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portuguese laurel for sale

Looking for Portuguese laurel for sale in New Zealand? Prunus lusitanica, commonly known as Portuguese laurel, is an elegant evergreen shrub beloved for its glossy green leaves and compact growth. Perfect for hedging, privacy screens, or specimen planting, Portuguese laurel stands out for its resilience and beautiful year-round foliage. At our nursery, we offer healthy, NZ-grown Portuguese laurel plants that thrive in a variety of Kiwi garden conditions.

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. Prunus lusitanica is an excellent plant for a large garden. It is commonly used as a backdrop for smaller plants, planted for screening and shelter, used for topiary, or included in a “white” garden. Landscape designers favour Portuguese Laurels for their elegance and versatility.

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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Why Choose Portuguese Laurel?

Portuguese laurel is prized as a dense, versatile hedging plant that flourishes throughout New Zealand. Its dark green, leathery leaves and red stems create an attractive backdrop in gardens large or small. In late spring, clusters of fragrant white flowers appear, followed by subtle berries that attract birds. Portuguese laurel is highly adaptable—it grows well in sun or part shade, withstands coastal conditions, and tolerates pruning, making it ideal for formal hedges, borders, and privacy screens.

Growing and Caring for Prunus lusitanica

When you choose Portuguese laurel for sale from our nursery, you’re getting top-quality plants ready to adapt to your local soil and climate. Plant in well-draining soil and water regularly during establishment. Portuguese laurel is remarkably low-maintenance, but benefits from annual pruning to shape and promote dense growth. With its evergreen form and moderate growth rate, Prunus lusitanica offers a lush, year-round solution for garden screening and wind protection.

If you love flowering hedges, discover other stunning Prunus varieties like Prunus Accolade, Prunus Amanogawa, and Prunus Awanui—each with its own unique features for ornamental planting.

Ideal Uses for Portuguese Laurel in NZ Gardens

Portuguese laurel is a favourite for stylish, formal hedges. It’s equally at home as a standalone specimen shrub or an anchor plant in mixed borders. Thanks to its tolerance for trimming, Prunus lusitanica is perfect for shaping into topiary or creating neat, tidy boundaries. Its lush foliage pairs beautifully with colourful shrubs like Fuchsia 'Lambada', Corokia 'Blackberry and Lime', and Leptospermum 'Wiri Joan' for a layered garden effect.

Plant Companions and Creative Garden Ideas

Maximise your garden’s appeal by planting Portuguese laurel alongside vibrant azaleas such as Azalea 'Nicholas De Rothschild' or texture-rich natives like Grevillea thelemanniana (Spider Net Grevillea). For a truly eye-catching hedge, combine Portuguese laurel with flowering cherry trees like Prunus Falling Snow or the unique Prunus Felix Jury.

Order Portuguese Laurel for Sale Today

We offer healthy Portuguese laurel for sale that’s ready to thrive in your garden. Whether you’re planning a formal boundary, privacy screen, or a beautiful feature for your outdoor space, Prunus lusitanica delivers reliable performance and timeless beauty. Browse our selection and find the perfect Portuguese laurel plants to grow your dream garden in New Zealand.

For other tree and shrub options, check out our range of Prunus Accolade, Prunus Amanogawa, Fuchsia 'Lambada', and more.


Contact us

Whether you need assistance finding the plant you’re looking for or you simply want to know more about who we are and what we do, we invite you to get in touch with us today. A member of The Plant Company team will get back in touch as soon as possible.

–The Plant Company

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