Prunus Novita Standard Espalier

Description

Quick Facts
– Botanical Name: Prunus laurocerasus ‘Novita’
– Common Name: Novita Laurel — Standard Espalier
– Plant Type: Evergreen shrub, trained standard espalier
– Stem Height: 1.8m clear stem
– Frame Size: 100cm wide × 120cm high
– Flowering Period: Spring (April–May)
– Flower Colour: White, fragrant racemes
– Foliage Colour: Rich mid-green; elongated, narrower leaf than common laurel
– Hardiness: Fully hardy
– Soil Requirements: Moist, well-drained; tolerant of most soil types
– Aspect: Full sun to full shade
– Maintenance: Low to moderate — light annual pruning to maintain the espalier frame

Description
Anyone who has grown a laurel hedge will know just how hardworking and generous this plant is — and ‘Novita’ in this trained standard espalier form takes everything you love about laurel and presents it in a beautifully refined, architectural way. Raised on a clear stem of 1.8 metres with a neat, flat frame of 100cm × 120cm, this is a truly versatile evergreen specimen. ‘Novita’ is a slightly more refined take on the classic laurel — its leaves are longer and narrower with a more delicate quality than its larger, glossier parent — giving the trained frame an elegant, lighter feel without sacrificing any of the dense, reliable coverage that makes this family of plants so enduringly popular. Evergreen, fast-growing, and remarkably unfussy, this is a plant that earns its place in the garden all year round.

Caragh Garden Notebook

Planting:
Plant in spring or autumn in any reasonably well-drained soil. One of the great strengths of laurel is its adaptability — ‘Novita’ will establish well in sun, partial shade, or even full shade, making it an excellent choice for difficult or overlooked spots in the garden. Fix the frame to wall wires or a sturdy support structure to keep the espalier flat and well-anchored.

Watering:
Water well after planting and during dry spells in the first growing season. Once established, ‘Novita’ is a tough, drought-tolerant plant that requires very little additional watering.

Feeding:
Apply a balanced general fertiliser in spring to encourage healthy, vigorous growth and maintain the density of the frame. A mulch of well-rotted compost around the base will also help retain moisture and support establishment.

Seasonal Care & Tidy-Up:
Prune once or twice a year — ideally in late spring after flowering and again in late summer if needed — to keep the frame neat and encourage bushy, dense coverage. Use secateurs rather than shears where possible to avoid cutting through the leaves, which can cause browning at the edges.

Division (to keep plants vigorous):
Not applicable. Remove any shoots that grow forward out of the flat plane of the frame, and tie in lateral growth along the framework to maintain the clean espalier profile.

Pests & Problems:
Generally very healthy and reliable. Vine weevil can occasionally affect container-grown plants; check the compost if plants show signs of stress. Shot hole disease (small holes in the foliage) can appear in wet conditions but is largely cosmetic and does not affect the plant’s overall health or vigour.

Design Notes:
The standard espalier form makes ‘Novita’ an outstanding choice for walls, fences, boundaries, and narrow spaces where you need evergreen coverage at height without depth. The 1.8 metre clear stem lifts the frame off the ground beautifully, allowing planting beneath and creating a layered, considered look. Ideal for screening, privacy, or as a structural evergreen feature in both formal and contemporary settings. A pair flanking a gate or entrance makes a particularly smart and lasting impression.

Propagation:
Semi-hardwood cuttings can be taken in late summer, though for trained standard espalier specimens, sourcing prepared nursery stock is strongly recommended to preserve the form and quality of the framework.