Prunus laurocerasus (Syn. 'Mt. Vernon') 'MOUNT VERNON' cherry laurel, common laurel, English laurel
Prunus
The genus Prunus is quite extensive and, above all, remarkably diverse – it includes around 350 different species, some of which you would hardly place in the same group at first glance. Its representatives occur from Asia through Europe and North Africa to North America. The genus comprises trees and shrubs valued mainly for their abundant and attractive flowering, as well as species with delicious edible fruits, and in this particular case an evergreen species whose persistent foliage becomes especially important during the dormant season, when most other woody plants are leafless. This species is known as cherry laurel (Prunus laurocerasus) and originates from regions around the Black Sea, the Caucasus, and northern Turkey, where it grows in submontane forests and on moist, shaded slopes. Its glossy, leathery leaves resemble those of true laurel, and this similarity that gave rise to its name – lauro‑cerasus, meaning “laurel cherry.” It reached Europe as early as the 16th century and, thanks to its frost hardiness, is today one of the most important evergreen woody plants even in Central European climate.
Cherry laurel was scientifically described in 1753 by Carl Linnaeus in his seminal work Species Plantarum, where it received its still accepted name Prunus laurocerasus. A later, now obsolete name, Laurocerasus officinalis, nevertheless points to a much older history of cultivation and use. A laurel‑like plant identified with cherry laurel is already mentioned by Theophrastus, Dioscorides and Pliny the Elder, who noted its unusual properties. From the leaves of cherry laurel, a distillate known as aqua laurocerasi was prepared and, when used with due caution, employed as a sedative – hence the Latin epithet officinalis, meaning medicinal. Historically and with documentary support, cherry laurel, its introduction, and its first cultivation in European gardens can be traced to the year 1576. This date fits well within the period of diplomatic missions between the Ottoman Empire and the Habsburgs, when seeds, cuttings, and young plants of previously unknown species were brought from Constantinople to Central Europe through networks associated with figures such as the imperial envoy David Ungnad (1530–1600) and the botanist Carolus Clusius (1526–1609). The transfer of newly discovered plants was regarded as a gift equal in value to gold, works of art, or archaeological finds, and represented an important expression of learning, prestige, and practical knowledge of the natural world.
Mount Vernon represents a completely different type of cherry laurel from the one we know from traditional hedges. It is a low-growing, spreading cultivar with strong, woody branches that expand far more in width than in height, forming a dense, continuous evergreen cover. At maturity it usually reaches only 30–60 cm in height, while gradually spreading several metres across. The branches lie close to the ground and overlap one another, creating a compact, almost impenetrable carpet. All the more surprising, then, are its leaves, which are exceptionally large – 10-15 cm long – and handsome . They are evergreen, narrowly oval to broadly elliptical, leathery, deep green and highly glossy, arranged so densely that the soil beneath the plant remains permanently shaded. The overall impression is calm and remarkably stable, without the need for shaping or frequent intervention.
The cultivar was bred in the United States in 1967 at Wells Nursery and takes its name from Mount Vernon in Virginia, the historic estate of George Washington. Here, cherry laurel had a long tradition and was highly valued as a garden shrub. It could be found almost everywhere as part of the designed landscape – whether as an attractive specimen plant or in the form of carefully maintained hedges. It is therefore entirely logical that ‘Mount Vernon’, with its distinctive and unusual structure, became a favourite at the time of its introduction, bridging plantings of taller shrubs with perennial beds and borders, and proving that it can truly shine even at a modest height.
Cherry laurels require moist but well‑drained soil, ideally acidic to neutral and rich in nutrients. They do not tolerate compacted, heavy clay, muddy, or permanently waterlogged soils. They are sensitive to lime in the soil, which most commonly manifests as chlorosis – the leaves lose their green colour and the vein pattern becomes pronounced. Similar symptoms may also occur in cases of nutrient deficiency. In both situations, the application of magnesium sulphate (Epsom salt), organic fertilisers, or adjustment of soil pH towards a more acidic reaction is beneficial. They tolerate pruning of any intensity and respond particularly well to rejuvenation pruning into old wood, from which they readily regenerate. The best time for pruning is in spring after the risk of frost has passed; shaping cuts are carried out in mid‑summer. Because they retain their leaves year‑round – even in winter – and continuously transpire water, they require an adequate supply of moisture. Until a sufficiently deep root system develops, it is advisable to water them at least once a month during dry winters to prevent dehydration and subsequent leaf scorch caused by strong winter sun. To retain moisture and protect against temperature fluctuations, year‑round mulching is strongly recommended. ‘Mount Vernon’ is highly frost-hardy to at least −25 °C (USDA zone 6) and will tolerate even lower temperatures if covered with snow cover during severe frosts.
Last update 07-02-2007; 22-12-2025
