Cherry laurel

Sun

Full sun to full shade; dense shade reduces flowering and can make growth less compact.

Water

Moderate; water regularly while establishing, then during prolonged dry spells. Established plants tolerate some drought.

Soil

Moist, well-drained soil, including clay that does not stay waterlogged. Tolerates a broad pH range, but very chalky soil can cause yellowing.

Height

15-30 ft (4.6-9.1 m) unpruned; some plants grow taller

Spread

15-30 ft (4.6-9.1 m) unpruned

Flowers

Spring; small creamy-white flowers in upright clusters, followed by red fruits that ripen black.

Foliage

Evergreen. Large, leathery, glossy dark-green leaves with finely toothed edges.

Growth

Fast; often 1-2 ft (0.3-0.6 m) a year once established.

Care needed

Medium

• Water deeply through the first two growing seasons whenever the root zone starts to dry.
• Apply 2-3 in (5-8 cm) of organic mulch over the roots, keeping it clear of the stems.
• Feed in spring only if growth is weak; check drainage and soil conditions before adding fertiliser.
• Keep planting depth at the original root collar and avoid sites with standing winter water.
• Remove unwanted seedlings promptly, especially near woodland.

Pruning. Trim hedges in late spring or early summer after checking for active bird nests; use secateurs where practical because hedge trimmers leave cut leaves with brown edges. Renovate overgrown plants in early spring, reducing them in stages over two or three years.

Early spring

Remove frost-damaged shoots once new growth shows which stems are alive; begin staged renovation if needed.

Spring

Renew mulch and check young plants for dry soil.

Late spring

Trim established hedges after checking for nesting birds; delay work around active nests.

Summer

Water young plants deeply during dry weather and inspect leaves for shot-hole symptoms.

Late summer

Take semi-ripe cuttings from healthy, non-flowering shoots.

Autumn

Plant where winters are mild and soil drains freely; remove seedlings and unwanted fruit clusters where spread is a concern.

Winter

Check exposed plants for wind scorch and make sure containers or planting beds are not waterlogged.

• Clip into a tall evergreen boundary hedge where there is room for its substantial width.
• Use as a dark backdrop to hydrangeas, ferns and pale-flowered shade plants.
• Plant an informal screen in a large garden, allowing enough space for its natural rounded habit.
• Use repeated clipped blocks to give structure to formal gardens through winter.

Garden styles it suits: Formal, Traditional, Woodland, Grand estate, Green on green and Winter interest.

Plant it with: Oakleaf hydrangea, Japanese anemone, Hellebore, Soft shield fern, Epimedium and Hosta.

Wildlife: Flowers provide nectar and pollen for insects, while dense foliage offers bird nesting cover. Birds eat the fruits and disperse the seeds; in invaded woodland, dense laurel growth shades out native plants.

• Shot-hole symptoms: fungal or bacterial leaf spots leave small holes as damaged tissue drops out. Clear fallen leaves, avoid overhead watering and improve airflow; mild damage is usually cosmetic.
• Vine weevil: larvae damage roots, especially in containers. Check failing plants and use an approved biological nematode treatment under suitable soil-temperature conditions.
• Root rot: persistently wet soil causes yellowing, wilting and dieback. Improve drainage or move the plant; badly rotted plants may need removal.
• Winter scorch: cold winds and frozen or dry soil brown the foliage. Shelter exposed plants, water before freezing weather if soil is dry, and prune dead growth after spring recovery begins.

Toxic to people, cats, dogs and horses. Leaves, shoots and seeds contain cyanogenic compounds that can release cyanide when chewed; wilted or damaged foliage is also hazardous. Serious or fatal poisoning is possible, particularly in grazing animals. Do not eat the fruits, and keep all hedge clippings away from livestock and pets.

Where it spreads. Spreads by bird-carried seed and can form dense woodland thickets. It is invasive in parts of the United Kingdom and Ireland, the Pacific Northwest of the United States, and southwestern British Columbia, Canada. It is also an environmental weed in parts of southeastern Australia, including Victoria and Tasmania. Check local guidance before planting near natural areas.

• Portuguese laurel (Prunus lusitanica)

  Usually has smaller, narrower leaves with more pointed tips and conspicuously reddish leaf stalks and young stems.

• Bay laurel (Laurus nobilis)

  Has narrower leaves with often wavy, untoothed margins and small yellowish flower clusters rather than upright white flower spikes. Do not use cherry laurel as a culinary substitute.

• Carolina cherry laurel (Prunus caroliniana)

  Usually has smaller, narrower leaves and shorter flower clusters; mature leaves commonly have nearly smooth margins.

The name laurocerasus means 'laurel-cherry', referring to its laurel-like evergreen leaves and cherry-like fruits.

Propagation. Take semi-ripe cuttings in late summer and root them in a free-draining medium with gentle humidity. Named cultivars should be propagated from cuttings rather than seed.

Accepted botanical name

Prunus laurocerasus

In the US and Canada

Introduced in Canada and the lower 48 states.

Native range

Albania, Bulgaria, Iran, Libya, North Caucasus, Romania, Tadzhikistan, Transcaucasus, Turkey, Turkey-in-Europe and Yugoslavia.

Measured

Soil pH 5.5 to 6.5. Average height 500 cm.

Sources: GBIF (CC BY 4.0), USDA PLANTS and Trefle (CC BY 4.0). The care and design notes are LandscapeGPT's own.