Prunus lusitanica – Portuguese Laurel

Portuguese Laurel (Prunus lusitanica) is slower growing than regular laurel and not quite as dense. It has smaller, darker foliage and maroon stems and if left unclipped has small fragrant white flowers in the summer. Grows in all soils but particularly chalky soils. Easy to grow but must be kept moist and fed until established.

Cultivation
Easy to grow in any moist but well-drained moderately fertile soil in sun or partial shade. Superb hedging shrub and even thrives on poor, shallow, chalky soils

Propagation
Propagate by softwood cuttings in early summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types
Drought Resistant Hedging & Screens Low Maintenance
How to care

Family
Rosaceae

Genus
Prunus can be deciduous or evergreen trees or shrubs with showy flowers in spring, and often good autumn foliage colour. Some have edible fruit in autumn, and a few species have ornamental bark

Further Information
Prunus lusitanica is a large evergreen shrub or small tree of spreading habit, the dark red shoots bearing deep green ovate leaves. Small, fragrant white flowers in racemes to 25cm in length in early summer, are followed by small, dark purple fruits