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portuguese laurel trees for sale

If you're searching for hardy evergreen hedging or a lush privacy screen, our Portuguese laurel trees for sale (Prunus lusitanica) are an exceptional choice for New Zealand gardens. Known for their dense, glossy green foliage and elegant upright growth, Portuguese laurel thrives in a variety of conditions, offering year-round beauty and reliable shelter from wind and noise. Whether you’re establishing a formal garden, creating a clipped hedge, or seeking a versatile ornamental tree, Prunus lusitanica brings both style and substance to your outdoor space.

Prunus lusitanica

5 from 2 customers

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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Prunus lusitanica

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Why Choose Portuguese Laurel Trees?

Portuguese laurel is celebrated for its endurance and classic good looks. It copes well with coastal conditions, adapts to various soil types, and resists most common pests and diseases. The deep green, elliptical leaves create a rich backdrop for other garden plants, while the creamy, fragrant white flowers that appear in late spring attract pollinators and add seasonal interest. Over time, mature Portuguese laurel trees develop attractive red stems and can be pruned to your preferred size and shape—perfect for both formal hedges and relaxed, free-growing screens.

Ideal Uses for Portuguese Laurel in Your Garden

Looking for the perfect hedge or shelterbelt? Portuguese laurel trees for sale at our nursery are popular among landscapers and gardeners for creating privacy barriers along driveways, property boundaries, or as windbreaks. Their dense growth habit ensures excellent coverage, even at a young age. If you seek to pair Portuguese laurel with flowering trees for varied interest, consider Prunus Accolade, Prunus Amanogawa, or Prunus Falling Snow for soft spring blooms and contrasting foliage.

Planting and Care Tips

For best results, plant Portuguese laurel in well-drained soil in full sun to partial shade. Space your trees 80 to 100 centimetres apart for a dense hedge. Mulch well after planting to conserve moisture and suppress weeds. Regular pruning in late summer will keep your laurel hedge neat and encourage dense new growth. With its robust nature, Portuguese laurel suits coastal and urban environments and tolerates periods of dry weather once established.

Complementing Plants for Structure and Texture

To create a striking landscape, complement your Portuguese laurel with different textures and colours. Low hedges like Hebe 'Emerald Green' or the vibrant foliage of Cordyline fruticosa John Klass Red can add further interest to your garden borders. For shades and forms that blend beautifully, consider Hebe Wairua Beauty, Boronia Rose Blossom, or Hypocalymma angustifolium Coconut Ice.

Order Portuguese Laurel Trees for Sale in NZ

Explore our premium selection of Portuguese laurel trees for sale, all grown to thrive in New Zealand’s unique climate. Whether you’re planting a new hedge or revitalising a mature landscape, Prunus lusitanica ensures lasting structure and timeless appeal. Browse our full range of ornamental and flowering trees, including Prunus Awanui and Prunus Felix Jury, to inspire your next garden project. Let us help you create an outdoor sanctuary you’ll love year-round.


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.

You know Azara microphylla and Corokia 'Mangatangi', but have you met Pieris japonica 'Purity', Blueberry 'Tifblue', and Coprosma 'Poor Knights' (Taupata)? These beauties are worth a closer look.
–The Plant Company

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