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portuguese cherry laurel

Portuguese cherry laurel (Prunus lusitanica) is one of the most versatile and attractive evergreen shrubs or small trees you can include in your New Zealand garden. Renowned for its glossy, deep green leaves and dense growth, Portuguese cherry laurel is highly valued for hedging, screening, or as a standalone feature. It is especially popular with gardeners seeking a robust, low-maintenance alternative to Griselinia or English laurel. Clusters of scented, creamy white flowers appear in late spring or early summer, followed by small red berries that mature to purple-black, attracting birds and adding seasonal interest. With its adaptability to trimming and resilience to common pests, Portuguese cherry laurel thrives in a range of environments – from coastal gardens exposed to wind, right through to sheltered city courtyards.

Prunus lusitanica

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Prunus lusitanica, commonly known as the Portuguese Laurel, is a large shrub that is widely grown across the world. It features dark red stems that bear lush, dense, and dark green leaves. The white flowers are small and fragrant, followed by small, dark purple berries. It typically grows to 5 m tall and 4 m wide and can be trimmed as necessary.

Portuguese Laurel (Prunus lusitanica) standard trees bordering a driveway.
  • Suited to regions:
    Subtropical, Temperate
  • Plant type:
    Shrubs
  • Height:
    5.00 m
  • Spread:
    4.00 m
  • Flowering time:
    Summer
  • Garden uses:
    Hedging, Pool areas, Screening, Topiary
  • Garden styles:
    Backyard, City & Courtyard, Cottage, Formal, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern, White
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Prunus lusitanica

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Why Choose Portuguese Cherry Laurel?

If you’re looking for a classic hedging solution, Portuguese cherry laurel is hard to beat. It forms a lush, dense privacy screen within just a few years and responds well to regular pruning. This makes it ideal for formal hedges, windbreaks, or to frame pathways and entrances. Unlike some fast-growing hedges, Portuguese cherry laurel is much less likely to become unruly or invasive, offering year-round structure with minimal fuss. Its foliage is smaller and more refined than the common cherry laurel, giving a neater, more elegant appearance. This reliable evergreen is hardy, tolerates full sun or partial shade, and copes with a variety of soil types – whether you have clay, loam, or even slightly alkaline soils.

How to Plant and Care for Portuguese Cherry Laurel

Plant Prunus lusitanica in well-drained soil with added compost for best establishment. Space plants about 1-1.2 metres apart for hedging, or closer if you want a rapid dense effect. Portuguese cherry laurel is relatively drought-tolerant once established, but mulching and regular watering in the first year will ensure vigorous growth. A slow-release fertiliser each spring is beneficial, and trimming once or twice a year will keep your hedge dense and tidy. This laurel is generally pest- and disease-resistant, but as with any garden plant, keep an eye out for scale or aphids and treat promptly if needed.

Complementary Plants and Design Ideas

Portuguese cherry laurel pairs beautifully with a range of flowering trees and shrubs. For a spring display that brings pollinators and visual interest, consider combining it with Prunus Accolade, Prunus Amanogawa, or the delicate Prunus Falling Snow. For an evergreen backdrop with a burst of winter colour, try planting alongside Camellia Nuccio's Gem or Rhododendron Mrs Betty Robertson. You could also soften formal hedges with companion shrubs like Buddleia 'Royal Red' for summer blooms, or use Portuguese cherry laurel to provide year-round structure alongside the fine foliage of Leptospermum 'Centaurus'.

Is Portuguese Cherry Laurel Right for Your Garden?

Whether you’re in need of a beautiful, reliable hedge, or simply want a low-maintenance screen plant, Portuguese cherry laurel ticks all the boxes for New Zealand landscapes. Its stylish look and robust growth habit have made it a favourite for garden designers and home gardeners alike. If you’re also interested in other versatile or flowering hedging options, explore Acmena Allyn Magic (Dwarf Lilly Pilly) or elegant flowering cherries like Prunus Awanui and Prunus Felix Jury. With Portuguese cherry laurel, you’ll enjoy a garden that’s both easy-care and eternally elegant.


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While Schefflera arboricola and Gardenia radicans often steal the spotlight, charming plants like Salvia 'African Sky', Leptospermum 'Coral Candy', and Malus 'Jack Humm' quietly shine in any garden.
–The Plant Company

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