Portuguese Laurel: Prunus Lusitanica
Portuguese Laurel: Prunus Lusitanica
Premium Portuguese Laurel Hedging Plants
Create an elegant, formal hedge with our superior Portuguese Laurel (Prunus lusitanica). This large, robust evergreen shrub offers a more refined appearance than its cousin, the Cherry Laurel, making it the perfect choice for creating sophisticated garden boundaries and privacy screens.
Why Choose Portuguese Laurel?
- Stunning Foliage: Dark red shoots mature into glossy, dark oval green leaves creating year-round visual interest
- Beautiful Flowers & Fruits: Delicate white flowers in early summer followed by attractive dark purple fruits in autumn
- Formal Elegance: More refined and structured appearance than common Cherry Laurel
- Low Maintenance: Hardy, disease-resistant, and requires minimal care once established
- Impressive Size: Creates substantial hedges and screens for maximum privacy
- Versatile: Excellent for hedging, topiary, or as a specimen plant
Plant Specifications
- Ultimate Height: 12m+ (can be maintained at any desired height)
- Ultimate Spread: 8m+
- Planting Density: 3 plants per metre for a dense, formal hedge
- Growth Rate: Moderate to fast
- Hardiness: Fully hardy (RHS H5)
- Aspect: Full sun to partial shade
Growing & Care Guide
Portuguese Laurel thrives in most well-drained soils and tolerates both full sun and partial shade. Plant 33cm apart (3 per metre) for hedging. Dig a hole twice the width of the root ball and mix in organic matter. Water regularly during the first growing season. Trim once or twice a year — late spring and late summer — to maintain shape. Can be clipped into formal shapes or left for a more natural appearance. Apply a general-purpose fertiliser in spring.
Portuguese Laurel is an RHS Award of Garden Merit winner, recognised for its outstanding garden performance and reliability.
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Planting Instructions
Plant at 3 plants per metre for a dense, formal hedge. Portuguese Laurel thrives in most well-drained soils and tolerates both full sun and partial shade. Avoid waterlogged conditions.
Dig a hole twice the width of the root ball and incorporate organic matter. Backfill, firm in well, and water thoroughly. Mulch around the base to retain moisture and suppress weeds. Water regularly during the first growing season. Trim once or twice a year — late spring and late summer — to maintain shape. Apply a balanced fertiliser in spring.
Size & Specification
Available in 3L pot (50–60cm), 5L pot (80–100cm), 10L pot, 20L pot (180–200cm), and 30L pot. Ultimate height 12m+ (easily maintained at any desired height). Ultimate spread 8m+. Planting density 3 plants per metre. Moderate to fast growth rate. Fully hardy (RHS H5). Fully evergreen.
Delivery & Dispatch
Dispatched within 3–5 working days. Smaller sizes (3L–10L) are sent via overnight courier in protective packaging. Larger specimens (20L+) are dispatched on a pallet via specialist courier. You will receive a dispatch notification with tracking details. Please ensure someone is available to receive the delivery.
Wildlife & Ecological Notes
Portuguese Laurel is excellent for wildlife. Delicate white flower spikes in early summer are highly attractive to bees, hoverflies, and other pollinators. Dark purple berries in autumn provide a valuable food source for blackbirds, thrushes, and other berry-feeding birds. The dense evergreen canopy provides year-round shelter and nesting cover for garden birds. A better choice than Cherry Laurel for gardens near woodland or natural habitats.