Prunus lusitanica - Portuguese Laurel

Prunus lusitanica is an elegant, large evergreen shrub that is a very popular option for screening in private gardens. The screening can be either in the form of a hedge, standard or pleached tree. Due to it’s dense foliage it will always offer that year round screening that many private gardens are after.

The Prunus lusitianica offers interest in addition to the year round screening. During the early summer small fragrant white flowers in racemes appear up to 25cm long. These wonderfully pretty flowers are followed by shiny red fruits that eventually turn dark purple to black. The dark green foliage contrasts beautifully against the new red shoots.

Its features are not only loved by us, as the Prunus lusitanica proves popular with an abundance of wildlife. Both the flowers and berries are adored by birds, bees and butterflies whilst its dense structure and compact evergreen foliage offers winter protection for small animals.

FACT: The Prunus lusitanica has received the reputable Award of Garden Merit by the RHS.

FACT: Prunus lusitanica is exceptionally resilient and hardier than Prunus laurocerasus.