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Cherry laurel

Cherry laurel

Prunus laurocerasus

Garden Sun Partial shade Shade ShrubEasy

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Profile

Plant group
Evergreen broadleaved woody plant
Growth & habit
A densely branched, usually upright to spreading shrub. Tall hedging cultivars differ greatly from low-growing forms.
Foliage
Glossy, leathery, alternate leaves. Individual leaves continue to be replaced despite the evergreen habit.
Family
Rose family (Rosaceae)
Origin
SE Europe to W Asia
Height
1.5–4 m (hedge)
Bloom
April–May, white
Toxicity
Toxic (leaves & seeds)

Care calendar

Leaf emergence

  1. Jan
  2. Feb
  3. Mar
  4. Apr
  5. May
  6. Jun
  7. Jul
  8. Aug
  9. Sep
  10. Oct
  11. Nov
  12. Dec

Strong spring growth, sometimes followed by another flush in favourable conditions.

Flowering / flower development

  1. Jan
  2. Feb
  3. Mar
  4. Apr
  5. May
  6. Jun
  7. Jul
  8. Aug
  9. Sep
  10. Oct
  11. Nov
  12. Dec

Spring flower racemes; regular hedge clipping can reduce flowering.

Leaf fall

Evergreen, without general autumn leaf fall. Older leaves may yellow and drop as fresh growth develops.

Pruning & growth habit

  1. Jan
  2. Feb
  3. Mar
  4. Apr
  5. May
  6. Jun
  7. Jul
  8. Aug
  9. Sep
  10. Oct
  11. Nov
  12. Dec

Light shaping after flowering, provided occupied nests are not disturbed. Plan major renovation separately.

Guidance for Germany and Central Europe. Position, weather, species and cultivar shift these windows; indoor and container plants also depend on their winter conditions.

Your seasonal care plan

  • Check root-ball moisture

    Jan · Feb · Mar · Apr · May · Jun · Jul · Aug · Sep · Oct · Nov · Dec

    Check newly planted hedges and containers regularly at root level. Water thoroughly when needed rather than wetting only the surface every day. Let excess water drain from containers. Water may also be needed on frost-free winter days.

  • Supply nutrients during active growth

    Apr · May · Jun · Jul · Aug · Sep

    Match feeding to actual needs and nutrients already present. The linked concentrate gives April/May to September as its regular application period. Fresh planting compost is already fertilised; address drought stress or root damage before feeding.

    View product dosage and application →

  • Plan planting and root space

    Mar · Apr · May · Sep · Oct

    Plan planting for frost-free periods in spring or early autumn. Increase container size moderately when roots need space, retain the previous planting depth and provide clear drainage holes. For hedges, also consider the soil, spacing and the cultivar's eventual width.

    View product dosage and application →

  • Watch winter sun and root-ball moisture

    Oct · Nov · Dec · Jan · Feb · Mar

    Evergreen leaves continue to lose water in winter. Protect containers from severe root freezing and drying wind without blocking drainage. Brown leaves after frost are not a reason for extra winter feeding.

Highlighted months are guidance, not fixed dates. Observe the plant, root ball and weather; water, feed and repot according to actual need.

Seasonal care intensity

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

Seasonal guidance for Germany. Needs depend on location, weather and species. Check moisture in winter too; these markers are not a feeding schedule.

Peak care Active Reduced care

Care tips

  • A pruning-tolerant evergreen shrub; monitor soil moisture, especially after planting.
  • Yellow leaves can result from normal leaf turnover, watering problems, root damage or nutrient deficiency. Check the cause before feeding.
  • Feed only as needed and according to the product label. Water when needed during dry, frost-free winter spells.

Fruit & harvest

Fruit and seed formation

Small dark purple to black stone fruits may follow the white flower clusters. They are not substitutes for edible cherries; the seeds are particularly hazardous.

Harvest and use

Do not harvest for food or confuse these fruits with culinary cherries. Pruning before ripening reduces fruit production but is not necessary for routine care.

Plant knowledge at a glance

Position, benefits & character

Position & soil

Sun to shade; moist but well-drained soil helps establishment. Avoid compacted wet ground and monitor young plants for winter drought.

Distinctive features

Upright white flower racemes in spring, followed by dark fruit that is not garden food. Leaves and seeds are poisonous.

Benefits

Year-round screening and a calm green backdrop. Untrimmed flowers feed insects; birds use fruit and shelter.

Partners & symbioses

Birds can disperse the seeds in the fruit. Added mycorrhiza is not a basic requirement; remove seedlings outside the intended planting area.

Pruning & growth habit

A densely branched, usually upright to spreading shrub. Tall hedging cultivars differ greatly from low-growing forms.

  1. 1. Inspect hedge and nests

    Check the whole plant for occupied nests and dead branches. Set the intended size according to the cultivar.

  2. 2. Keep leaves intact

    Shorten individual branches with sharp secateurs. Cutting through large leaves leaves brown edges.

  3. 3. Allow light to the base

    Keep a hedge slightly wider at the base than at the top. On a free-standing shrub, correct only unwanted shoots.

Nursery forms

This overview explains nursery supply forms. It does not indicate current availability in the GREEN24 shop.

Bare-root

Ask a specialist nursery

Only for small nursery stock grown and sold for bare-root planting; never let roots dry.

Root-balled

Common form

A common form for larger hedge plants; protect the rootball in transit.

Container-grown

Common form

Rooted container stock offers flexible planting when weather permits.

Young plant

Common form

Small cutting-raised plants for growing on; space according to eventual cultivar size.

Shrub

Common form

The typical multi-stemmed hedge or specimen form.

Feathered tree

Ask a specialist nursery

A main stem branched from low down; select it specifically at the nursery.

Half-standard

Ask a specialist nursery

A crown above a short stem, for example as a small trained specimen.

Standard

Ask a specialist nursery

A taller standard for specimen use; consider cultivar and crown width.

Topiary

Common form

Clipped hedge, ball or another form; maintenance depends on growth rate.

Propagation & grafting

Propagation

Named cultivars are usually raised from semi-ripe or hardwood cuttings. Seedlings vary and do not reliably retain the cultivar.

Grafting

Normal hedge plants grow on their own roots. Standards may be trained or grafted; check the supplied plant and any graft union.

Species & cultivars

Rotundifolia

Vigorous and broadly upright; needs more room than low-growing cultivars.

Otto Luyken

A lower, spreading shrub with narrower, upward-pointing leaves.

Schipkaensis

Dense and upright, contrasting with low, spreading cultivars.

Pests & diseases

These signs support an initial assessment. Different causes may look alike; choose a treatment only after identifying the problem.

Holes and leaf spots

Shot-hole symptoms can have several causes. Compare affected leaves and fresh growth; not every hole is insect feeding.

Notched leaf margins

Rounded notches may indicate vine weevil. Check the root zone too, especially in containers.

Yellow leaves

Distinguish normal leaf turnover from wetness, drought or root damage. Check soil and the pattern of symptoms before adding fertiliser.

Hardiness · USDA

Consider cultivar, winter sun and frost drought.

Prunus laurocerasus
USDA 6a–8b

USDA zones describe long-term average winter extremes. Containers, young plants, wet soil, wind and late frost need separate consideration.

Understand USDA zones and maps →

Matching GREEN24 products

Matching fertilisers and substrates for your plant care.