Cherry laurel (Prunus laurocerasus)

Commonly known as Cherry Laurel or English Laurel, Prunus laurocerasus is a vigorous, broad, spreading evergreen shrub prized for its dense, glossy foliage and creamy-white flowers. Cherry laurels are shade tolerant and rapid growers that can be ideal for privacy shrubs in a garden setting. They are resilient and quite easy to care for, especially when already well-established in the garden.

I. Appearance and Characteristics

Prunus laurocerasus, also known as cherry laurel, common laurel and sometimes English laurel in North America, is an evergreen species of cherry (Prunus), native to regions bordering the Black Sea in southwestern Asia and southeastern Europe, from Albania and Bulgaria east through Turkey to the Caucasus Mountains and northern Iran.

Prunus laurocerasus is an evergreen shrub or small to medium-sized tree, growing to 5 to 15 metres (16 to 49 ft) tall, rarely to 18 metres (59 ft), with a trunk up to 60 cm broad. The leaves are dark green, leathery, shiny, (5–)10–25(–30) cm long and 4–10 cm broad, with a finely serrated margin. The leaves can have the scent of almonds when crushed. The flower buds appear in early spring and open in early summer in erect 7–15 cm racemes of 30–40 flowers, each flower 1 cm across, with five creamy-white petals and numerous yellowish stamens with a sweet smell. The fruit is a small cherry 1–2 cm broad, turning black when ripe in early autumn.

It has become naturalised widely. In some regions (such as the United Kingdom, the Isle of Man and the Pacific Northwest of North America), this species can be an invasive plant. Its rapid growth, coupled with its evergreen habit and its tolerance of drought and shade, often allow it to out-compete and kill off native plant species. It is spread by birds, through the seeds in their droppings.

The foliage is also used for cut greenery in floristry.

The fruits are astringent but edible. They contain small amounts of hydrogen cyanide; any fruit tasting bitter (which indicates larger concentrations of hydrogen cyanide) should not be eaten. The seed inside the fruit (and the leaves) contain larger concentrations of hydrogen cyanide, and should never be eaten. The toxicity of the seed inside the fruit is similar to the cyanide toxicity of the seeds inside the common fruits apricot and peach.

II. How to Grow and Care

Sunlight

Cherry laurel grows best in part to full shade in Zones 8 and 9 and grows well in full sun or shade in Zones 6 and 7. In hot regions, such as the Deep South, it benefits from some afternoon shade. It also grows in deep shade and thrives, but it grows slowly there.

Temperature and Humidity

Heat and humidity are no problem for cherry laurel. This tough shrub is beloved for its ability to flower, fruit, and thrive through long periods of high heat and humidity. In Zones 8 and 9, plant it where it receives afternoon shade to shield it from the most intense heat of the day.

Watering

For optimal growth, you’ll want to water your cherry laurel frequently enough that the soil stays moist, but don’t allow it to become too soggy.

Soil

Proper drainage is crucial for the survival of the cherry laurel plant. It also prefers fertile, slightly acidic soil.

Fertilizing

Fertilizer is not required. If desired, fertilize plants in early spring by spreading a 2-inch-thick layer of well-decomposed compost over the root zone or use an all-purpose fertilizer according to the product instructions.

Planting Instructions

Dig a hole that is slightly larger than the rootball and place the plant in the hole, making sure the top of the rootball is level with the surrounding soil. Backfill the hole with soil, firming it gently around the plant’s roots to remove any air pockets. Water the plant thoroughly after planting to help it establish, and then add a mulch to hold in moisture.

The spacing of plants will depend on the desired density of your cherry laurel hedge. For a single-row hedge, space the plants about 60-90cm apart. If you’re planting a double-row hedge, space the rows about 45-60cm apart, with the plants staggered for optimal coverage. It’s important to consider the mature size of cherry laurel when spacing your plants to avoid overcrowding as they grow.

Pruning

Pruning is an important part of cherry laurel hedge maintenance, as it helps to promote bushier growth, maintain a desired shape and prevent the hedge (and root system) from becoming too large. With regular pruning you can keep your cherry laurel’s growth in check.

