Skip Laurel: The Ultimate Evergreen for Privacy and Beauty
If you're looking for a beautiful, fast-growing, and low-maintenance evergreen shrub that can instantly upgrade your yard, look no further than the Skip Laurel. Also known as Schip Laurel or Prunus laurocerasus ‘Schipkaensis’, this hardy plant has become a go-to for homeowners and landscapers alike—especially for creating lush green privacy screens that stay vibrant all year round.
What is Skip Laurel?
Skip Laurel is a variety of cherry laurel, native to parts of southeastern Europe and western Asia. What sets it apart is its narrow, upright growth habit and its glossy, dark green foliage that holds its color even through winter.
Mature Skip Laurels typically reach about 10 to 15 feet in height and 5 to 7 feet in width, making them perfect for privacy hedges, windbreaks, or foundational plantings. They grow in dense clusters, offering thick coverage that can block out noise, wind, and even nosy neighbors.
Why Homeowners Love Skip Laurel?
-
Fast-Growing Privacy One of the main reasons people choose Skip Laurel is its rapid growth. It can add 2 to 3 feet of growth per year, meaning you won’t be waiting a decade for that living fence to fill in.
-
Low Maintenance Skip Laurel is incredibly easy to care for. Once established, it’s drought-tolerant, disease-resistant, and can thrive in a variety of soil conditions. It’s also deer-resistant—great news if you're in an area with wildlife that loves to snack on your landscaping.
-
Versatile Light Tolerance Whether you’ve got full sun or partial shade, Skip Laurel can adapt. It actually prefers some shade in hotter climates, but it’s remarkably versatile in terms of light needs.
-
Beautiful Year-Round Unlike deciduous shrubs, Skip Laurel keeps its leaves year-round. In spring, it also produces small white fragrant flowers that attract pollinators, adding a seasonal charm to its evergreen appeal.
Planting & Care Tips
-
Soil: It prefers well-draining soil, but it’s fairly adaptable. If your soil is clay-heavy, consider amending it with compost.
-
Watering: During its first season, water regularly to help establish a strong root system. Once established, it’s pretty drought-tolerant.
-
Spacing: For a solid privacy hedge, plant them about 5 to 6 feet apart. You can go a bit tighter for faster coverage.
-
Pruning: Light pruning in early spring or late summer helps maintain shape. You can shear it into a formal hedge or let it grow naturally for a more organic look.
Skip Laurel vs. Other Privacy Shrubs
So why choose Skip Laurel over other popular options like Arborvitae or Leyland Cypress?
-
Unlike Arborvitae, which can be fussy in hotter climates, Skip Laurel handles heat and humidity better.
-
Compared to Leyland Cypress, it’s more compact and doesn’t need as much trimming to stay tidy.
-
Plus, it provides a more sophisticated look with its broad, shiny leaves—almost like a natural green wall.
Final Thoughts
If you're in the market for a plant that delivers instant elegance, year-round privacy, and effortless beauty, Skip Laurel checks all the boxes. It's the kind of shrub that doesn’t just blend in—it elevates your entire landscape.
Whether you're lining a driveway, shielding a backyard, or simply adding structure to your garden, Skip Laurel is a timeless choice that grows with grace.
Comments
Post a Comment