Year-round green garden with Portuguese laurel

If you say beautiful and easy hedges, you say the Portuguese laurel. According to Henri Nelissen, manager of Coniplant B.V., the laurel species Prunus lusitanica Angustifolia is currently the most popular hedge variety. And he enthusiastically explains to us why.

As manager of Coniplant B.V., Nelissen is responsible for the cultivation, purchase and sale of hedge plants. Among other things, Coniplant B.V. supplies seven species of thuja, seven species of prunus and three species of yew to individuals, gardeners and garden centers throughout Europe. "When someone asks what we have to offer, we give a price and options overview. That seems simple, but in addition to the species, there is also a difference in sizes. All plants between meters and three meters can be ordered. And you also have complete freedom in quantity: from 1 single plant to 10,000 pieces."

The Angustifolia is hot

Currently, according to Nelissen, the Portuguese laurel is very popular with individuals. The plants have small, fine leaves with a shape that appeals to people. "If you prune this beautiful laurel variety properly, it is a very compact hedge. At the bottom of the branches are beautiful red shoots and the hedge has natural green leaves. Prunus lusitanica angustifolia grows in many different soil types. It is an easy plant that grows well when given its annual nutrition. It's also nice for bird lovers because birds like to nest in it." 

Prune and fine-leaved

According to Nelissen, the laurel is very popular because people like to have a green hedge year-round. He does understand that people go for this laurel because of the ease of pruning and because it is a fine-leaved laurel. "It still remains: tastes differ, but I'm a fan myself. I have a 100-meter hedge with 30 different hedge varieties. May sound crazy, but everyone who comes by likes it. A fine-leaved laurel such as the Angustifolia is still one of my favorites. Also because so little can go wrong. Still, I have one tip: don't get a new hedge and then go on vacation for six weeks, because then they dry out. That's why we like to think with people; you only find out why things go wrong when you go there."

Unique greenery

To deliver all varieties and sizes during the season at a competitive price, Coniplant B.V. works with different growers. "This way we deliver constant quality from January 1 to June 1 and from September 1 to December 1. To support gardeners, we provide advice. We have broad knowledge through contact with our nurseries and because we are real field experts. We give advice remotely via WhatsApp or the phone. If there are real problems, we go to a project." 

Finally, Nelissen indicates that Coniplant B.V. has more stock than a grower. "Gardeners often have to look further and at big green centers they spend more money. So that's how they come to us, and stay with us!"