and simply wants water to move through the root zone.
- Dig the hole wider than the root ball — roughly 1.5 to 2 times the width, same depth
- Set the plant at proper depth so the root crown sits level with or slightly above grade
- Backfill with native soil, tamping gently to remove air pockets
- Water thoroughly immediately after planting to settle soil around roots
Sourcing Healthy Stock Matters
A hedge is only as good as the plants you start with. Stock with a full, fibrous root system establishes quickly and closes ranks evenly across the whole run.
Brandywine Trees, a licensed Pennsylvania wholesale nursery staffed by Certified Arborists, grows skip laurel on-site using organic methods and root-pruning techniques that produce Transplant Ready Trees™. Their skip laurels typically ship at around 5 feet tall, priced between $119 and $179, with larger specimens available for faster privacy.
For bulk hedge orders, that head start on root development can mean a hedge that closes gaps in two seasons rather than five.
For large-scale plantings, professional installation keeps spacing consistent across the whole run. Brandywine offers planting through a preferred contractor for PA and DE customers, with delivery and installation often completed within a week of ordering.
Skip Laurel Care & Maintenance
New plantings need consistent attention for the first few weeks. Established hedges are far more forgiving.
Watering:
- First 2 weeks: check daily, water deeply when the top 6 inches of soil is dry
- First 2 years: check at least weekly
- Once established: deep, infrequent watering beats shallow sprinkling; skip laurel handles dry spells reasonably well
Pruning: Trim in late spring or early summer, after flowering finishes. This timing keeps the hedge shape clean and encourages the dense branching that makes a privacy screen actually private. Skip laurel tolerates heavy pruning well, so shape it confidently when you want a tighter form.
Fertilizing: A light, slow-release feeding in spring is plenty. Go easy here — a modest feed produces firm, well-hardened growth that holds its shape through the seasons.
Foliage resilience: Skip laurel is genuinely low-maintenance among broadleaf evergreens. A wet spring may leave some cosmetic marking on older leaves, which the next flush covers over entirely.
Winter protection: In colder parts of its range, an anti-transpirant spray in late fall helps foliage hold its moisture through freezing, windy stretches. Paired with proper mulching, it keeps the hedge looking crisp straight through to spring.
Ideal Growing Conditions: Sun, Soil & Hardiness
Skip laurel isn't picky, but it does have preferences worth respecting.
It thrives in partial sun to partial shade, generally preferring dappled or filtered light over blazing full sun all day. In deep shade, growth slows and the hedge thins out.
Sun and Soil
Soil-wise, skip laurel adapts to clay, loam, sand, and even shallow or rocky ground. It handles dry and alkaline soils better than most privacy shrubs.
The one thing it does ask for is drainage. Give water somewhere to go and this shrub is close to unkillable.
Hardiness and Winter Care
Skip laurel generally suits USDA zones 6-9, with some hardier selections persisting into zone 5b. In the colder end of that range:
- Site hedges away from harsh, drying winter winds when possible
- Apply 2-3 inches of mulch, kept a few inches back from stems
- Water during mild, dry spells before the ground freezes solid
- Consider an anti-transpirant application for extra insurance
Skip Laurel Hedge: Strengths, Planning Notes & Pet Safety
Advantages:
- Evergreen foliage provides privacy year-round, not just during growing season
- Faster growth than boxwood makes it a practical mid-range choice for homeowners who want screening sooner
- Generally deer-resistant and famously trouble-free once it has settled in
Planning notes:
- A sheltered spot keeps foliage crispest through windy winters in colder zones
- A trim after flowering each year is what holds the tight hedge form
- Free-draining ground is the one site condition worth confirming before you plant
Safety note: Like all cherry laurels, skip laurel leaves, stems, and seeds aren't for eating. Bag up clippings after a trim and site the hedge away from dog runs — see the FAQ below for detail.
That said, its evergreen nature remains the strongest argument in its favor. A skip laurel hedge looks the same in February as it does in June.
Frequently Asked Questions
How big will skip laurels get?
Most skip laurel hedges reach 6 to 10 feet tall and 5 to 7 feet wide with regular pruning. Left unpruned for many years, some specimens can approach 15 feet.
Do skip laurels lose their leaves in winter?
No. Skip laurel is evergreen and holds its foliage year-round. Foliage may look a little tired after harsh winter winds, but the plant stays fully clothed.
Is skip laurel safe to plant around dogs?
Yes, with one sensible habit: like all cherry laurels, the leaves, stems, and seeds are not for eating. Bag up clippings after a trim, and if a pet ever swallows any, check this pet safety reference or call your vet.
How far apart should you plant skip laurels for a privacy hedge?
Space plants 3 to 5 feet apart. Tighter spacing around 3 feet closes gaps faster for a dense hedge, while 4 to 5 feet works well for larger starting specimens.
How fast do skip laurel hedges grow to full privacy height?
Skip laurel grows about 1 foot per year once established. With proper spacing, most hedges form a continuous screen within 2 to 4 growing seasons.
Where can I buy quality skip laurel trees for a hedge?
Look for a direct grower rather than a big-box retailer. Brandywine Trees, a licensed PA wholesale nursery, grows skip laurel on-site with root-pruning for fast establishment. They offer 5-foot specimens for hedge projects across PA and DE.