The best time to prune cherry laurel is in late spring or early summer, after the plant has finished flowering. Start by removing any dead, diseased or damaged branches. Then, trim back the tips of the branches to the desired height, using sharp, clean pruning shears. If your hedge is in a particularly noticeable part of the garden you may want to do your pruning with secateurs to avoid cutting the broad leaves in half, which can look unsightly when seen up-close.

It’s important to wear gloves and protective clothing when pruning cherry laurel, as the leaves and branches contain toxic compounds that can cause skin irritation or even respiratory issues. Avoid burning cherry laurel trimmings, as the smoke can be toxic. Instead, dispose of the trimmings in a safe and responsible manner, such as through composting or green waste collection.

Propagation

Cherry laurel can be propagated through various methods:

Seeds: collect ripe berries from a mature cherry laurel plant and remove the fleshy pulp to reveal the hard seed inside. Plant the seeds in pots or trays filled with free-draining potting mix and keep them in a sheltered spot. Germination can take several months, so be patient.

Cuttings: take semi-ripe cuttings of 10-15cm in length from the current season’s growth in late summer or early autumn. Dip the cuttings in fresh rooting hormone and plant them in a free-draining potting mix. Keep the cuttings in a sheltered spot and mist them regularly to maintain high humidity. Rooting should occur within a few months.

Suckers: cherry laurel can produce suckers, which are shoots that emerge from the base of the plant. To propagate through suckers, carefully dig them out and replant them in pots or directly in the ground

Potting and Repotting

Cherry laurel can grow in a container that offers good drainage. It is sensitive to overwatering and prefers to grow in well-drained soil that is allowed to dry out slightly between waterings. Water cherry laurel growing in a container with care. The plant is a fast grower, so it may outgrow its container. When it does, choose a larger container for repotting, or replant the cherry laurel outside in the garden.

Overwintering

In the coldest areas of its range, the cherry laurel can suffer from winter exposure. To protect your laurel from browning or falling leaves during cold weather, loosely place a protective layer of burlap around the shrub, making sure not to wrap tightly. It’s important to keep air flowing within the plant’s foliage to maintain health.

Pests and Diseases

Cherry laurel is generally resistant to pests and diseases but, like any plant, it can still be susceptible to certain issues.

• Leaf spot

This fungal disease can cause brown spots on the leaves of cherry laurel. To prevent leaf spot, avoid overhead watering and provide good air circulation around the plants. If leaf spot occurs, remove and destroy infected leaves.

• Powdery mildew

This fungal disease can cause a powdery white coating on the leaves of cherry laurel. To prevent it, avoid overcrowding of plants and provide good air circulation. If powdery mildew occurs, remove and destroy infected leaves.

• Laurel shot hole

This harmless condition looks like something has been eating holes in the leaves. It’s caused by a fungus, not insects. It’s more likely to happen in areas with a high concentration of foliage, such as in a hedge. Additionally, damp weather and low sunlight can contribute to this issue. To prevent shot hole organically, it’s essential to sweep up fallen laurel leaves frequently, prune out dead or ingrowing branches within the plants, and enhance air circulation around the plants.

III. Types of Cherry Laurel

There are several cherry laurel cultivars. Each cultivar differs by size and sometimes growth habit. Common cultivars include:

• Schipka

Schipka cherry laurel (Prunus laurocerasus ‘Schipkaensis’) is an upright shrub with a vase shape. Its fragrant, white flowers appear in spring. With its narrow base, it’s perfect for perennial borders or adding to a mixed shrub planting. It grows 10 to 15 feet tall and 5 to 7 feet wide. It tolerates alkaline soil. Zones 5–9

• Volcano

Volcano cherry laurel (Prunus laurocerasus ‘Jong1’) has a rounded, compact form. Its new leaves emerge with dark red tones and mature to bright green in summer. It grows 4 to 6 feet tall and 4 to 5 feet wide. This compact cherry laurel is perfect for filling in empty spaces in the landscape. Zones 6–9

• Greenfinity

Greenfinity cherry laurel (Prunus laurocerasus ‘Greenfinity’) produces small white flowers in spring and has bright green new growth that matures to rich green in summer. It grows 4 to 5 feet tall and 3 to 4 feet wide. Zones 5-10

IV. Uses and Benefits

• Ornamental uses

Prunus laurocerasus is a widely cultivated ornamental plant, used for planting in gardens and parks in temperate regions worldwide. It is often used for hedges, as a screening plant, and as a massed landscape plant.