Prunus laurocerasus
Common laurel, Cherry laurel
- Height × spread
- 8m × 9m
- Position
- All conditions
- Hardiness
- Cold to -15C (RHS H5)
- Flowers
- Spring
Availability
Generally available in Spring, Summer & Autumn
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
This hearty evergreen has big glossy leaves, used for screening and shelter. It can be clipped or allowed to luxuriate with its shining leaves that reflect the light and almost always look healthy. It flowers in May with tiny blooms that carry a strong floral fragrance, similar to that of a lily. This is a shrub that is often disregarded but which in winter, with frost edging the leaves with silver, is a beauty for the garden.
- Flower colour
- White
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Fruit colour
- Red
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- Yes, floral-lily
- Shape
- Bell
- Height
- 8m
- Spread
- 9m
- Height in 10 years
- 2m
- Spread in 10 years
- 3m
- Flowers in
- Spring
- Evergreen
- Evergreen
- Garden style
- Scented garden
- Sun or shade
- All conditions
- Soil type
- Clay, Gravelly soil, Loam (normal), Poor soil, Sandy soil
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Damp and wet soil, Well drained soil
- Hardiness
- Cold to -15C (RHS H5)
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Hedge, Screening, Structural, Rabbit resistant, Bee attraction, Butterfly attraction, Bird attraction
- Hazards
- Yes, potentially harmful; Humans: Harmful if eaten
Spring
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed young plants with slow release fertiliser
Spread a slow release fertiliser around the base of the plant to the edge of the foliage spread, so that it can feed the roots. It is helpful for this to be applied for several years.
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost until the plant becomes well established.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water to keep the soil moist
For best results, this plant needs soil that is always moist. Water deeply and regularly as soon as soil appears dry. Even for established plants in the ground, a dry week can cause problems with some soils. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather. Or install an automatic irrigation system which will do the hard work for you, even when you are away on holiday.
Without regular watering some plants never fully regain their beauty.
Spring · Planting
Prune lightly after flowering
Give the plant a light haircut, generally tidying it up and removing any shoots that are wayward or damaged in any way. Dead flowers can be cut off if this is practical - the shrub may have too many, or they may be hard to reach.
Planting & general
Outdoor planting · Planting
Add root growth stimulant to the planting hole
Mycorrhizal fungi helps roots establish quickly, so they absorb water and nutrients more efficiently. It comes as a powder, granule or gel. Add to the planting hole or container, and to the plant's rootball before planting in the hole. For "bareroot" plants use a gel.
Found in
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