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.
These plants are widely cultivated as ornamental plants in temperate regions around the world. People plant Cherry Laurel shrubs in parks and gardens as landscape plants, screening plants, and hedgerows.
The common names of this species refer to the foliage and appearance similarity to Bay Laurel, which is the true laurel in the Lauraceae family. Although these plants are not closely related, both were used in making laurel wreaths.
About Cherry Laurels
- 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.
- Cherry Laurel plants are very tolerant of all types of light conditions, surviving even the extreme ones.
- Water your Cherry Laurel when the soil starts to dry out, as over-watering may affect its overall health. They can survive short periods of drought.
- They will benefit from a damp, well-drained, and nutrient-rich soil mix. Also, to improve their overall health, you can feed them an organic fertilizer once a year.
- They tend to grow rather chaotically, so they can be pruned to maintain the size and shape you prefer.
- They are toxic to humans and pets if the leaves or seeds are ingested. The cherry seeds contain amygdalin and cyanogenic glycosides, the poisonous chemical composition that gives them the almond-like smell.
Cherry Laurel Features: An Overview
- They have become quickly and widely naturalized. These species are considered invasive plants in regions like the Pacific Northwest of North America and the United Kingdom. They are easily spread by birds that drop their seeds anywhere they please.
- Due to their evergreen, high tolerance to extreme environmental conditions, and fast-growing habits, Cherry Laurel can compete with other native plants and eventually kill them.
- Cherry Laurel species are shrubs or trees of small to medium size. On average, they can grow between 16.4 and 49.2 feet (5-15 m) tall, but some of them can reach 59 feet (18 m). Their trunk measures up to 1.9 feet (60 cm) broad.
- If crushed, their leaves can smell like almonds, but they are rather toxic. They are dark green, leather-like, and shiny, having a slightly serrated margin. The common dimensions for the leaves are somewhere between 1.9 and 11.8 inches (5-30 cm) in height and 1.5 and 3.9 inches (4-10 cm) in width.
- Cherry Laurel shrubs produce flower buds in early spring that bloom in early summer. The 30 to 40 flowers are exhibited in erect racemes of 2.7 to 5.9 inches (7-15 cm) long. They have creamy-white petals and multiple yellow stamens with a sweet smell.
- They bear small cherries that have 0.3 to 0.7 inches (1-2 cm) in diameter. In early autumn, these fruits ripen and turn black.
- Prunus Laurocerasus wood contains a lot of water. Cutting Cherry laurel wood can be a difficult process because it tends to gum up the saw blades. Also, it splits and distorts while it dries out.
Growing Cherry Laurel
Cherry Laurel plants are pretty easy to grow for every type of gardener. They are tolerant of extreme light conditions, drought, aerosol salt, and even neglect.
These shrubs are able to survive in both sunny and shady spots. They benefit from bright, direct sunlight in cool areas and partial to full shade in warmer climates.
Although Cherry Laurel plants can thrive in almost any environmental condition, they do not get along with frost. Most species available are quite hardy in temperatures between 59 and 68 ° F (15-20 °C) and varieties like Zabeliana, Forest Green, and Otto Luyken can even cope with temperatures that drop below -4 °F (-20 °C).
They prefer a damp but well-drained soil that is rich in nutrients. The ideal types of soil for these plants would be sand, clay, loam, acidic, or slightly alkaline soil mix.
When it comes to fertilizing these shrubs, it is recommended that you do it by following all the labels and package instructions. They do not need too much fertilizer, as it can cause root burning or high overall damage. Make sure you feed your Cherry Laurel plant both evergreen and ornamental tree fertilizers only once a year in the spring. These fertilizers will provide all the nutrition needed, maintain the foliage lush and the flowers intensely fragrant. You can also use light fertilizers that contain sulfur and iron.
Generally, Cherry Laurels are healthy, resistant plants but they are susceptible to leaf spot and fungal diseases such as stem canker and fire blight. Some pests like caterpillars, mites, or borers may show up once in a while. You can treat your plant using a suitable organic pesticide such as neem oil.
Pruning a Cherry Laurel is one of the most entertaining activities you will experience with these shrubs. This will help your plant develop a stronger structure. When you simply get bored or your plant needs a fresh look, you can cut the leaves and shape the plant to make it look nicer. Put your imagination to work!
Watering Cherry Laurel
When growing cherry laurel, the frequency of watering is not very important, as long as the soil is kept damp but well-drained. When planted outdoors, these versatile plants usually get enough moisture from rainfalls, so you should not worry too much about watering them.
If you live in a region where rainfall is scarce or completely absent, you should water these shrubs as soon as the soil starts to look completely dry. Make sure their roots and the surrounding soil is damp and always check the soil in-between watering sessions.
