Introduction
Skip Laurel is a popular evergreen shrub for privacy hedges, foundation planting, property-line screening, and year-round landscape structure. Also known as Skip Cherry Laurel or Schip Laurel, it is valued for its glossy green foliage, dense growth habit, and ability to create a clean evergreen screen without taking up as much space as some larger privacy trees.
If you want a classic cherry laurel hedge with a slightly narrower, more refined look, Skip Laurel is one of the best options to consider. It works well in rows, mixed borders, and layered privacy plantings where you want evergreen coverage, manageable height, and a polished landscape appearance.
This guide explains how to care for Skip Laurel, including sun, soil, watering, spacing, pruning, fertilizing, privacy hedge use, common problems, and how it compares with other cherry laurel options.
Skip Laurel at a Glance
| Feature | Skip Laurel |
|---|---|
| Plant Type | Evergreen shrub |
| Also Known As | Skip Cherry Laurel, Schip Laurel |
| Best For | Privacy hedges, screens, foundation planting, property lines, mixed borders |
| Foliage | Glossy evergreen leaves |
| Growth Habit | Dense, upright, hedge-friendly |
| Best Light | Full sun to partial shade |
| Care Focus | Good drainage, consistent watering during establishment, pruning for shape |
Skip Laurel We Sell
Skip Laurel Shrub is a strong choice for homeowners who want a dense evergreen hedge with a clean, classic look. It is especially useful for privacy screens, narrow borders, and foundation areas where a full evergreen screen is desired without the massive size of some privacy trees.
| Plant | Best For | Why Grow It |
|---|---|---|
| Skip Laurel Shrub | Privacy hedges, property lines, evergreen screens, foundation planting | A dense evergreen shrub with glossy foliage and a refined hedge-friendly shape |
What Is Skip Laurel?
Skip Laurel is a type of cherry laurel commonly used as an evergreen hedge or screening shrub. It has glossy green leaves, a dense branching habit, and a naturally upright shape that makes it useful for creating privacy without needing a very wide planting bed.
Compared with some larger cherry laurels, Skip Laurel is often chosen for a more controlled, refined hedge. It can be planted in rows for screening, used as a backdrop for flowering shrubs, or added to foundation beds for evergreen structure.
Skip Laurel is popular because it offers:
- Evergreen foliage
- Dense hedge-friendly growth
- Good privacy screening
- A narrower, more refined look than some broad hedge shrubs
- Use in full sun to partial shade
- Strong year-round landscape structure
- Flexible use in rows, borders, and foundation plantings
How Much Sun Does Skip Laurel Need?
Skip Laurel grows well in full sun to partial shade. More sun generally supports denser growth, while partial shade can still work well in many landscapes. This flexibility makes Skip Laurel useful for areas where lighting changes throughout the day.
For the fullest hedge, choose a location with good sunlight. In hotter climates, some afternoon shade can help reduce stress during intense summer heat.
Best light conditions for Skip Laurel:
- Full sun for the densest growth
- Partial shade for flexible landscape placement
- Morning sun with some afternoon shade in hotter areas
- Avoid very deep shade if you want a thick privacy hedge
Best Soil for Skip Laurel
Skip Laurel performs best in well-draining soil. Like many evergreen shrubs, it appreciates consistent moisture while establishing, but it does not like sitting in soggy soil. Poor drainage can lead to root stress, yellowing leaves, leaf drop, or decline.
Before planting a Skip Laurel hedge, check how water moves through the area. If water pools after rain, improve drainage or choose a better planting site.
Good soil for Skip Laurel should be:
- Well-draining
- Moisture-retentive without staying soggy
- Loose enough for root development
- Not heavily compacted
- Improved with organic matter if the soil is poor
How to Plant Skip Laurel
Planting Skip Laurel correctly helps the shrub establish faster and grow into a stronger hedge. The most important factors are proper spacing, good drainage, and consistent watering after planting.
Steps for planting Skip Laurel:
- Choose a location with full sun to partial shade.
- Make sure the soil drains well.
- Dig a hole about as deep as the root ball and slightly wider.
- Place the shrub so the top of the root ball sits level with the surrounding soil.
- Backfill with soil and gently firm around the roots.
- Water deeply after planting.
- Add mulch around the root zone, keeping mulch away from the trunk or stems.
For general planting guidance, read Simply Trees Guide to Planting.
Skip Laurel Spacing for Privacy Hedges
Spacing is one of the most important parts of growing a Skip Laurel hedge. Plant too far apart, and the hedge may take longer to fill in. Plant too close together, and the shrubs may compete for water, nutrients, and airflow.
