Yes Bernard think you ve answered your own question there.It flowers on new growth developing in spring so pruning then will remove them.

To be honest rarely see a laurel hedge in flower as most are clipped yearly I think even an autumn trim would prevent flower production as hedge would concentrate on leaf growth before developing flowers.

The only laurels seen in flower are those that have been left for some time as either specimens that allowed to mature or hedges that have been neglected for several years.If you require a nicely clipped hedge think you may have to forego it flowering.

Ummm I wasn't aware that laurel's 'flowered' as such?? I have berries on mine in the autumn.

Yes Busybee they all do Common , Bay and Cherry laurel flower and produce berries if left unpruned.

You may have Spotted laurel - Acuba Japonica - which produces berries without flowering and isnt really a laurel at all .

I do indeed have spotted laurel, Bonkersbon! :o)

Hello Bernard,
A trimmed hedge will most likely flower from the top growth. I am about to start trimming now and will continue until Christmas, sides first, top last. The flowers will come on top in May. The hedges are all about 14ft. high.

Bb - Aucubas 'do' have flowers, but they're really tiny purple ones. You have to search for them, almost with a magnifying glass!

Heehee the neighbours really would think i was a bit loopy if I had the magnifying glass out, Spritz! I get enough funny looks when I'm out the front with my camera lol! :o))

Don't let it worry you, Busybee, all gardeners are loopy! LOL.

Supposing I leave it unpruned this year - would I get flowers and I could then trim the hedge afterwards?

All plants flower before producing fruit, berries, seeds etc. Even Aucuba produce flowers, they are just small and brown in colour but still flowers.

In order to get flowers Bernard you need to be prepared to allow laurel free reign to grow.This photo shows a hedge well clipped and forgive me but you seem to be asking if you can retain a well clipped laurel with flowers unless you follow Drb s example by allowing the top growth to grow - the simple answer is no.You have choice between a well clipped formal hedge or a less formal flowering one.

As regards Acuba not grown for its flowers - its not a laurel and my reply was intended to help Busybee differentiate.

Sorry, me just being too technical again :-)

And me - sorry! Aucuba flowers aren't in the least bit worth keeping. :-((

Sorry to be going on a bit, but assuming this is variety that does have flowers, surely if I leave it unpruned the year, it will flower next year all over. I'm not clear why it would only flower on the top.

No need to apologise anyone long days at work cutting hedges etc customers reminding me we re in a recession trying to get more for less.. feeling a little tetchy not your fault.Shouldnt reply when tired .. sorry .

Think of it as tree rather than a shrub Bernard a tree would need a few years to reach maturity height to flower once pruning and clipping stopped.Trees flower from their canopy think DRb has left top but clipped sides ? They will flower from top to bottom left unchecked but this will take some years from a former hedge,they require a lot of height and space to acheive this.

They can reach difficult heights as a result I ve needed ladders and saws to tame neglected ones , so as nice as flowers may be would recommend carry on clipping.

Thanks everyone for your comments.