Description
Schip laurel is a popular hedge choice for its narrow growth habit and glossy evergreen foliage. The White flowers in spring are a big bonus, but year-round this plant looks lush. One production difficulty of growing Schip laurel is that they are prone to shot hole (little holes in the leaves) from growing in the greenhouse. If your plants arrive with some holes in the leaves do not be concerned, your starter plants will grow out of this as soon as they push new leaves. More info is available on this blog post.
USDA Hardiness Map
Plant Form

About Schip Laurel
Schip laurel is a popular choice for narrow spaces needing a tall, evergreen privacy hedge. It does not grow as
fast or as wide as its parent, English laurel, and it has much darker foliage. Schip laurel also tolerates more
shade and colder temperatures, although they are both listed as hardy to USDA Zone 6. Schip laurel is
deer-resistant and drought-tolerant once established. It does well in coastal climates and is not bothered by
salt or pollution. Schip laurel has long, narrow, dark green leaves that form a beautiful screen. In spring, it
blooms with fragrant white flower spikes that are attractive to pollinator bees. Later in the summer, small
black fruits develop that birds eat but are toxic to mammals. It grows 1-2’ per year in ideal conditions,
and grows primarily upright. Pruning once per year is plenty to maintain its shape and size. You could easily
have a Schip laurel hedge anywhere from 6-12’ tall and 2-4’ wide over the long term with regular
pruning.
Top Qualities of Schip laurel
- 1. Dark, evergreen foliage
- 2. Narrow growth habit
- 3. Moderately fast growth rate
- 4. Easy to Maintain
- 5. Deer resistant