For a privacy hedge, Skip Laurel is usually planted close enough for the shrubs to grow together over time. For a looser screen or mixed border, space them farther apart so each shrub has more room to develop its natural shape.
Skip Laurel spacing tips:
- Plant closer for a denser privacy hedge.
- Plant farther apart for a more natural evergreen screen.
- Leave enough room for airflow between plants.
- Consider the mature width before planting a long row.
- Keep shrubs away from walls, fences, and structures so they can grow evenly.
If your goal is a full privacy screen, plan the spacing before planting the first shrub. Consistent spacing creates a cleaner, more professional-looking hedge.
How Often Should You Water Skip Laurel?
Newly planted Skip Laurel needs consistent watering while it establishes. During the first growing season, the root system is still developing, so the shrub depends more on regular watering from you.
Once established, Skip Laurel becomes easier to maintain, but it still benefits from deep watering during hot, dry, or windy weather. The goal is to keep the soil evenly moist during establishment without making it soggy.
Watering tips for Skip Laurel:
- Water deeply after planting.
- Keep soil consistently moist during the first growing season.
- Water more often during heat or drought.
- Allow the soil to drain between watering.
- Avoid shallow watering that only wets the surface.
- Use mulch to help retain soil moisture.
For more watering help, read Simply Trees Guide to Watering.
How to Fertilize Skip Laurel
Skip Laurel can benefit from fertilizer during active growth, especially if the soil is low in nutrients or the hedge needs support after planting. Fertilizer can help encourage healthy leaves, strong roots, and fuller growth.
Avoid overfertilizing. Too much fertilizer can push soft growth or stress the plant, especially if watering and soil conditions are not ideal.
Fertilizing tips:
- Fertilize in spring as new growth begins.
- Use a balanced fertilizer suitable for shrubs or evergreens.
- Water after applying fertilizer.
- Avoid heavy feeding late in the season.
- Do not place fertilizer directly against the trunk or stems.
For broader feeding guidance, read Simply Trees Guide to Fertilizing.
How Fast Does Skip Laurel Grow?
Skip Laurel is typically grown for dense evergreen coverage rather than instant height. Growth is strongest when the shrub is planted in the right light, soil, and moisture conditions.
Like many landscape shrubs, Skip Laurel may spend its first season establishing roots before showing stronger top growth. Once established, it can fill in and become a more effective screen over time.
To support healthy Skip Laurel growth:
- Plant in full sun to partial shade.
- Use well-draining soil.
- Water consistently during establishment.
- Mulch the root zone.
- Prune lightly to encourage shape and density.
- Avoid soggy soil and heavy compaction.
How Tall Does Skip Laurel Get?
Skip Laurel can develop into a substantial evergreen shrub or hedge when grown in the right conditions. Its mature height depends on climate, sunlight, soil, watering, pruning, and spacing.
For privacy, many homeowners prune Skip Laurel to maintain a specific height. It can be kept more formal with regular trimming or allowed to grow into a softer natural screen.
How Wide Does Skip Laurel Get?
Skip Laurel is often chosen because it can create a dense hedge without spreading as widely as some larger privacy shrubs. However, it still needs enough room to grow, especially if you want a healthy long-term hedge.
When planning a row, think about the mature width, the distance from fences or walkways, and how much pruning you are willing to do. A hedge planted too tightly against a structure may be harder to maintain.
How to Prune Skip Laurel
Pruning helps Skip Laurel stay dense, clean, and hedge-friendly. The amount of pruning depends on whether you want a formal hedge, a natural screen, or a looser evergreen backdrop.
For a formal hedge, prune regularly enough to maintain shape. For a natural screen, prune more lightly to remove awkward growth and encourage fullness.
Prune Skip Laurel to:
- Maintain hedge shape
- Encourage denser branching
- Remove dead or damaged growth
- Control height and width
- Keep branches away from walkways, fences, or structures
- Improve airflow through the hedge
When Should You Prune Skip Laurel?
Skip Laurel can be pruned after its main flush of spring growth or as needed for light shaping. Avoid heavy pruning during extreme heat, drought stress, or late-season periods when new growth may not harden before cold weather.
Light touch-up pruning can help maintain shape, but heavy cutting should be done thoughtfully. Removing too much growth at once can stress the plant and make the hedge look uneven.
Pruning tips:
- Prune after spring growth for shaping.
