The cherry laurel Prunus laurocerasus ‘Rotundifolia’ is an attractive evergreen shrub valued for its lush glossy foliage and sweet spring blooms. With its naturally rounded spreading form, this plant makes a beautiful backdrop for borders or foundation plantings. When regularly trimmed, it also shines as a dense privacy hedge.
Read on to learn more about growing and caring for this versatile shrub
Overview of Cherry Laurel ‘Rotundifolia’
Cherry laurel ‘Rotundifolia’ is a compact cultivar of the species Prunus laurocerasus, also known simply as cherry laurel It is an evergreen shrub that typically reaches 4-8 feet tall and wide at maturity
This plant is prized for its:
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Glossy, dark green leaves that are oval to rounded in shape. The foliage is thicker and wider than the species.
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Naturally rounded, spreading form that can be maintained through pruning.
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Clusters of small, fragrant white flowers in spring.
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Tolerance for various soil types, shade, heat, and drought.
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Versatility to be used as a specimen, hedge, screen, or foundation planting.
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Attractiveness to pollinators like bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.
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Deer resistance.
Some key tips for growing cherry laurel ‘Rotundifolia’ successfully include providing well-drained soil, full sun to partial shade, and regular pruning if a tidy shape is desired. Let’s take a closer look at how to care for this beautiful shrub.
Growing Conditions
To help your cherry laurel ‘Rotundifolia’ thrive, choose an appropriate location and provide the right growing conditions.
Sun Exposure
Cherry laurel does best with full sun but will tolerate partial shade. At least 6 hours of direct sun per day is ideal. With more sunlight, the plant will produce thicker foliage and more flowers. In warmer climates, some afternoon shade is beneficial.
Soil Needs
This shrub is adaptable to various soil types including clay, loam, sand, chalky and acidic soils. The ideal pH range is 6.0-7.5. Ensure the soil drains well to prevent waterlogging.
Watering
Cherry laurel tolerates drought but grows fastest with consistent moisture. Water young plants regularly until established. Mature shrubs only need supplemental water during very dry periods. The soil should not be allowed to dry out completely.
Temperature
These plants thrive in USDA growing zones 4-9. They can withstand cold winters and hot summers as long as their basic needs are met. Some browning of leaves may occur in freezing temperatures. Shelter from harsh wind helps prevent winter burn.
Planting Cherry Laurel
Early spring is the best time to plant cherry laurel shrubs. You can also plant in fall. Here are some tips for planting success:
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Dig a hole 2-3 times wider than the root ball. Avoid deep planting. The top of the root ball should be level with the ground.
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Set the shrub in the hole and backfill with native soil. Water deeply after planting.
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Space multiple shrubs 4-6 feet apart for adequate air circulation and light penetration.
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Apply 2-4 inches of mulch around new plantings to retain moisture and suppress weeds. Avoid mounding mulch against the stem.
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Water regularly for the first season until plants are established.
Growing and Caring for Cherry Laurel
With its tolerance for heat, shade, and drought, cherry laurel is one of the easier shrubs to care for once established. Follow these tips for healthy growth:
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Water during dry spells until plants are mature. Avoid overwatering.
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Apply a balanced fertilizer for shrubs in early spring.
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Prune as needed to shape plants or maintain size. See pruning section for details.
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Monitor for common pests and diseases like aphids, scale, powdery mildew, and verticillium wilt. Treat problems promptly.
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Remove spent flowers in late spring to encourage bushier growth. Deadhead selectively rather than shearing the entire plant.
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Remove any dead or damaged growth as needed to keep plants looking their best.
With basic care, cherry laurel will grow vigorously for decades, filling its space in the garden beautifully.
Pruning Cherry Laurel Shrubs
To maintain their natural rounded form, cherry laurel shrubs require minimal pruning. However, regular trimming is needed to keep them compact and promote dense growth.
Follow these tips for pruning cherry laurel successfully:
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Prune in early spring after bloom or in summer. Avoid pruning in fall.