When you first plant a Cherry Laurel, give the soil a deep soak, allowing the water to reach the plant’s root ball. If you want to make your shrub grow faster, you can stimulate it using a root stimulator. This solution will ensure a stronger root development and the growth of greener, healthier plants.
The secret with Cherry Laurel plants is to deep soak them less frequently rather than slightly water them every day. The best time for watering is early in the morning. During the colder seasons or once they are comfortable in the new environment, they can tolerate short periods of dryness.
Propagating Cherry Laurel
Do you want to add more greenery to your outdoor or indoor garden? Shrubs are a great option as they are very easy to grow and to propagate. The most efficient way to propagate cherry laurel plants is by taking stem cuttings or root cuttings. These methods can take some time, but if you are a passionate gardener, there should be no problem.
To propagate a cherry laurel shrub through stem cuttings, take a sharp knife and cut the last 5-6 inches (12-15 cm) of a branch. Remove the extra leaves from the bottom and keep the top three or four intact. Cut the bottom part of the main stem at an angle and wrap it in damp paper towels and a plastic bag. Prepare a mix of water and rooting hormone solution and dip the cutting into it.
Fill a container with potting soil, make a deep 6-inch (15 cm) hole, and pour a little sand in it. Plant the cutting into the soil and water it until it becomes damp. Move the container into a sheltered spot with full sunlight and wait about six weeks for the roots to appear. Usually, the plant needs a year or so to grow strong enough for your outdoor garden.
The best time to propagate your Cherry Laurel by taking root cuttings is in winter. Using a sharp knife, cut a 6-8 inches (15-20 cm) root section of the closest end to the shrub. After that, cut the opposite one at an angle. Damp the cutting and cover the lower end with sulfur.
Fill a potting vessel with soil, make a hole in it, and pour sand in the first bottom layer. Plant the cutting into the potting mix, then fill the remaining spots with extra soil. Place the shrub in a sheltered but sunny area until the spring season. Regular watering is required to keep the soil damp. Once the shrub starts to grow, you may proceed as with the stem cuttings.
In Conclusion
Once these shrubs are established in their new environment, they become low-maintenance ornamental houseplants that complement any room. They are very easy-going, so you should definitely consider including them in your indoor or outdoor garden.
If you plant cherry laurel shrubs in a nice spot in your garden where they get proper light conditions and temperature, they’ll grow quickly and you’ll soon be able to trim them and shape them as you wish. All you have to do is water them occasionally to keep their soil moist, prune them regularly, and protect them from possible infestations. If you are patient enough, you can even build your own labyrinth of shrubs by simply propagating these beauties.
2 Comments
Buna ziua,
As dori sa ma lamuriti daca as putea tunde dafinii pentru butasire acum, iarna. In general am vazut ca se recomanda taierea lastarilor primavara sau toamna, oricum nu iarna cand planta e in repaos. Dvs insa spuneti ca este chiar de preferat iarna.
puteti sa-mi confirmati, va rog?
M-as bucura mult sa-mi comfirmati intrucat sunt foarte nerabdator sa incerc butasirea pentru a-mi completa gardul viu 🙂
Multumesc mult,
Zi buna,
Hello,
I would like you to clarify if I could mow the laurels for pruning now, in winter. In general, I saw that it is recommended to cut the shoots in spring or autumn, however not in winter when the plant is at rest. But you say that it is really preferable in winter.
Can you confirm me, please?
I would be very happy for you to confirm me because I am very eager to try the pruning to complete my hedge 🙂
Thank you,
Dan Duna
Hello Dan!
Thank you for your very interesting question. Winter is, indeed, a great time to propagate hardwood cuttings taken from deciduous trees and shrubs. If you want to try your hand at propagating your Cherry Laurel during the winter, make sure you protect your cuttings from the elements, the wind, and excessive moisture. Whatever protection materials you are using make sure the cuttings get plenty of light and ventilation.
It is not uncommon for people to skip the protection step and just set the cuttings in a bed of soil outside. This can also work but, if you live in an area that gets harsh winters, you run the risk of having your cuttings damaged by cold winds and frost. As you probably already know, a lot of gardeners wrap their freshly planted cuttings in plastic wrap but this is not recommended as it can lead to other issues such as fungal diseases.
I think the main advantage of propagating plants in winter is the fact that you’ll get to see them grow sooner and enjoy their foliage over the summer months. However, you should expect the propagation process to take a bit longer than it would during the summer. Your plants will benefit from a slow start and reward you when the weather improves. It will be great to have new plants by spring all you have to do is to give your plants two-four months to develop healthy roots.
For further reference, I recommend this article published by the University of Illinois: https://aces.illinois.edu/news/winter-considerations-propagating-plants
Hope you’ll find my answer helpful and let me know how things work out 😀
Have a great day,
Miruna