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Form
An upright, large shrub or small tree with dense, wide-spreading
growth. Cultivars offer various forms.
Leaves
Alternate, simple leaf is glossy, medium to dark green above
and paler below with round nectar discs on the underside. Oblong,
2" – 6" in length, one third as wide, a slightly
toothed or entire margin. Leaves may loose some of their sheen in
colder areas. May be mildly POISONOUS.
Fall Color
No color change.
Stem/Buds/Bark
Stems are slender to moderate in size and green the first year,
becoming light brown and finally gray brown. They remain smooth
except for raised leaf scars. Buds may occur singly or in multiples
and are rounded or oval with numerous scales.
Flowers
White flowers, 1/4" across, are borne in 2" –
5" long clusters in the leaf axils. Very fragrant; showy.
Flowering Time
April through May.
Fruit
A green drupe, oval or round, 1/3" – 1/2" long,
ripens to purple or black in summer. May be mildly POISONOUS. Seedlings
may become a problem in some areas.
Landscape Uses
Cherry laurel is used as a hedge or windbreak shrub or may be
grown as a small tree. Low growing cultivars are suited for foundation
and ground cover use. Cherry laurel will flowers well in shade.
Major Landscape Features
Medium to large shrub to small tree; border, hedge and screen
plant; very dark foliage; flowers in shade.
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Hardiness Range
6 – 9
Native Habitat
SE Europe, Near East
Height
10 – 15 feet
Growth Rate
Medium to fast
Spread
10 – 15 feet
Exposure
Sun to shade
Culture
Cherry laurel grows best in moist, well-drained soil high
in organic content. It tolerates a range of conditions including
salt spray. It may be susceptible to root rots in wet clay
soils. Do not fertilize excessively. Older plants may need
occasional renovation pruning.
Pest Problems
Insects – Grasshoppers and other foliage-eating insects,
borers.
Diseases – Leaf spot, shothole-type fungus.
Abiotic – Root rots in very wet soil, leaf scorch.
Cultivars
"Otto Luyken" – Low, compact, slow-growing
form, 3-4 feet high and 6 – 8 feet wide; long, narrow,
dark green leaves; very free flowering. "Schipkaensis"
– Very hardy form; 4-5 feet height although may reach
10 feet; narrow, dark green leaves. "Zabeliana"
– Narrow, dark green, entire leaves; low form suitable
for ground cover in heavy shade, averages 3 foot height, 12
foot width; very free flowering.
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