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Use sharp bypass hand pruners for smaller stems. Larger branches may need loppers or a pruning saw.
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Remove inward facing branches and any dead, diseased, or crossing stems to open up the center.
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Shorten long shoots by 1/3 to 1/2 their length to encourage bushiness.
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For formal hedges, trim sides and top. Shear loosely rounded specimens lightly to shape.
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Never shear these shrubs too drastically. Stick to moderate, gradual pruning that maintains the natural form.
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Avoid cutting old wood, as cherry laurel plants poorly from cut branches without foliage.
With the right pruning approach, you can keep your cherry laurel plants healthy, vigorous, and neat.
Propagating Cherry Laurel Shrubs
Cherry laurel shrubs are easy to propagate from semi-ripe stem cuttings in summer:
What You’ll Need:
- Healthy parent plant
- Sharp, clean pruners or garden knife
- Rooting hormone (optional)
- Small pots, potting mix, clear plastic bags
How to Propagate:
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Select a healthy stem that is new growth, around 4-6 inches long.
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Use clean pruners to snip off the stem just below a leaf node.
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Strip off the bottom leaves, keeping a few leaves at the top.
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Dip the cut end in rooting hormone (if using).
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Plant the cutting 2-3 inches deep in a pot filled with potting mix.
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Cover the pot with a clear plastic bag to hold in humidity.
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Keep the soil consistently moist but not saturated.
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New roots should emerge in 4-8 weeks. Gradually harden off before transplanting.
This simple method allows you to multiply your cherry laurel shrubs for free!
Overwintering Cherry Laurel
Cherry laurel is cold hardy, but some protection may be needed in frigid climates to prevent winter damage. Here are a few overwintering tips:
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Avoid pruning in fall to limit cold vulnerability.
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Water well in late fall so plants enter winter fully hydrated.
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Mulch around the base to insulate roots from temperature swings.
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Wrap shrubs loosely with burlap if temperatures drop below -10°F.
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Shield from harsh winds, which aggravate leaf burn and desiccation.
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Apply an antidesiccant spray to foliage to reduce moisture loss.
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Delay major pruning until new growth emerges in spring. Remove only dead branches over winter.
With a little cold protection, your cherry laurel will come through winter healthy and ready to grow again.
Common Pests and Problems
Cherry laurel is resistant to most pests and diseases. However, potential issues to watch for include:
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Aphids – Small sucking insects that feed on sap. They cause curled, stunted leaves. Control with horticultural oil or insecticidal soap sprays.
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Scales – Small immobile insects that attach to stems and leaves. They produce sticky honeydew. Use insecticidal soap or neem oil to manage infestations.
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Powdery mildew – A fungal disease that coats leaves with white powdery growth. Improve air flow and use neem oil to prevent and treat it.
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Verticillium wilt – A fungal infection that causes wilting, yellowing leaves, and dieback. Improve drainage and remove affected plants to control spread.
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Leaf scorch – Dry, brown leaf margins caused by too little water, excessive wind or sun, or compacted roots. Correct cultural practices to prevent and treat it.
By properly siting and caring for cherry laurel shrubs, you can avoid most problems and keep plants looking their best.
Enjoying Cherry Laurel in the Garden
With its rounded form, glossy foliage, and pretty blooms, cherry laurel ‘Rotundifolia’ is a wonderful addition to gardens in zones 4-9. Once established, it requires minimal care while providing year-round interest. Use it as a specimen plant, dense privacy hedge, or foundation planting. Pair it with bulbs and flowering shrubs for seasonal color. Both you and pollinators will appreciate this beautiful, versatile evergreen in your landscape.
The Origins of Cherry Laurel (Prunus laurocerasus)
The Prunus laurocerasus tree is native to parts of southeast Europe and southwest Asia. It can be found near the Black Sea in places like Iran, Turkey, Albania, and Bulgaria.
