Plants: Prunus lusitanica - Portugal laurel, cherry laurel

Portugal laurel is a great evergreen plant that is surprisingly hardier that some large-leaved cherry laurels. Origin: S.W.Europe.

This shrub has ovate to elliptic, pointed, mid-sized leaves that are deep green and glossy and have conspicuous red stalks and new twigs. Blossoms are numerous racemes, compound of white, sweetly scented flowers. Fruits are black berries, and contain the same poison found in bitter almonds.

In good soil it grows moderately or fast into a widely pyramidal large shrub with long, slightly pendent branches. The most attractive, however, is a tree form on a half-standard or a tall stem. Such plant is a true and naturally looking evergreen tree. It can be pruned in April or shaped in mid July.

It loves full sun if grown in well-drained soil but will thrive almost anywhere. In locations with cold and long winters we suggest finding it a place without direct winter sunlight that might burn its leaves. Once established it tolerates summer dry spells. On the other hand, the moister the soil is the richer and healthier foliage you can expect. Grow it preferably in neutral or slightly acidic, moist but well-drained soil, rich in organic matter. In winter provide extra watering in frost-free periods when the ground is not frozen. Reliably hardy to -23°C (USDA zone 6) but withstands short periods of lower temperatures.

Size/type: medium-sized shrub
Usual height: 2-3m
Usual width: 2-4m
Leaves: evergreen broadleaf
Colour of leaves: green
Flowers: showy
Colour of flowers: cream
Blooming time: may - june
Location: full to partial sun
Usda zone (lowest): 6 (down to -23°c)
Winter protection:
For zone 5+6: code of winter protection zone 5+6
For zone 7: code of winter protection zone 7
Belongs to categories: evergreen broadleaf