Prunus lusitanica
Portugal laurel
- Height × spread
- 3m – 8m × 1.2m – 6m
- Position
- All conditions
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
A handsome flowering shrub for year round structure and screening. The lustrous dark green foliage grows densely, perfect for creating hedges. In early summer slender sprays of tiny white scented flowers appear, attracting pollinators. Followed by dark purple, almost black berries, which the birds love to feast on. It can grow to a height/spread of 8m x 6m, prune/shape it to manage its size.
- Flower colour
- White
- Foliage colour
- Green, White
- Fruit colour
- Purple, Red
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- Yes, some varieties
- Shape
- Bell, Cone
- Height
- 3m – 8m
- Spread
- 1.2m – 6m
- Season of interest
- Spring, Summer
- Evergreen
- Evergreen
- Garden style
- Scented garden, Mediterranean 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
- Winter hardiness
- Varies, most are hardy
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Hedge, Structural, Bee attraction, Butterfly attraction
- Hazards
- Yes, some poisonous
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.
Planting & general
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.
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