Umbellularia californica
Myrtle, Oregon myrtle, California laurel, Pepperwood, Headache tree
- Height × spread
- 12m × 7m
- Position
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Average winter to - 10C (RHS H4)
- Flowers
- Spring
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
This good looking tree could be mistaken for a form of bay laurel, Laurus nobilis, or even one of the common laurel, Prunus laurocerasus, cultivars. It comes from California and is somewhat tender so best for milder parts of the country. It is only likely to reach around 12m (40ft) height in Irish and British gardens but would reach as much as 24m (60ft) in its homeland. It is a highly aromatic tree. The aroma is strong and sweetly pungent, camphor-like in scent and effect. The scent is noticeable if the foliage is bruised and can be so strong it can cause dizziness or headaches. It has smooth lance-shaped greenish yellow leaves. There are little yellowish green tufts of flowers in spring and oval, purple fruits, a little like plums.
- Flower colour
- Yellow
- Foliage colour
- Yellow
- Fruit colour
- Purple
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Bell
- Height
- 12m
- Spread
- 7m
- Height in 10 years
- 4m
- Spread in 10 years
- 3m
- Season of interest
- Spring
- Flowers in
- Spring
- Evergreen
- Evergreen
- Garden style
- Scented garden, Mediterranean garden
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun
- Soil type
- Chalk, Loam (normal), Poor soil, Sandy soil
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Well drained soil, Dry soil, Drought resistant
- Hardiness
- Average winter to - 10C (RHS H4)
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Architectural
- Hazards
- No
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 in dry periods
Established plants in the ground can cope with 7-10 days of dryness, and shrubs often manage 2 to 3 weeks. Water one section of the garden thoroughly each day rather than a little everywhere. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather.
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.
Planting
Protect & support young trees
Attach a newly planted tree or tall shrub over 1m to a tree stake to give support and prevent windrock. Use a tree guard to stop tree bark being eaten by animals, especially in areas with deer - removing bark injures a tree and in worst case can kill it.