Prunus lusitanica Portugal laurel - shrub
size/type
medium-sized shrub,medium-sized shrub
usual height
2-5m
usual width
2-4m
leaves
evergreen broadleaf
colour of leaves
flowers
less showy but noticeable
colour of flowers
blooming time
May-June
location
full to partial sun
soil type
acidic (peaty)
soil moisture requirements
evenly moist (dislikes drought)
USDA zone (lowest)
7 (down to -23°C)
winter protection
for zone 5+6
for zone 7
categorized
Description of the plant:
We are specialists in evergreen plants and offer the widest possible range of hardy, quality plants. Portugal laurel is a great evergreen plant that is surprisingly hardier that some large-leaved cherry laurels. Origin: S.W.Europe.
This shrub has ovate to elliptic, pointed, mid-sized leaves that are deep green and glossy and have conspicuous red stalks and new twigs. Blossoms are numerous racemes, compound of white, sweetly scented flowers. Fruits are black berries, and tests proved that they are not poisonous, only seeds from unripe fruit can cause stomach discomfort if eaten in quantity. In good soil it grows moderately or fast into a widely pyramidal large shrub with a rounded top and long, slightly arching branches. It can be pruned in April or shaped in mid July.
It loves full sun if grown in well-drained soil but will thrive almost anywhere. In locations with cold and long winters we suggest finding it a place without direct winter sunlight that might burn its leaves. Once established it tolerates summer dry spells. On the other hand, the moister the soil, the richer and healthier foliage you can expect. Grow it preferably in neutral or slightly acidic, moist but well-drained soil, rich in organic matter. In winter provide extra watering in frost-free periods when the ground is not frozen. Reliably hardy to -24°C (USDA zone 6) but withstands short periods of lower temperatures.
Last update 26-02-2009; 06-01-2010; 17-01-2013
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GLOSSARY
- STANDARD QUALITY - Plants of this group are 1st class quality with number of branches and overall density adequate to their size and age, considering they were container grown.
- DE LUXE QUALITY - This label guarantees a luxurious quality of manually selected plants that, compared to their height and age, are exceptionally dense and beautiful.
- EXTRA - These plants are usually mature and bigger specimens with exceptional overall appearance.
- STANDARD (as described in the plant form) means a tree with a trunk of 190-210 cm and a crown at the top, unless specified differently. The commercial size for trees is their girth measured in the height of 1m from ground.
- HOBBY - These plants are of the same quality as our standard-quality plants but younger and therefore cheaper.
- SHRUB - a woody plant with branches growing bushy from the ground level.
- HALF-STANDARD or MINI-STANDARD - a small tree with shorter trunk, its size is usually specified.
- FEATHERED - These are trees with branches growing already from the base of the trunk and up along the stem.
- GRASSES and PERENNIALS - Sizes given usually read the diameter of the pot or the clump, as specified.
