A very hardy evergreen with lush, dark foliage and maroon coloured stems, Portuguese laurel hedge plants make a wonderful dense hedge, offering year-round screening, wind protection and noise reduction. Average to fast growth rate up to 12" per year. In a hedge, provide for enough space between specimens, about 3 feet so that your laurels can grow without suffocating. Fertilize with an evergreen fertilizer to ensure robust foliage.