The cherry laurel can be found in many gardens as an evergreen hedge plant or as an attractive solitary shrub. The German name cherry laurel or laurel cherry refers both to the foliage of the tree and to the cherry-like fruits.

Determining characteristics:

The cherry laurel, lat. Prunus laurocerasus, belongs to the rose family and grows between two and seven meters high. From April to May, the shrub adorns itself with flowers about one centimeter in size, arranged in alternate umbels. Some varieties bloom a second time in September. The fleshy, round drupes are initially green and turn dark purple to black by autumn. The foliage of the laurel cherry is smooth-edged, oblong-shaped and glossy dark green, the leaf size varies depending on the variety.

origin and distribution

The original home of the cherry laurel is in the temperate regions of the Caucasus and in northern Iran. The shrub occurs there at altitudes of up to 1,600 meters, and some varieties even thrive at altitudes of up to 2,300 meters. In the wild, as a forest plant, the laurel cherry prefers to inhabit the soil regions of light deciduous forests and prefers shady or semi-shady locations.

The cherry laurel was introduced as an ornamental shrub in England as early as the 16th century and from here it spread as a decorative and winter-hardy ornamental shrub in gardens and parks throughout Europe.

The toxicity of the cherry laurel

The cherry laurel is poisonous in all parts of the plant. If you rub the leaves between your fingers, you can perceive a slight aroma of bitter almonds. The toxic glycosides are contained in both the leaves and the seeds, but the pulp is non-toxic.

Botanical profile in brief

  • Designation: Cherry laurel, laurel cherry, Prunus laurocerasus
  • plant family: rose family
  • Type: Evergreen shrub
  • growth height: Fifty centimeters to seven meters
  • growth width: Up to five meters and more
  • Blossoms: White or pale yellow with a light fragrance, umbels
  • Fruit: Cherry-like, dark violet to black in color
  • Location: Sunny to semi-shady
  • Floor: Nutritious and permeable
  • Frost resistance: Depending on the variety, very hardy
  • Particularities: Poisonous!

tips and tricks

Cherry laurel not only looks good as a hedge plant. The attractive shrub can also be easily cut into a ball or pyramid and then sets attractive accents in the garden.

Category:

Trees