Call us: 0800 843 752Free shipping for orders $150 or over
Gift Vouchers

prunus lusitanica shrub

The Prunus lusitanica shrub, commonly known as Portuguese Laurel, is an enduring favourite in New Zealand gardens thanks to its stunning evergreen foliage, dense habit, and versatility. This elegant shrub offers year-round structure and privacy, acting as an ideal hedge or screening plant. With glossy dark green leaves, attractive red stems, and clusters of fragrant white flowers in early summer, the Prunus lusitanica shrub brings both beauty and practicality to your landscape. Whether you’re establishing a formal boundary or adding backbone planting to your borders, Portuguese Laurel is a reliable choice that adapts well to a range of conditions.

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.

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
prunus-accolade-
Most Popular Prunus 'Accolade'

Prunus 'Accolade' is a spectacular flowering cherry prized for its masses of soft pink blossom that appear in early spring before or alongside the...

From$387.55
prunus-amanogawa-
Most Popular Prunus 'Amanogawa'

Prunus 'Amanogawa' is a narrow upright flowering cherry that brings elegant spring colour to New Zealand gardens. Its masses of fragrant soft pink...

From$387.55
prunus-awanui-3
Most Popular Prunus 'Awanui'

Prunus 'Awanui' is a beautiful flowering cherry that delivers an outstanding display of blossom each spring, making it a favourite for New Zealand...

From$387.55
prunus-falling-snow-
Most Popular Prunus 'Falling Snow'

Prunus 'Falling Snow' is an elegant flowering cherry that produces masses of brilliant white blossoms in spring, creating a spectacular display in...

From$387.55
prunus-felix-jury-
Most Popular Prunus 'Felix Jury'

Prunus 'Felix Jury' is a stunning flowering cherry renowned for its spectacular display of large double pink blossoms in spring. The abundant flowers...

From$494.05
Abutilon megapotamicum red and yellow flower.
Most Popular Abutilon megapotamicum

Abutilon megapotamicum, commonly known as Trailing Abutilon or Chinese Lantern, is a graceful shrub with arching stems and distinctive red and yellow...

From$22.95
azalea-charlie-2
Most Popular Azalea 'Charlie'

Azalea 'Charlie' is an attractive evergreen azalea that produces masses of bright flowers during spring, creating a colourful feature in New Zealand...

From$32.95
camellia-sasanqua-paradise-vanessa-1
Most Popular Camellia 'Paradise Vanessa'

Camellia 'Paradise Vanessa' is a beautiful evergreen shrub that produces soft pink blooms, bringing elegance and seasonal colour to New Zealand...

From$27.95
leptospermum-wiri-kerry--3
Most Popular Leptospermum 'Wiri Kerry'

Leptospermum 'Wiri Kerry' is an attractive evergreen shrub admired for its dense fine foliage and masses of colourful flowers through spring and...

From$27.53
Lavender 'Fairy Wings Whimsical' plant with masses of light pink flowers.
Most Popular Lavender 'Fairy Wings Whimsical'

Lavender 'Whimsical Fairy Wings' is a captivating lavender variety admired for its soft pink purple blooms topped with delicate wing-like bracts...

From$24.15
Prunus lusitanica

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring Prunus or Evergreen Shrubs. Alternatively, forage through similar ideas like prunus lusitanica tree, and buy prunus lusitanica.

Search Prunus lusitanica

Why Choose Prunus lusitanica shrub?

Prunus lusitanica shrub stands out for its robust nature and adaptability. This shrub flourishes in full sun to partial shade and tolerates many soil types, making it a low-maintenance option for both coastal and inland gardens across New Zealand. It responds well to clipping, allowing you to shape it into neat hedges or leave it slightly informal for a more natural look. Beyond its good looks, the Portuguese Laurel is relatively pest and disease resistant, requiring minimal intervention to thrive.

Planting and Care Tips

Plant your Prunus lusitanica shrub in well-draining soil, enriched with organic matter for best results. Space plants around 1 metre apart if you’re intending to grow a robust, dense hedge. Water regularly until established, then reduce as the plant becomes more drought-tolerant. An annual feed in early spring will maintain lush growth and healthy foliage. Regular pruning isn’t essential, but lightly clipping after flowering will keep your laurel tidy and encourage bushy growth.

Design Ideas for the Prunus lusitanica shrub

Portuguese Laurel is revered for its versatility. Use it as a formal hedge, clipped into clean lines, or as a backbone shrub in mixed borders for contrast and year-round interest. Pair with other evergreen shrubs, such as Euonymus 'Emerald and Gold', for a textural display, or combine with flowering shrubs like Eutaxia obovata (Sweet Pea Bush) to introduce pops of colour. For a layered look, plant with Leptospermum White Cascade or Grevillea fasciculata around the base.

Explore Our Range of Prunus and Shrub Species

If you appreciate the graceful presence of the Prunus lusitanica shrub, discover our wider selection of ornamental Prunus Accolade, Prunus Amanogawa, Prunus Awanui, Prunus Falling Snow, and Prunus Felix Jury for spectacular seasonal interest. If you’re seeking companion evergreens, Abutilon Lucky Lantern White offers dainty blooms, complementing the bold foliage of Prunus lusitanica.

Add the Prunus lusitanica shrub to your planting palette for a stylish, classic, and practical solution that enhances your garden all 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.

–The Plant Company

Explore Garden Inspiration

Sign up to receive a free $10 Voucher You won’t be bombarded with emails, just titbits of quality information from time to time Sign up
Free shipping on orders over $150!

Join our community of happy customers.

4.8

445 Google reviews