The evergreen laurel cherry is primarily planted as a privacy hedge because of its dense and beautifully colored foliage. What is less well known is that the shrubs also adorn themselves with pretty flowers, which are also popular with butterflies and other insects.
The appearance of the flowers
The cherry laurel forms many small individual flowers that are in a terminal, racemose inflorescence. They are radiate (radially symmetrical) and five-fold with a double perianth (flower shell). They spread a pleasant aromatic scent. Small spherical fruits develop from the flowers, which turn from green to black as they ripen.
The heyday
The flowering period of the laurel cherry extends from April to May. Some species bloom a second time in September.
After flowering is the best time to cut back a cherry laurel hedge. The plants then produce hardly any fruit and put all their energy into the dense growth.
Are there any varieties that don't flower?
Contrary to popular belief, all cherry laurel species bloom, with some varieties forming a denser bloom than others. Caucasia and Herbergii, for example, are characterized by very strong flowering, while Rotundfolia and Novita set significantly fewer flower umbels.
The laurel cherry only does not bloom at all if the soil or the site conditions are not optimal.
tips and tricks
Like all other plant parts of the laurel cherry, the stone contained in the berries is poisonous. Since the pulp tastes pleasantly sweet, children might mistake the berries for edible. You should therefore always cut off the withered umbels if there are small children in your household.
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