Novita Laurel Topiary Lollipops – Prunus laurocerasus ‘Novita’
£99.79 – £399.79
The Novita Laurel Topiary Lollipop (Prunus laurocerasus ‘Novita’) is a hardy, evergreen topiary tree that offers year-round structure, glossy foliage, and seasonal flowering. With its naturally compact habit and minimal pruning requirements, it is an excellent choice for formal gardens, patios, and urban landscapes. Whether planted as a standalone feature, in pairs for symmetrical design, or within a structured planting scheme, this elegant topiary remains a practical and stylish addition to any outdoor setting.
Novita Laurel Topiary Lollipops – Prunus laurocerasus ‘Novita’
Overview
Prunus laurocerasus ‘Novita’, commonly known as Novita Laurel, is a robust, evergreen shrub that has been expertly shaped into an elegant topiary lollipop. With its dense, glossy green foliage and naturally vigorous growth, this striking tree adds year-round structure to gardens, patios, and formal landscapes. Unlike traditional cherry laurels, ‘Novita’ is highly resistant to cold temperatures, making it a reliable choice for UK gardens. Its resilience, low maintenance needs, and ability to thrive in a variety of conditions make it a practical and attractive addition to any outdoor space.
Why Choose Novita Laurel Topiary?
Novita Laurel is an excellent choice for gardeners seeking a hardy, low-maintenance evergreen that provides architectural interest and privacy. Unlike some topiary trees, which require frequent shaping, ‘Novita’ maintains its structured, spherical form with minimal pruning. Its deep green, leathery leaves create a striking contrast against lighter foliage and provide an excellent windbreak or screening solution for smaller spaces. Furthermore, its high tolerance to pollution, shade, and urban conditions makes it ideal for courtyards, driveways, and contemporary landscapes.
Growth and Seasonal Interest
As an evergreen, Novita Laurel offers consistent year-round interest. Its broad, dark green leaves remain vibrant even in the coldest months, ensuring a lush display throughout the seasons. In spring, small white flowers appear in upright clusters, attracting pollinators and adding a delicate touch to the tree. By late summer and autumn, small black berries may develop, providing a food source for birds and enhancing its seasonal appeal. During winter, when many other plants lose their foliage, the Novita Laurel’s dense, glossy canopy continues to provide structure and shelter in the garden.
Pruning and Maintenance
Novita Laurel requires minimal pruning to maintain its refined lollipop shape. A light trim once or twice a year, ideally in late spring or early summer, will keep its rounded form neat and compact. This variety tolerates pruning well, and any stray or overly long branches can be trimmed as needed. It is best to avoid heavy pruning in late autumn, as tender new growth may be more vulnerable to frost damage. For container-grown specimens, repotting every three to five years and occasional root pruning will help sustain long-term health.
Hardiness and Winter Care
Classified as RHS Hardiness Rating H5, Novita Laurel can withstand temperatures down to approximately -15°C, making it one of the hardiest cherry laurels available. Fully suited to UK gardens, it thrives in both sheltered and exposed locations. While established trees require little winter care, container-grown specimens may benefit from additional root protection, such as mulching around the base or wrapping pots with fleece to prevent freezing.
Ideal Growing Conditions
This adaptable tree grows well in full sun to partial shade, making it suitable for a variety of garden settings. It prefers moist, well-drained soil, though it will tolerate a range of soil types, including chalk, clay, and loam. Its strong root system ensures good drought resistance once established, though regular watering during extended dry periods will maintain its lush appearance. While this variety thrives in sheltered spots, it is also wind and pollution-tolerant, making it an ideal choice for urban and roadside planting.
Companion Planting Suggestions
The Novita Laurel Topiary pairs beautifully with structured hedging plants and flowering perennials. It complements yew or boxwood hedging for a formal garden design, while lavender or salvia planted at its base creates a softer contrast with year-round fragrance. In contemporary gardens, underplanting with ornamental grasses such as Stipa tenuissima enhances texture and movement, while seasonal bulbs like daffodils and crocuses provide additional bursts of color in spring.
Wildlife and Biodiversity
Novita Laurel contributes to garden biodiversity in multiple ways. Its spring flowers attract bees and pollinators, while the autumn berries provide an important food source for birds. The dense foliage offers shelter for small birds and insects, making it a valuable habitat within a wildlife-friendly planting scheme.
Fun Fact
Cherry laurels, including ‘Novita’, have been cultivated in gardens for centuries due to their hardy nature and ability to form natural screens. In traditional folklore, laurel was often planted near homes to symbolize protection and strength, making it a historically significant addition to gardens.
Summary
The Novita Laurel Topiary Lollipop (Prunus laurocerasus ‘Novita’) is a hardy, evergreen topiary tree that offers year-round structure, glossy foliage, and seasonal flowering. With its naturally compact habit and minimal pruning requirements, it is an excellent choice for formal gardens, patios, and urban landscapes. Whether planted as a standalone feature, in pairs for symmetrical design, or within a structured planting scheme, this elegant topiary remains a practical and stylish addition to any outdoor setting.
Disclaimer
The appearance of Prunus laurocerasus ‘Novita’ may vary depending on the season and maturity at the time of purchase. Flowering and berry production are influenced by environmental conditions, including sunlight and pruning. Potted specimens may require additional winter protection in colder regions.