- Remove dead or damaged branches when needed.
- Use clean, sharp pruning tools.
- Do not cut too aggressively into bare interior wood.
- Shape gradually if the hedge has become overgrown.
Can Skip Laurel Be Used as a Privacy Hedge?
Yes, Skip Laurel is one of the best evergreen shrubs for privacy hedges. Its dense foliage, upright growth, and manageable shape make it useful for screening patios, property lines, fences, driveways, and neighboring views.
Skip Laurel works especially well when you want a hedge that feels more polished than a wild screen but less massive than a row of large privacy trees.
Use Skip Laurel as a privacy hedge when you want:
- Year-round evergreen coverage
- A dense hedge with glossy foliage
- A refined privacy screen
- A shrub that can be shaped or left more natural
- Screening for patios, fences, or property lines
For a broader cherry laurel hedge overview, read Cherry Laurel Privacy Hedge: The Best Fast-Growing Evergreen Screen.
Skip Laurel vs Carolina Cherry Laurel
Skip Laurel and Carolina Cherry Laurel are both evergreen shrubs used for privacy, hedges, and screening. The right choice depends on the shape, size, and landscape effect you want.
Skip Laurel is often chosen for a dense, refined hedge with a more controlled look. Carolina Cherry Laurel can be a strong option when you want a larger evergreen shrub or screen with a broader landscape presence.
| Feature | Skip Laurel | Carolina Cherry Laurel |
|---|---|---|
| Best Use | Refined privacy hedges, foundation screens, narrow borders | Large privacy screens, evergreen hedges, broader landscape use |
| Growth Style | Dense, upright, hedge-friendly | Dense, evergreen, often broader in landscape effect |
| Landscape Look | Clean and polished | Full and substantial |
| Best For | Spaces where you want evergreen privacy with a controlled shape | Spaces where you want a larger evergreen screen |
For more on Carolina Cherry Laurel size and growth, read Carolina Cherry Laurel Growth Rate: How Fast Does It Grow?.
Skip Laurel vs Other Privacy Shrubs
Skip Laurel is a strong privacy shrub when you want dense evergreen foliage, a classic hedge look, and flexible light tolerance. It is different from privacy trees like Thuja Green Giant or Italian Cypress because it creates a shrub hedge rather than a tall tree screen.
| Plant | Best For | Landscape Look |
|---|---|---|
| Skip Laurel | Evergreen hedges, property lines, foundation screens | Dense, glossy, classic hedge |
| Southern Wax Myrtle | Natural privacy screens and native-style landscapes | Soft, informal, natural screen |
| Boxwood | Low hedges, borders, formal structure | Compact, tidy, formal |
| Thuja Green Giant | Tall evergreen privacy rows | Large, fast-growing tree screen |
For another evergreen hedge option, read Southern Wax Myrtle Hedge Guide.
Can Skip Laurel Grow in Shade?
Skip Laurel can tolerate partial shade, which makes it more flexible than some full-sun-only hedge plants. However, dense privacy growth is usually better with more sun.
In too much shade, Skip Laurel may grow thinner, stretch toward light, or produce a less full hedge. If your planting area is shaded, give the shrubs enough spacing and avoid overwatering, since shaded soil may dry more slowly.
Can Skip Laurel Grow in Pots?
Skip Laurel can be grown in a large container when young, but it is usually better suited to in-ground planting for long-term privacy hedges. Container-grown shrubs need more frequent watering and careful drainage.
Container tips:
- Use a large container with drainage holes.
- Choose a well-draining potting mix.
- Water consistently, especially in hot weather.
- Place the container in full sun to partial shade.
- Repot or move into the ground as the shrub matures.
Why Are My Skip Laurel Leaves Turning Yellow?
Yellow leaves on Skip Laurel are often related to watering, drainage, transplant stress, or nutrient issues. The first thing to check is soil moisture. Skip Laurel likes consistent moisture while establishing, but constantly wet soil can stress the roots.
Common causes of yellow leaves:
- Overwatering
- Poor drainage
- Underwatering
- Transplant shock
- Compacted soil
- Nutrient stress
- Natural older leaf drop
If the soil is soggy, reduce watering and improve drainage. If the soil is dry, water deeply and mulch around the root zone.
Why Is My Skip Laurel Turning Brown?
Browning can happen when Skip Laurel is stressed by drought, overwatering, poor drainage, winter burn, transplant shock, or root problems. Browning along leaf edges may point to moisture stress, while widespread browning can suggest a more serious root or environmental issue.
