Prunus lusitanica 'BRENELIA' Portugal laurel

Brenelia is a modern and attractive cultivar of Portuguese laurel from France, selected by Yves Brenelière in the early 21st century. It is distinguished by its larger, distinctly undulated leaves with a higher gloss. The foliage is evergreen, narrowly elliptic, typically 8–12 cm long and 2–4 cm wide, dark green and highly glossy. Young shoots are strikingly wine-red and often retain this colouring for a significant part of the growing season, giving the plant a clear colour advantage over older laurels. In June, slender racemes 15–25 cm long appear, composed of small, five-petalled white flowers opening from perfectly round white buds that resemble tiny pearls. They are pleasantly fragrant. After flowering, small dark drupes develop, attractive to birds but unsuitable for human consumption. The unripe, hard fruits contain trace amounts of cyanogenic compounds in the seeds, but these would have to be thoroughly chewed to pose any real risk.

The growth rate of Brenelia is comparable to that of the species, usually around 30–40 cm per year, and the overall character of the shrub is much more relaxed than that of Angustifolia. Its undulated leaves give the plant a more sculptural appearance, while their gloss adds a touch of luxury. The habit is broadly conical to ovate, and in maturity it reaches approximately 4–6 m in height and 3–4 m in width. This makes it well suited as an attractive specimen shrub or for use in landscapes with other evergreen shrubs of differing height and foliage texture. Its growth rate and relaxed habit are also appreciated in informal green screens that are not regularly clipped; nevertheless, it tolerates pruning very well and can be maintained long-term in the desired shape while retaining fullness and vitality. The cultivar is protected under European Plant Breeders’ Rights (PBR), registration number 38976, granted in 2014.

Portugal laurel prefers deep soils with ample nutrients and moisture, but thanks to its long roots it is able, over time, to find both nutrients and water almost anywhere. The soil must be well drained – it does not tolerate waterlogging. Once established, it copes very well with prolonged summer droughts and the heat of southern Europe. Nevertheless, it performs best in the moist climate typical of Great Britain, north‑western Europe (the Benelux countries) and the peat‑rich regions of northern Germany, where additional moisture promotes denser foliage. In acidic soils the leaves develop a deeper colour, although this is not essential for healthy growth; simply avoid strongly calcareous soils. Mulching is particularly beneficial for young and newly planted specimens, helping to retain moisture around the roots and protecting them from temperature fluctuations in winter. Hardiness is high – better than that of large‑leaved cherry laurels – because its thinner leaves manage water more efficiently in winter and are less prone to dehydration and scorch. Established plants (approximately 3–5 years after planting) can tolerate temperatures down to −27 °C (USDA zone 5b). Fertilising is possible but not necessary; the use of mycorrhiza at planting is ideal. Pruning can be carried out in early spring to encourage branching or in mid‑summer for shaping. The plant also tolerates deep rejuvenation pruning into old wood.

Last update 04-05-2015; 07-02-2026