Lauroceraso

Class

Dicotyledons

Division

Angiospermae

Family

Rosaceae

Order

Rosales

Genus

Prunus

Species

laurocerasus

Description

Vigorous evergreen shrub or tree whose dense foliage of glossy bright green leaves makes it suitable for creating plant barriers or hedges in the garden or on a terrace. In spring, it is adorned with creamy-white raceme-like inflorescences, which are well liked by useful insects. Highly rustic, it adapts to different soil and climate conditions, even in urban areas.

Variety description

A widespread evergreen shrub plant due to its adaptability and hardiness to environmental and climatic factors. Very luxuriant and shrub-like in habit, but can develop into a tree or tall green wall. Thick, glossy green foliage; flowering is abundant with creamy white vertical inflorescences lasting about two to three weeks. Adapts to many types of soil. Used for forming hedges, green barriers for environmental mitigation, borders and isolated shrubs for parks, gardens and planters.

Origin and distribution

An allochthonous species native to Asia Minor and south-eastern Europe, it was introduced to the rest of Europe during the 1500s as an ornamental plant.

Leaf

The persistent, leathery leaves have an oblong lamina with a slightly curved downward edge.

Flowering period

It flowers from mid- to late spring for a duration of 15 to 20 days.

Inflorescence

It has erect raceme-like inflorescences borne at the axil of the leaves.

Leaf colour

Solid-coloured, shiny and dark green on the underside and lighter and opaque on the bottom.

Plant height

The height of the plant varies from 1 to 4 m, depending on the growing conditions.

Lifespan

Polyennial evergreen plant.

Where to plant

With its wide versatility of use, it is suitable for flowerbeds, dividing beds, gardens and parks, large flowerbeds and road roundabouts, large pots, open fields, terraces, outdoor tubs

Stem

The stem is semi-woody with smooth greyish-brown bark.

Flower

It flowers from mid- to late spring, with a flowering period of between 15 and 20 days. It is not particularly attractive to pollinating insects.

Growth

Medium-vigorous Growth plant.

Plant habit

It develops a bushy habit with dense, compact foliage.

Branching

Abundant branching allows high foliage density with a cohesive and balanced ornamental result.

PH

It requires a soil or substrate pH between 6.0 and 7.0.

Soil preparation

For transplanting in late winter ensure that the soil is not frozen. It is advisable to carry out light digging to remove any weeds and bulky pebbles, and to bury organic or slow-release chemical fertiliser specifically for ornamental plants.

Sun exposure

Choose exposures in bright shade, full sun.

Ideal climate and temperature

The ideal temperature is between 0.0 and 30 °C and is well adapted to the hot summer climate.

Use

Due to its size and adaptability it is appreciated as a plant in:

Outdoor ornamental Outdoor Landscape Design Landscaping Plants for environmental phytoremediation

Hardiness

Ahighly rustic plant, it adapts to different soil conditions even in urban areas.

Soil

For proper root growth, the soil must be light, fresh and well draining. For pots and tubs, use a new, high-quality substrate based on peat and perlite.

Difficulty

Following successful planting at the new site, the cultivation of laurel trees requires a low level of management effort.

Growing tips

Some useful tips and cultivation aspects:

Balanced fertilisation For a good, abundant and continuous flowering, it is necessary to fertilise well both in the autumn and in the spring at the vegetative restart and to water regularly Prefers warm and humid climate

Planting

Transplant by completely burying the root ball but keeping the collar off the soil surface. Plant the young plants in loam or loose, light soil to encourage root development; compact the soil around the collar and water without producing waterlogging.

Pruning

Cultivation in the garden or park will require annual training pruning to contain excess growth.

Propagation

Propagation is by seed, cuttings or layering.

Watering

Allow the soil or substrate to dry slightly between successive waterings, also observing the turgidity of the leaves to assess water requirements. Prevent water stagnation which can lead to root asphyxia. When growing in pots or planters, irrigate weekly depending on the seasonality of heat and evapotranspiration.

Fertilising

When preparing the soil for transplanting, carry out a background fertilisation by burying organic or slow-release chemical fertiliser specifically for ornamental plants. Following transplanting, carry out periodic fertilisation during the spring-summer period without exceeding the doses. It is advisable to observe the colour of the leaves to detect a possible need for nutrients, in particular if they tend to yellow, apply fertiliser for ornamental plants containing iron and magnesium.

Pet safety

Toxic to animals.

Edibility for humans

Non-edible.

Toxicity for humans

All parts of the plant are poisonous as they contain prussic acid (hydrocyanic acid).

Tip

Observe the turgidity of the leaves to assess water needs. And the colour for fertilisation needs. If they tend to yellow, fertilise with fertiliser containing iron and magnesium.