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Novita Laurel Topiary Lollipops – Frequently Asked Questions
What makes Novita Laurel (Prunus laurocerasus ‘Novita’) a good choice for topiary?
Novita Laurel is a vigorous, hardy, and evergreen variety of Cherry Laurel, known for its dense, glossy green foliage and strong adaptability. It is ideal for topiary lollipops due to its naturally compact growth habit and ability to withstand regular pruning. Unlike standard Cherry Laurel, Novita has improved disease resistance, making it a low-maintenance choice for gardens, patios, and formal landscapes. Its fast growth rate, ability to tolerate pollution and wind, and year-round structure make it a versatile option for both urban and rural settings.
How fast does Novita Laurel Topiary grow?
Novita Laurel has a fast growth rate, typically growing 30–60 cm per year under ideal conditions. This makes it one of the quicker-growing topiary options, ideal for those wanting a full, lush appearance in a shorter time. Regular pruning keeps it neat, well-shaped, and encourages denser growth.
How often should I prune my Novita Laurel Topiary?
To maintain its perfectly rounded lollipop shape, pruning is recommended twice a year, ideally in late spring and late summer. Novita Laurel responds well to trimming, and regular pruning helps encourage dense, bushy growth. Avoid heavy pruning in autumn, as tender new shoots may be vulnerable to frost damage. Light touch-ups throughout the growing season can help refine its shape.
What are the best growing conditions for Novita Laurel Topiary?
Novita Laurel thrives in full sun to partial shade, with full sun promoting denser growth and glossier leaves. It prefers moist, well-drained soil but adapts well to a range of soil types, including chalk, loam, and sandy soils. Once established, it is drought-tolerant, requiring only occasional watering during prolonged dry periods. It is also highly resistant to pollution, wind, and urban environments, making it a great choice for city gardens and exposed locations.
Is Novita Laurel Topiary suitable for growing in pots?
Yes, Novita Laurel is well-suited for container planting, making it an excellent choice for patios, balconies, and entranceways. Use a large container (at least 50 cm in diameter) with good drainage holes to prevent waterlogging. Container-grown trees require regular watering, especially in hot weather, as soil in pots dries out more quickly than in-ground soil. Repot every three to five years to refresh the soil and prevent root congestion. Applying a balanced slow-release fertilizer in spring will help maintain healthy foliage.
How hardy is Novita Laurel, and does it need winter protection?
Novita Laurel is classified as RHS Hardiness Rating H5, meaning it can tolerate temperatures down to approximately -10°C to -15°C, making it suitable for most UK climates. It remains evergreen year-round, but in extreme cold, young leaves may bronze slightly before recovering in spring.
Young or container-grown plants may benefit from:
– A layer of mulch around the base to insulate the roots.
– Wrapping pots with fleece or moving them to a sheltered location during severe frost.
Can Novita Laurel Topiary be used as a pair for symmetrical planting?
Yes, Novita Laurel is an excellent choice for symmetrical planting, such as framing doorways, pathways, or patios. Its naturally dense growth habit and strong structure make it easy to maintain an even, formal appearance. To ensure symmetry:
– Prune both trees at the same time to maintain an identical shape.
– Choose similar-sized specimens at purchase to avoid uneven growth.
– Plant in matching conditions (same soil type, sun exposure, and container size if in pots) to encourage uniform development.
Why are the leaves on my Novita Laurel turning yellow?
Yellowing leaves can occur for several reasons:
– Overwatering or poor drainage – Novita Laurel prefers well-drained soil; excessive moisture can cause root stress.
– Underwatering in hot weather – Though drought-tolerant once established, newly planted or container-grown specimens may need extra watering in prolonged dry spells.
– Nutrient deficiencies – A lack of nitrogen can cause pale or yellowing leaves; feeding with a balanced fertilizer in spring will encourage healthy, deep green growth.
– Cold weather stress – In very harsh winters, some older leaves may bronze or yellow before dropping, which is normal and will be replaced by fresh growth in spring.
Is Novita Laurel resistant to pests and diseases?
Yes, Novita Laurel is highly resistant to most common pests and diseases, making it a low-maintenance option. However, in very humid or damp conditions, it can occasionally be affected by:
– Powdery mildew – Appears as white patches on leaves; improving air circulation and avoiding overhead watering can help.
– Shot hole disease – Small holes in leaves caused by bacterial or fungal infections, often worsened by excessive moisture. Regular pruning and good drainage can help prevent this.
– Aphids or scale insects – Rarely a major issue but can be treated with a gentle insecticidal soap if necessary.
Does Novita Laurel Topiary produce flowers or berries?
Yes, if left unpruned, Novita Laurel produces small, fragrant white flowers in late spring, followed by red berries that mature to black in autumn. However, in regularly pruned topiary forms, flowering and fruiting are minimal, as trimming removes developing buds. If flowers and berries are desired, consider lighter pruning in early spring to allow blooms to form.
Final Thoughts
Novita Laurel Topiary Lollipops are an elegant, resilient, and easy-care choice for structured gardens, patios, and urban landscapes. With lush evergreen foliage, a strong topiary shape, and fast growth, they provide year-round interest with minimal maintenance. Proper pruning, occasional feeding, and strategic placement in full sun to partial shade will ensure these stunning trees thrive for years to come.
Need More Help?
If you have any further questions about Novita Laurel Topiary Lollipops, feel free to contact us for expert advice.
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