Caring for Portuguese Laurel

Portuguese laurel has moderate water needs. Once established, it tolerates short dry spells, but young plants and hedges benefit from regular watering during prolonged dry weather in spring and summer. Water deeply rather than little and often, encouraging roots to grow down. In autumn and winter, natural rainfall is usually sufficient unless conditions are exceptionally dry. Feed in March or April with a balanced general-purpose fertiliser such as blood, fish and bone or a controlled-release granular feed, scattering it around the base of the plant and watering in if rain isn't forecast. A second, lighter feed in early summer can boost growth on young hedges, but established plants rarely need more than an annual spring application. Avoid high-nitrogen feeds late in the season, as they promote soft growth vulnerable to frost. Mulch annually in spring with garden compost, well-rotted manure, or bark chips to suppress weeds, conserve moisture, and improve soil structure. Keep mulch clear of the stem itself. Portuguese laurel is generally trouble-free. The most common problem is shot-hole disease (Stigmina carpophila), a fungal infection causing small brown spots that drop out, leaving holes in the leaves. Improve air circulation by thinning dense growth and clear up fallen leaves. Powdery mildew can occur in dry conditions; water at the base rather than overhead. Vine weevil larvae occasionally damage roots in container-grown plants. This evergreen is fully hardy in zones 7–9 and needs no special winter protection in temperate Europe, though young plants appreciate shelter from cold winds in their first year.