Prunus laurocerasus

• BOTANICAL NAME: Prunus laurocerasus
• PRONUNCIATION:
  PRUN-us lar-o-ser-A-sus
• COMMON NAME: Cherrylaurel
• FAMILY: Rosaceae
• NATIVITY: Southeastern Europe, Asia Minor
• GROWTH HABIT: Wide-spreading dense shrub, sometimes a small tree.
• SIZE: 10' - 18' tall; can spread to 25'
• HARDINESS: Zone 6-8
• CULTURE: Can be planted in full sun, but grows best in part sun to shade.  Moist, well-drained soil; does poorly in wet areas.  Tolerates pruning well.
• LANDSCAPE USE: Effective in groupings or as a hedge; useful in shady areas.   Attractive to birds.
• FOLIAGE: Alternate, oblong, slightly serrate, 2-6" long, leathery, lustrous dark green above, pale green beneath.  2-4 glands present below (along midvein) or above (near base of leaf).
• FLOWERS:  Strongly fragrant.  Large, upright clusters of 1/4" to 1/3" white blossoms on 2-5" racemes.
• BARK: Green; cherry-like aroma when bruised.
• FRUIT: Small, purple-black drupe; concial-round; ripens in summer.
• PROPAGATION: Seed or cuttings.
• PESTS: Various insects damage foliage; susceptible to shot-hole disease; root rot can be a problem in poorly-drained soils.
• CULTIVARS: Species is rare in cultivation. Compact cultivars are popular landscape specimens.
  • `Forest Green' - Black-green leaves, 4-6' tall
  • `Schipkaensis' -  Dark green leaves, hardy to Zone 5, 4-5' tall