Common causes of browning:
- Dry soil
- Soggy soil
- Poor drainage
- Winter or wind burn
- Transplant shock
- Root stress
- Severe heat or drought stress
Check soil moisture and drainage first. Correct watering issues, remove clearly dead growth, and give newly planted shrubs time to recover if they are still establishing.
Why Is My Skip Laurel Dropping Leaves?
Some older leaf drop can be normal, especially as evergreen shrubs refresh their foliage. However, heavy leaf drop may be a sign of stress.
Common reasons Skip Laurel drops leaves:
- Transplant shock
- Inconsistent watering
- Poor drainage
- Drought stress
- Sudden temperature changes
- Root stress
- Deep shade or poor growing conditions
If the plant is newly installed, focus on consistent watering and mulch. If it is established, check for drainage, drought stress, or recent environmental changes.
Are Skip Laurel Berries or Leaves Poisonous?
Skip Laurel, like other cherry laurels, should not be eaten. The foliage, berries, and plant parts can be toxic if ingested. Keep children and pets from eating leaves or berries, and dispose of pruned material responsibly.
If you have pets or children who frequently chew plants, place Skip Laurel where it is less likely to be disturbed.
Common Skip Laurel Care Mistakes
Planting in soggy soil
Skip Laurel needs good drainage. Constantly wet soil can cause root stress and long-term decline.
Watering too lightly
Shallow watering does not support strong roots. Water deeply during establishment.
Planting too close together
Tight spacing may create faster coverage, but overcrowding can reduce airflow and increase stress over time.
Ignoring mature size
Skip Laurel is hedge-friendly, but it still needs room to grow. Plan spacing based on long-term size, not just the size at planting.
Pruning too aggressively
Regular shaping is helpful, but severe pruning can stress the shrub and create uneven growth.
Skip Laurel Care Checklist
- Plant in full sun to partial shade.
- Choose well-draining soil.
- Water deeply after planting.
- Keep soil consistently moist during establishment.
- Mulch around the root zone.
- Space plants properly for a hedge.
- Prune lightly to shape and encourage density.
- Fertilize in spring if needed.
- Avoid soggy soil.
- Keep leaves and berries away from children and pets.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you care for Skip Laurel?
Plant Skip Laurel in full sun to partial shade with well-draining soil. Water consistently while it establishes, mulch the root zone, prune for shape, and fertilize in spring if needed.
Is Skip Laurel good for privacy?
Yes, Skip Laurel is a strong evergreen privacy shrub. It works well for hedges, property lines, foundation screens, and year-round coverage.
How far apart should you plant Skip Laurel?
Spacing depends on whether you want a dense hedge or a looser screen. Plant closer for a tighter hedge and farther apart for a more natural look, while still allowing room for mature growth and airflow.
Does Skip Laurel grow in shade?
Skip Laurel can tolerate partial shade, but it usually grows denser and fuller with more sun. Avoid deep shade if you want a thick privacy hedge.
How often should I water Skip Laurel?
Water regularly during the first growing season while roots establish. Once established, water deeply during hot, dry, or windy periods.
When should I prune Skip Laurel?
Prune Skip Laurel after spring growth for shaping, or lightly as needed to remove dead or damaged branches. Avoid heavy pruning during extreme stress or late in the season.
Why are my Skip Laurel leaves turning yellow?
Yellow leaves are often caused by overwatering, poor drainage, underwatering, transplant shock, compacted soil, or nutrient stress.
Why is my Skip Laurel turning brown?
Browning can come from drought stress, soggy soil, poor drainage, winter burn, root stress, or transplant shock. Check watering and drainage first.
Is Skip Laurel the same as Cherry Laurel?
Skip Laurel is a type of cherry laurel. It is commonly used as a dense evergreen hedge with a refined, upright habit.
Is Skip Laurel toxic?
Yes, Skip Laurel plant parts should not be eaten and can be toxic if ingested. Keep leaves and berries away from children and pets.
Final Thoughts
Skip Laurel is a versatile evergreen shrub for privacy hedges, property-line screens, foundation planting, and year-round landscape structure. Its glossy foliage, dense habit, and flexible light tolerance make it a strong choice for homeowners who want a classic evergreen hedge with a refined look.
For best results, plant Skip Laurel in full sun to partial shade, use well-draining soil, water consistently during establishment, and prune lightly to maintain shape and density. With the right spacing and care, Skip Laurel can become a beautiful, dependable evergreen privacy hedge in the landscape.
