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Prunus laurocerasus

Common Cherrylaurel, English Laurel

Pronunciation
PRUN-us lar-o-ser-A-sus
Pronunciation Audio
Family
Genus
Nativity

Southeastern Europe, Asia Minor

Growth Habit

Wide-spreading dense shrub, sometimes a small tree.

Hardiness
6
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

Prunus laurocerasus is an evergreen, wide spreading shrub of dense constitution. The species grows 10-18 feet high and under ideal conditions may grow 25-30 feet wide, but this isn't typical under cultivation. Leaves are alternate, simple, 2 to 6 inches long, oblong or obovate-oblong, with serrate margins, and lustrous medium to dark green. Flowers are white, and strongly fragrant, emerging in April through May. Fruits are black or purple drupes, .33 .5 inches long, emerging in the summer when they are barely seen through the foliage. Prunus laurocerasus makes a handsome hedge or specimen shrub.

Foliage

Alternate, oblong, slightly serrate, 2 to 6 inches long, leathery, lustrous dark green above, pale green beneath. 2-4 glands present below (along midvein) or above (near base of leaf).

Buds

Buds are sessile, round to ovoid shape, generally has six scales.

Bark

Green; cherry-like aroma when bruised.

Flower

White, strongly fragrant. Large, upright clusters of .24 to .33 inch white blossoms on 2 to 5 inch racemes.

Fruit

Small, purple-black drupe; concial-round; ripens in summer.

Propagation

Cuttings taken in late summer. No treatment is necessary, but proper medium (sand:peat) and mist is helpful. If you wish to use rooting hormone try 3000 or 5000 ppm IBA.

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 feet tall.

'Schipkaensis' - Dark green leaves, hardy to Zone 5, 4-5 feet tall.

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