Our old mixed native hedge is slowly thinning out, and we need a new one. OH really liked the idea of laurel, evergreen screening ( and no autumn leaf collection required!). I have vetoed this as I understand that most species laurel can be toxic if ingested, and lord knows we have enough dog health issues to contend with just now! I am pitching for hornbeam instead. I suspect the leaf collection will be down to me.....! Has anyone any experience with laurel hedging ( Damson mouths everything!) to back me up?
Re: New hedge. The perils of Laurel..? Have a look on the website for the Dogs Trust , they have a very comprehensive list of plants, trees and shrubs that are toxic to dogs x
Re: New hedge. The perils of Laurel..? By laurel do you mean bay laurel, as in bay tree? We have an absolutely massive bay laurel in our backyard and it has never posed a problem for either of our dogs. The leaves are kind of leathery and I'd be surprised if a dog ate them. The leaves of a bay laurel are absolutely fine for humans to eat though - bay leaves Dunno about dogs but as I said we have not had a problem. There are no doubt many species of laurel.... But if you tried the bay laurel kind I think you'd be ok. Judging by our specimen they'd make a hardy, attractive and vigorous hedge.
Re: New hedge. The perils of Laurel..? Cherry Laurel is poisonous (to humans and animals), but I've never heard of bay laurel being problematic. I planted several bay hedges. The ones in a sheltered position are doing very well, the ones exposed to wind took forever to get going, and are still not great after several years. These days, I plant flowering shrubs for hedges - informal, don't need trimming every two minutes, and look lovely. Camillias (if you can wait), Lavender (if they are ok low), Fushia (if you can cut them down time to time)....
Re: New hedge. The perils of Laurel..? It's not on this list - but the list is from the US http://www.petpoisonhelpline.com/poisons/
Re: New hedge. The perils of Laurel..? [quote author=JulieT link=topic=10500.msg155175#msg155175 date=1428503244] I plant flowering shrubs for hedges - informal, don't need trimming every two minutes, and look lovely. Camillias (if you can wait), Lavender (if they are ok low), Fushia (if you can cut them down time to time).... [/quote] I want to replace our front hedge with a David Austin rose hedge ;D
Re: New hedge. The perils of Laurel..? Ooo - that would be lovely. I always end up being disappointed in roses though, they never live up to what I imagine....
Re: New hedge. The perils of Laurel..? [quote author=JulieT link=topic=10500.msg155197#msg155197 date=1428510821] Ooo that would be lovely. I always end up being disappointed in roses though, they never live up to what I imagine.... [/quote] David Austin roses are brilliant with lots of lovely old fashioned roses to choose from with a superb colour range and fragrance. Over the last 15years all the roses I've planted in our various gardens have been from David Austin including bring some over here to France. bbrown - beautiful roses. What variety are they?
Re: New hedge. The perils of Laurel..? Those are beautiful Barbara , I cant grow roses here, something about the type of soil , shame because I love them x
Re: New hedge. The perils of Laurel..? We have planted David Austin climbing roses along the fence surrounding our orchard. I'm really looking forward to seeing them grow and flower.
Re: New hedge. The perils of Laurel..? I persist in trying to grow roses in Cornish sand....the long suffering chap who helps me out in spring has just carried 20 bags of manure up the steps. I live in hope.... Those are lovely, Barbara.
Re: New hedge. The perils of Laurel..? [quote author=Labradora link=topic=10500.msg155136#msg155136 date=1428480335] I am pitching for hornbeam instead. I suspect the leaf collection will be down to me.....! [/quote] Hornbeam is lovely and doesn't lose its leaves until the new growth starts in spring (by which time you can just sort of brush them out of sight behind its stems..... We have lots of laurel (cherry laurel) and never had a problem, but then Pongo isn't a great one for eating plants so that doesn't mean much.
Re: New hedge. The perils of Laurel..? Cherry Laurel contains Hydrogen Cyanide. I have no idea how much a dog would need to eat for it to be toxic, but I distinctly remember this from chemistry. Home made cough remedy "all natural!" of Laurel water anyone?....
Re: New hedge. The perils of Laurel..? The Dogs Trust fact sheet says that both Laurel and Cherry Laurel are harmful if eaten in quantity. Not sure how many leaves would make quantity though.
Re: New hedge. The perils of Laurel..? [quote author=MaccieD link=topic=10500.msg155238#msg155238 date=1428521957] The Dogs Trust fact sheet says that both Laurel and Cherry Laurel are harmful if eaten in quantity. [/quote] They say Prunus species - that's cherry laurel. Not bay laurel (laurus nobilis).
Re: New hedge. The perils of Laurel..? [quote author=JulieT link=topic=10500.msg155239#msg155239 date=1428522355] [quote author=MaccieD link=topic=10500.msg155238#msg155238 date=1428521957] The Dogs Trust fact sheet says that both Laurel and Cherry Laurel are harmful if eaten in quantity. [/quote] They say Prunus species - that's cherry laurel. Not bay laurel (laurus nobilis). [/quote] I'm not much of an expert on plants and just saw the laurels listed and didn't really note the different species, I just tend to work on not allowing dogs, or cats come to that, to chew leaves on plants. Better safe than sorry
Re: New hedge. The perils of Laurel..? That's fine. I just clarified to stop anyone rushing out and chopping down their bay hedges.
Re: New hedge. The perils of Laurel..? The yellow rose is a climbing Graham Thomas. I've also got a deep pink, peony like rose Royal Jubilee, two white shrubs Claire Austin(beautiful creamy white) and a standard Pat Austin(lovely coppery orange). When I was in Southampton I had a small courtyard patio and put a Madame Alfred Carriere climber(white) in a pot which was a bit optimistic. It's been replanted here and actually seems to be doing ok, I'm hopeful it'll flower this year!!
Re: New hedge. The perils of Laurel..? [quote author=bbrown link=topic=10500.msg155316#msg155316 date=1428576208] The yellow rose is a climbing Graham Thomas. I've also got a deep pink, peony like rose Royal Jubilee, two white shrubs Claire Austin(beautiful creamy white) and a standard Pat Austin(lovely coppery orange). When I was in Southampton I had a small courtyard patio and put a Madame Alfred Carriere climber(white) in a pot which was a bit optimistic. It's been replanted here and actually seems to be doing ok, I'm hopeful it'll flower this year!! [/quote] I thought the yellow was a Graham Thomas - I think it's my favourite rose - beautiful colour through out it's life and fantastic fragrance. haven't had the climbing version but always have a standard in the garden - well apart from here in France but definitely on the list for the next garden.
