Prunus laurocerasus commonly called cherry laurel or English laurel is a broad, dense, spreading, evergreen shrub that in cultivation typically matures over time to 10-18’ tall with a spread of 20-25’. It is native to southeastern Europe and southwestern Asia where plants in the wild may become quite tree-like, eventually reaching 30’ in height. Lustrous, oblong, dark green leaves (to 6” long). Foliage is evergreen with no fall color. Tiny, cup-shaped, creamy white flowers in upright clusters (racemes to 5” long) bloom from the leaf axils in April-May. Flowers have a powerful aroma. Flowers give way to somewhat inconspicuous black drupes that ripen in mid-summer. This fruit is inedible for humans (bitter aftertaste) but is loved by local bird populations.
Genus name from Latin means plum or cherry tree.
The specific epithet means laurel cherry about its laurel-like evergreen leaves and cherry-like fruit.
| Requirement | |
|---|---|
| Hardiness | 6,7,8 |
| Heat Zones | 6,7,8 |
| Climate Zones | 6, 7, 8, 9 |
| Plant Type | Shrubs |
| Plant Family | Rosacea |
| Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
| Season of Interest | Spring, Winter, Early Spring |
| Height | 3' - 4' |
| Spread | 3' - 4', 6' - 7' |
| Water Needs | Average |
| Maintenance | Low |
| Soil Type | Acid |
| Characteristics | Fragrant, Evergreen, Attracts Butterflies |
| Garden Styles | City and Courtyard, Coastal Garden, Formal Garden |
| Planting Place | Banks and Slopes, Beds and Borders |