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portuguese laurel hedge plants

Portuguese laurel hedge plants (Prunus lusitanica) are the perfect solution for gardeners seeking an elegant, evergreen screen in New Zealand gardens. Known for their glossy, rich green foliage and dense growth habit, Portuguese laurel hedge plants bring year-round structure and privacy to outdoor spaces. They offer exceptional adaptability and resilience, thriving in a range of conditions from coastal locations to urban gardens. Whether you’re looking to create a formal hedge or a lush, living boundary, Prunus lusitanica is prized for its rapid, upright growth and minimal maintenance requirements.

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 Laurel Hedge Plants?

Portuguese laurel hedge plants are celebrated for their robust nature and attractive appearance. Their compact, bushy habit makes them ideal for hedges, shelterbelts, and windbreaks. The leaves are strikingly deep green with a slightly wavy edge, providing the classic privacy screen appearance. During summer months, Prunus lusitanica produces subtle clusters of fragrant white flowers, followed by small red berries that attract native birds, adding extra interest to your garden.

Compared to other hedge options, Portuguese laurel offers superior tolerance to shade, drought, and salinity, making it especially suitable for New Zealand’s diverse climates. It tolerates regular trimming, allowing gardeners to shape and maintain neat lines or create a softer, textured look.

Planting and Care Tips

Establishing your Portuguese laurel hedge plants is straightforward. Choose a sunny or partially shaded site with well-drained soil. Plant hedge plants 60-90cm apart for a tight, dense hedge. Mulch well to conserve moisture and suppress weeds, and feed in spring with a balanced fertiliser for lush growth. Prune in late summer or early autumn to maintain your desired height and shape—Portuguese laurels respond well to clipping and quickly form an attractive, solid hedge.

If you’re seeking other hedging or feature shrubs, consider the vibrant foliage of Coprosma australis (Coprosma grandifolia) or the flowering display of Correa Pink Blush (Pink Blush Correa). Both can complement Portuguese laurel and offer alternative textures and colours for mixed plantings.

Portuguese Laurel Hedge Plants in Landscape Design

Portuguese laurel hedge plants integrate beautifully with a range of companion trees and shrubs. For a layered effect, combine them with flowering varieties like Prunus Accolade, Prunus Amanogawa, or Prunus Felix Jury, each offering an ornamental option for shade or seasonal interest.

Pair Portuguese laurel with New Zealand natives such as Sophora 'Dragon's Gold' for golden blooms, or try Callistemon 'Candy Pink' for vibrant pink flowering spikes. For a striking combination, add Chaenomeles Double Take Pink (Chaenomeles Flower) nearby for spring colour.

Buy Healthy Portuguese Laurel Hedge Plants

Our nursery supplies premium Portuguese laurel hedge plants, ready to establish strong, healthy hedges. When you invest in Prunus lusitanica, you’re choosing a reliable, attractive solution for privacy or decorative garden boundaries. Browse our range and discover other exceptional trees like Prunus Awanui or Prunus Falling Snow to enrich your landscape with beautiful flowering accents.

Let Portuguese laurel hedge plants transform your garden into a lush, private haven—perfect for New Zealand homes looking for lasting beauty and resilience.


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.

Our garden favourites Cereus tetragonus (Fairy Castle) and Agapanthus 'Gayles Lilac' get lots of love, but don’t miss out on a few lesser-known delights: Hedera helix 'Golden Ingot', Coprosma 'Red Rocks', and Lavender 'Major'.
–The Plant Company

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