Straightforward advice for planting and growing easy-care, evergreen cherry laurel as a tree or shrub.
Cherry laurel(Prunus laurocerasus)welcomes spring with boldly fragrant blossoms.
The 4- to 6-inch-long flower spikes are popular with pollinators.
Credit:Robert Cardillo
After the flowers fade, cherry laurel produces purple-black fruit that is a food source for songbirds.
It also can be grown as a small tree.
The leaves, seeds, fruits, and stems of cherry laurel are toxic to humans and pets.
Credit:Denny Schrock
Cherry laurel prefers loose, well-drained, fertile soil but tolerates poor, sandy, and clay soil.
Dont plant it in mucky, wet soil.
It is deer-resistant and drought-tolerant and tolerates salt spray.
Credit: Bob Stefko
How and When to Plant Cherry Laurel
Plant cherry laurel in early spring or fall.
Dig a planting hole slightly larger than theshrub or trees root ball.
Backfill the planting hole with the native soil and water the plant deeply.
Credit: Bill Stites
Cover the root zone with a2-inch-thick layer of mulchto reduce soil moisture loss.
Water the newly planted cherry laurel as needed to receive about 1 inch of water per week.
Water as needed during periods of drought.
Credit: Denny Schrock
In hot regions, such as the Deep South, it benefits from some afternoon shade.
It also grows in deep shade and thrives, but it grows slowly there.
After it develops a robust root system, cherry laurel is drought-tolerant.
Credit: Stephen Cridland
It also tolerates salty conditions.
Do not plant cherry laurel in a wet, soggy site.
Water cherry laurel regularly for the first two months after planting.
After that, water as needed during extended dry periods.
Temperature and Humidity
Heat and humidity are no problem for cherry laurel.
Fertilizer
Fertilizer is not required.
Pruning
Prune cherry laurel in spring after the flowers fade.
Potting and Repotting
Cherry laurel can grow in a container that offers good drainage.
Water cherry laurel growing in a container with care.
The plant is a fast grower, so it may outgrow its container.
Pests and Problems
Cherry laurel is troubled by few pests.
Pests and diseases are typically problematic only on trees that grow in stressful environments.
Useneem oilto treat these unwanted pests.
How to Propagate Cherry Laurel
Propagate cherry laurel withstem cuttings.
Cut 6-8 inches from the tips of healthy stems.
Remove any leaves from the lower half of the cuttings and cut half off any remaining leaves.
Water the soil, but dont make it soggy.
Monitor it and water only when needed to maintain moist soil.
It takes only a few weeks for the cuttings to grow roots.
Types of Cherry Laurel
There are several cherry laurel cultivars.
Each cultivar differs by size and sometimes growth habit.
Its fragrant, white flowers appear in spring.
With its narrow base, its perfect for perennial borders or adding to a mixed shrub planting.
It grows 10 to 15 feet tall and 5 to 7 feet wide.
It tolerates alkaline soil.
Zones 59
Volcano
Volcano cherry laurel (Prunus laurocerasusJong1) has a rounded, compact form.
Its new leaves emerge with dark red tones and mature to bright green in summer.
It grows 4 to 6 feet tall and 4 to 5 feet wide.
This compact cherry laurel is perfect for filling in empty spaces in the landscape.
It grows 4 to 5 feet tall and 3 to 4 feet wide.
The most common flower colors are purples and pinks, but there are also white and cream varieties.
Most rhododendrons prefer a shady location, but a few new varieties are available for sunny areas.
It grows 10 feet tall and wide.
Zones 3-8
Gardenia
Gardeniasare known for their intoxicating sweet fragrance produced by waxy white blossoms.
These beautiful evergreen plants boast shiny, emerald-green foliage.
The plants grow from 3 to 10 feet tall.
Potentilla
Potentillahas crisp, neat foliage and charming flowers that resemble anemones.
It grows to only 3 feet tall and slightly wider.
When the leaves drop in fall, a reddish peeling bark is revealed.
Zones 27
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, birds are attracted to the blue-black fruit when it ripens.
Expect flocks of songbirds to gobble up the fruit quickly.
However, cherry laurel fruit is toxic to humans and pets and should not be eaten by them.
Prune an overgrown cherry laurel tree over time.
Water the shrub or tree well after pruning to support healthy growth.
Cherry laurel is a fast-growing tree or shrub.
Expect it to put on as much as 25 inches of new growth a year.
However, it is easy to keep in bounds with regular pruning.
