some more pics...

you either want a SCREEN ... or you dont ...

if so ... spacing is closer.. so they grow together faster.. TO MAKE YOUR SCREEN...

and if you do that.. throw in the 4th ...

if the goal is SCREEN... then plant a screen ... no real issue of the spacing an independent cultivar might want or need... to have its own space ...

planting guide below ... in my area.. there is still day heat... i might hold them in shade for a week or two ... until night temps are nice and mild.. or cold ... at that point days temps dont matter as much ...

nice bargain you got there... 2 for one ...high five ... go get the other ...

ken

https://sites.google.com/site/tnarboretum/Home/planting-a-tree-or-shrub

These laurels are rather variable in width - anywhere from 5' to 12'! The spacing layout you have now would be a minimum for me.....I'd consider a bit further apart to reduce congestion and improve air circulation, which could help to reduce potential fungal issues that may pop up.

You sure as heck don't need a fourth in that area!!

Great, now I don't know what to do. I was about to get a 4th one today despite the rainy weather but I think I will wait on it until I can get some more feedback.

Maybe look at some mature specimens to help you figure this out. Take a look at this one from the UConn website. btw, that same website lists the mature spread at 25-30 feet!!! (Can't say I've ever seen any quite that large in my gardening career, but most cultivars of Prunus laurocerasus have the potential for developing substantial size).

Once established, yes quite fast. Personally, I would start at 5' and maybe even space out further than that. Even with that spacing, you will have a hedge-like effect in time, even if left unpruned.

And remember that spread is front and back, as well as to the sides - leave enough space so they are not fighting with the fence behind or rapidly overshadowing the plants in front. Some pruning to keep these in bounds may be in your future ;-)

And I'd get more feedback from others in your area about the advisability of using antidessicants.......the general consensus is they are rather worthless for winter protection. I can't say for sure as I have never used (or ever needed to) but the topic used to come up rather frequently here.

What's that 'shrub' to the right of them? I'd take that out and add a fourth or space them out more. Space about 5 to 8 feet apart on center, depending on if you do or don't want a gap between them. Not quite sure what you mean by 'natural'-looking screen. They are ideal hedging plants.

Perhaps though the further north they live, the less quickly they grow. Mine are easily 6 feet in diameter now and about 9 feet high.

I am more than a bit curious about opinions regarding the hardiness of these shrubs. UConn claims zone 6, possibly even zone 5. However, that may very well be pushing things if they are expected to look good through the winter. So any ideas regarding their lower limit before they start winterburning and looking terrible? Also any ideas of their lower limit of survival? I may want to try one anyway, just because.

What were the previous shrubs, Aucuba?

Many were damaged the last two winters here in 7a. Usually the sunny side got the worst winter burn. Those in at least some shade did much better. I think they need a really good watering going into winter as well.

I found this site because I am getting ready to plant about the same size skip laurel that you have in your pics. I also want a "Natural" look. I can't understand why someone can't understand what you mean by that. I also am like you and what that means to me is I do not like scrubs cut and trimmed into a box looking bush or with a flat-top. I like my scrubs to have the room to grow more natural requiring little to no pruning or trimming in the years to come. Some of us just don't like the "hedge" look. I say everybody to their own style as long as the plant does well. Vickie in Nashville TN.

If you don't like the formal 'hedge look', plant them much further apart... and NOT in a row.

Huh! my neighbota Skip laurels are easily 25 feet tall!! Huge but gorgeous! we are in NJ so zone six and they thrive here

Looks like it is about 7-8 years later. How does everyones scip laurels look today? I am getting ready to plant some, and it looks like 5' between each is best? I need mine to get about 8-10 ft high. They are going along the 6ft fence at back of yard, so am thinking that I would like them to grow in their natural state instead of trimming and boxing out like a formal hedge. Would love to know spacing between plantings that everyone did, and would be great to see how they are now that it is 7 or so years later! Thanks.

I’m planting 6 skip laurals and am researching how far to space them. I want a ”natural” looking scrern effect. The gardrn center suggested 10’-15’ apart.

Susan - I had 10 planted last summer. It was a cold rough winter, but they seem to be doing ok. Will hopefully get dark green all over again once warmer temps. They spaced mine out about 8 ft apart from centers. I wanted a little space between them when they mature. If they end up touching, I will be ok, but was told 8 ft will be just barely touching or maybe a little space between, depending on how they end up at maturity. They were about 6ft tall when put in the ground. Lost one last September and replaced it. But overall, they have been easy to take care of in their new garden home.

Allie, I am also NJ here (Zone 7a/b), unfortunately, too big and fast growing for my space, need to remove them. They make an excellent wall of green but need space when really happy!