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PRUNUS laurocerasus
Commonly known as Common laurel
LAURELS
Excellent for hedging even in shade
Further Reading....
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EvergreenDark green leaves, paler beneath, to 15cm (6in) long.
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White
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Height8m (26ft)
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Spread10m (33ft)
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HedgeIdeal for hedging
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Tall ShrubDense, bushy shrub becoming spreading and tree-like with age. Produces small flowers in upright racemes 5-12cm (2-4¾in) tall followed by conical, cherry-like red fruit 1cm (½in) across, ripening to black.
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Hardy - cold winterHardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters. May not withstand open/exposed sites or central/northern locations. Plant can withstand temperatures down to -15°C (5°F)
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Full shadeTolerates shade but fruiting inhibited.
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Full sun
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Partial shade
PRUNUS laurocerasus
- Details
- Description
- Mature Size
- Tips and Advice
- Goes Well With
- Planting Combinations
- Other Suggestions
- See Also...
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Additional FeaturesBerriesThese plants have berries.Good to knowWildlife plant - bees, butterflies, moths. Notably resistant to honey fungus. Naturalised in UK. Invasive.Pests & DiseasesGenerally trouble free.Place of originEastern Europe, south-western AsiaResistant to honey fungusThese plants have little or few problems with honey fungus.
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Flower ShapeCup-shaped
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HardinessFully hardy
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Leaf marginSerrulate
(see photos above) -
Leaf shapeOblong
(see photos above) -
Pruning groupPruning group 5Suitable for: Evergreen shrubs that require minimal pruning.
Action: Trim or lightly cut back shoots that spoil symmetry. Deadhead regularly.
When: Annually after flowering.
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Scented PlantsScented flowers
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Soil ConditionsFertile well drained soilModerately fertile.
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Toxic - Category CHarmful if eatenPeople and pets, i.e. cats, dogs, rabbits, rodents
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WildlifeBee friendlyButterfly friendlyRabbit Resistant
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Cold weather damage to evergreen plants
Prunus / Laurel - Growing Guide
8m (26ft)
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10m (33ft) |
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https://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/UserFiles/Image/ComboPhotos/square/196_3476_agapanthus_umbellatus_AND_prunus_laurocerasus_01.jpg)
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https://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/UserFiles/Image/ComboPhotos/square/5568_3476_Darmera_peltate,_Prunus_laurocerasus.jpg)
![](
https://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/UserFiles/Image/ComboPhotos/square/3441_2240_plum_victoria_AND_humulus_aureus_01.jpg)
![](
https://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/UserFiles/Image/ComboPhotos/square/3441_4970_plum_victoria_AND_lathyrus_red_pearl_01.jpg)
![](
https://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/UserFiles/Image/ComboPhotos/square/3300_3476_pinus_radiata_AND_prunus_laurocerasus_01.jpg)
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https://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/UserFiles/Image/ComboPhotos/square/6909_3476_magnolia_tropicana_AND_prunus_laurocerasus_01.jpg)
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https://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/UserFiles/Image/ComboPhotos/square/7446_3476_pinus_insignis_AND_prunus_laurocerasus_02.jpg)
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https://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/UserFiles/Image/ComboPhotos/square/7315_3476_wollemia_nobilis_AND_prunus_laureocerasus_01.jpg)
![AGAPANTHUS umbellatus AGAPANTHUS umbellatus](https://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/img/products/square/agapanthus_umbellatus_196.jpg)
AGAPANTHUS umbellatus
African blue lily, Lily-of-the-Nile, Love flower
![DARMERA peltata DARMERA peltata](https://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/img/products/square/darmera_peltata_5568s.jpg)
DARMERA peltata
Available from £13.50
![HUMULUS lupulus 'Aureus' HUMULUS lupulus 'Aureus'](https://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/img/products/square/humulus_lupulus_aureus_2240a.jpg)
HUMULUS lupulus 'Aureus'
Golden hop
Available from £17.50
![LATHYRUS latifolius 'Red Pearl' LATHYRUS latifolius 'Red Pearl'](https://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/img/products/square/lathyrus_latifolius_red_pearl_4970.jpg)
LATHYRUS latifolius 'Red Pearl'
Perennial pea
Available from £15.50
![MAGNOLIA 'Tropicana' MAGNOLIA 'Tropicana'](https://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/img/products/square/magnolia_tropicana_6909.jpg)
MAGNOLIA 'Tropicana'
Available from £70.00
PINUS insignis
![PINUS radiata PINUS radiata](https://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/img/products/square/Pinus_Radiata.jpg)
PINUS radiata
Monterey pine, Insignis pine
Available from £14.50
![PRUNUS PRUNUS](https://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/img/products/square/prunus_serrulata_tai_haku_3457~2.jpg)
PRUNUS
Cherry tree
WOLLEMIA nobilis
Buy Varieties of PRUNUS laurocerasus
LAURELS
![Royal Horticultural Society 'Award of Garden Merit' (AGM) AWARD](https://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/img/misc/agm_large.png)
![© Burncoose Nurseries, all pictures for illustrative purposes only. PRUNUS laurocerasus 'Otto Luyken'](https://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/img/products/squaremedium/prunus_laurocerasus_otto_luyken_3478a.jpg)
PRUNUS laurocerasus 'Otto Luyken'
Cherry laurel, Common laurel
dwarf cherry laurel
Useful extras...
![](https://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/img/products/squaremedium/Vitax_Q4_6202.jpg)
Fertilisers & Feeds - Vitax
Q4 Pelleted Fertiliser
A useful fertiliser suitable for use on a wide variety of plants. Q4 provides all the nutrients and trace elements essential for vigorous growth, abundant flowering and ripening of fruit.
3 options from £6.00
![](https://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/img/products/squaremedium/grow_your_own_front_22.jpg)
Fertilisers & Feeds - Empathy
Afterplant - Grow Your Own
AFTER PLANT GROW YOUR OWN seaweed is ready to use liquid concentrate that was specially formulated be used on all edible plants.
Only £8.00
![](https://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/img/products/squaremedium/tomatoe_front.jpg)
Fertilisers & Feeds - Empathy
Afterplant - Tomatoes
AFTER PLANT TOMATO FEED Liquid Concentrate with Bio stimulant is a high potash liquid concentrate containing seaweed extract, plant derived amino acids and other nutrients specifically formulated to benefit tomatoes and greenhouse plants.
Only £8.00
![](https://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/img/products/squaremedium/rootgrow_6203.jpg)
Fertilisers & Feeds - Empathy
Rootgrow mycorrhizal fungi
Recommended by the RHS. Contains Rootgrow™ mycorrhizal fungi. Suitable for all trees and shrubs (except rhododendrons, azaleas, heathers, cranberries and blueberries)
3 options from £3.00
![](https://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/img/products/squaremedium/RootgrowEricoid_6204.jpg)
Fertilisers & Feeds - Empathy
Rootgrow Ericoid mycorrhizal fungi
This specially adapted Rootgrow™ mycorrhizal fungi will boost the growth of acid-loving plants like rhododendrons, azaleas, heathers and blueberries.
It contains ericoid and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, which are found in poor acidic soils where ericaceous plants naturally grow.
Only £7.50
![](https://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/img/products/squaremedium/empathy-allpurpose_6208.jpg)
Fertilisers & Feeds - Empathy
All-purpose Seaweed Stimulant
All-purpose organic concentrated seaweed feed that is a ready to use, derived from sustainable harvested kelp, that can be used on all outdoor and indoor plants, except acid loving plants.
Perfect used in conjunction with Rootgrow™.
Only £7.50