Schip laurel

Sun

Full sun to partial shade; tolerates deeper shade but grows less densely. Shelter from cold, drying winds and intense afternoon sun in hot, dry climates.

Water

Keep the root zone evenly moist during establishment. Established plants tolerate short dry spells, but benefit from deep watering during prolonged drought; avoid waterlogged soil.

Soil

Moist, well-drained soil with organic matter. Tolerates clay if drainage is adequate; strongly alkaline soil can cause yellowing.

Height

10-15 ft (3-4.6 m) unpruned; occasionally taller

Spread

5-8 ft (1.5-2.4 m)

Flowers

Upright clusters of small, fragrant white flowers in spring, followed by fruits that ripen from red to black.

Foliage

Evergreen. Leathery, glossy dark-green leaves, narrower than those of many other cherry laurels.

Growth

Moderate to fast once established, often 1-2 ft (0.3-0.6 m) a year in favourable conditions.

Care needed

Medium

• Pollinators
• Heat tolerant
• Wildlife
• Low allergen
• Fragrant

Northern hemisphere months. In Australia, shift them by six.

Difficulty

Easy

Toughness

Fairly tough

Pick your zone, country, light and whether you have pets.

1. Planting day

   1.6 ft (0.5 m)

2. After 1 year

   4 ft (1.3 m)

3. After 2 years

   7 ft (2.2 m)

4. After 3 years

   10 ft (3 m)

5. After 5 years

   12 ft (3.8 m)

   full size

About 4 years to full size.

From a typical nursery size, at an average rate for this kind of plant. A rule of thumb, not a forecast.

Cats and dogs

Toxic

Invasive in

the US, Canada and the UK

In the garden

Spreads vigorously: plan to contain it.

Growth rate

Fast

• Water deeply through the first two growing seasons whenever the root zone begins to dry.
• Spread 2-3 in (5-8 cm) of organic mulch over the roots, keeping it clear of the stems.
• Apply a balanced slow-release fertiliser in spring only if growth is weak or the soil is poor.
• Water at soil level rather than repeatedly wetting the foliage.
• Leave enough room for the mature width, especially beside paths, walls and windows.

Pruning. Prune after flowering in late spring or early summer, using secateurs where practical to avoid leaving conspicuous cut leaf edges. For a hedge, keep the base slightly wider than the top; renovate overgrown plants in early spring, preferably over two or three years.

Early spring

Check for winter scorch and remove dead or damaged wood once new growth makes the damage clear.

Spring

Refresh mulch and feed only if needed; plant in colder regions once the soil is workable.

Late spring

Trim after flowering to maintain the hedge outline or remove misplaced shoots.

Summer

Check soil moisture during dry spells and water deeply rather than little and often.

Late summer

Take semi-ripe cuttings and remove unwanted fruit where seed spread is a concern.

Autumn

Plant in mild regions while the soil is still warm, and remove seedlings outside the intended planting.

Winter

Check young plants after storms and water during frost-free dry spells if the soil is dry.

• A clipped evergreen boundary hedge where a dense, relatively narrow screen is needed.
• An informal screen behind mixed shrub borders, allowing space for its full width.
• A dark-green backdrop for pale hydrangeas, spring bulbs and shade perennials.
• Repeated upright shrubs beside a broad path or entrance, kept clear of windows and access routes.

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

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

Wildlife: Flowers provide nectar and pollen for insects, birds eat the ripe fruit, and dense foliage offers shelter and nesting cover. Birds can also carry seeds into nearby woodland.

• Shot-hole symptoms: fungal or bacterial leaf diseases leave brown spots that fall out. Remove fallen leaves, avoid overhead watering and improve airflow; established plants often tolerate minor damage.
• Root rot: persistently wet soil causes yellowing, wilting and dieback. Correct drainage and avoid overwatering; badly affected plants may need replacement.
• Vine weevil: adults notch leaf edges and larvae eat roots, particularly in containers. Inspect roots and use suitable biological controls when soil temperatures allow.
• Winter scorch: cold wind, frozen soil and winter sun can brown leaves. Shelter exposed plants, water before the ground freezes if dry, and wait until spring to assess pruning.

Toxic to people, cats, dogs and horses. Leaves, shoots and seeds contain cyanogenic compounds that can release cyanide when chewed; ingestion can be serious or fatal. Wilted or damaged foliage remains hazardous, especially to livestock. Do not treat the fruit as edible cherries, and keep hedge clippings away from animals.

Where it spreads. Cherry laurel can spread by bird-carried seed and form dense shade in woodland. It is invasive in parts of the United Kingdom and Ireland and is an invasive concern in the Pacific Northwest of North America, including Washington, Oregon and southwestern British Columbia. This cultivar can also produce seed; check local guidance before planting near natural areas.

• Portuguese laurel (Prunus lusitanica)

  Usually has smaller, more sharply toothed leaves and conspicuously red young stems or leaf stalks.

• Bay laurel (Laurus nobilis)

  Has aromatic, often wavy-edged leaves and small yellowish flowers rather than upright white flower spikes. Do not use cherry laurel leaves as a substitute for culinary bay.

• Other cherry laurel cultivars (Prunus laurocerasus)

  Many have broader leaves or a wider, lower habit. 'Schipkaensis' is relatively upright with narrow leaves, but a reliable nursery label is the safest way to confirm the cultivar.

The cultivar name 'Schipkaensis' refers to the Shipka Pass area of Bulgaria, while cherry laurel describes its cherry-like fruit and laurel-like evergreen leaves.

Propagation. Take semi-ripe cuttings in late summer and root them in a free-draining medium under humid conditions. Seedlings do not reliably retain the cultivar's characteristics.

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.