In 1576, Clusius brought Prunus laurocerasus to the UK from Constantinople. He got it from David Ungnad, who was the ambassador to the Emperor of Constantinople. Prunus laurocerasus is now naturalised in the UK. It is also now common in the northwest of the United States and Canada, in places like California, Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia.
The Botany of Cherry Laurel (Prunus laurocerasus)
Family: Rosaceae Genus: Prunus Species: laurocerasus Varieties: Rotundifolia, Caucasica, Novita, Etna, Marbled White, Otto Luyken, Zabeliana, etc
Common names: Cherry Laurel, Common Laurel, English Laurel
Cherry Laurel comes from the genus Prunus, which is a big group of plants with more than 400 species, some of which are edible (e.g., cherries). g. Among these are the native wild cherry tree (Prunus avium), peaches and nectarines (Prunus persica), almond trees (Prunus dulcis), plum and gage trees (Prunus x domestica), apricots (Prunus armeniaca), and flower cherries like The Great White Cherry (Prunus ‘Tai Haku’) and the double-pink ornamental cherry, Prunus serrulata ‘Kanzan. The native hedge plants Blackthorn (Prunus spinosa) and Cherry Plum (Prunus cerasifera), which lose their leaves in the fall, are also in this genus.
An evergreen shrub with large, alternate, thick, glossy, green leaves between 7 and 20cm long depending on variety. Many different varieties are available (see section on Type of Laurel Hedging.
In April, Cherry Laurels have lots of small (8 mm) cup-shaped, fragrant, white flowers on straight, sideways, and end racemes.
The flowers are followed by berries that are red at first but turn black. There are cyanogenic glucosides in the berries, which give them a bitter almond taste and make you sick if you eat them. Even though Cherry Laurel is widely grown in the UK, eating its berries has not been linked to any serious harm. In general, most of the flower buds are trimmed off during regular hedge cutting. Additionally, as the berries have a bitter taste, people tend not to eat them. This plant is in Category C on the Horticultural Trade Association’s list of potentially harmful plants. Category A plants are the most harmful, and Category C plants are the least harmful. Other plants in category C include Ivy, Hellebores, Lobelia and Lupins.
Cherry Laurel is propagated commercially from cuttings usually using one of the three following methods:
- Basal cuttings in a cold frame in September
- Semi-hard cuttings in a low tunnel in July/August
- Basal cuttings on a mist bench in March
Cherry Laurel can also be grown from seed.
A focus on Cherry Laurel hedging: All you need to know about Prunus laurocerasus Rotundifolia
FAQ
What is the downside of a laurel hedge?
Is cherry laurel poisonous to touch?
Does cherry laurel make a good hedge?
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Does Prunus laurocerasus affect reviews or placement of products?
This does not affect our reviews or placement of products on the site. Prunus Laurocerasus, usually named Cherry Laurel, Common Laurel, or English Laurel in North America, is a species of evergreen shrubs in the Prunus genus. Cherry Laurel plants are originated in regions that border the Black Sea in southeastern Europe and southwestern Asia.
Where does Prunus laurocerasus grow?
Prunus laurocerasus, also known as cherry laurel, common laurel and sometimes English laurel in North America, is an evergreen species of cherry ( Prunus ), native to regions bordering the Black Sea in southwestern Asia and southeastern Europe, from Albania and Bulgaria east through Turkey to the Caucasus Mountains and northern Iran. [ 2][ 3]
Is Prunus laurocerasus the same as cherry laurel?
Prunus Laurocerasus plants are often mistaken for Prunus Caroliniana, their American relative species, which are also known as Cherry Laurel. Cherry Laurel can be found in places with a lot of shrubbery and woods. They grow in many regions, from Bulgaria and Albania to northern Iran and the Caucasus Mountains.
What is Prunus laurocerasus rotundifolia?
Prunus laurocerasus ‘Rotundifolia’ – a common, fast-growing variety with dark-green, glossy leaves. It can grow up to 60cm per year and can be maintained as a hedge of 1-5m in height.