Cherry laurel is an evergreen shrub or small tree in the rose family (Roseaceae) native to Europe. With its erect habit and glossy green leaves, this plant grows up to 20 feet tall and can spread to 10 feet wide. The species epithet is derived from the Latin words for "laurel" and "cherry" and references the laurel-like leaves of this species of cherry. This plant is tolerant of alkaline soils, dry and poor soils, pollution, and heavy pruning. It is moderately tolerant to salt but is intolerant of heavy fertilization. It has a rapid growth rate with competitive roots. It grows in full sun to deep shade. Cherry laurel is accepting of most soil types and textures but grows best in rich soil high in organic matter. This plant blooms in the spring with heavily fragrant flowers that bloom even in heavy shade. It is generally a larger plant with larger, broader leaves than dwarf cultivars 'Otto Luyken' or 'Schipkaensis'. It is often confused with Ilex latifolia as both have similar-looking foliage, growth form, and screening abilities. Glands on the lower leaf blade distinguish the cherry laurels, and glands next to the midrib separate this species from P. carolinana, as do the erect inflorescences (versus pendent in P. caroliniana ). Use as a screen for shaded areas or a tall hedge. Plant it in mass in a woodland or shade garden, or even use it as a specimen plant. Quick ID Hints: Semi-circular stipular scar; leaves have a cherry odor when bruised Leaf is evergreen, coriaceous, broad, elliptic-oblong 2 to 8 glands on the underside of the leaf blade base near the midrib Inflorescences are erect, axillary racemes Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Better resistance than most other species in the genus Prunus . Susceptible to shot-hole disease, powdery mildew, and root rot. This plant has escaped cultivation on the Pacific coast west of the Cascades and is classified there as a weed of concern. More information on Prunus .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day) | Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight) | Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Clay; High Organic Matter; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Alkaline (>8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage
Available space
6-feet-12 feet; 12-24 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 10 ft. 0 in. - 20 ft. 0 in. | Width: 8 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Rapid
Canopy layer
2 - Understory (15-40 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Dense; Oval; Rounded; Spreading
Texture
Medium
Foliage
Broadleaf Evergreen
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Elliptical; Oblong
Leaf margin
Entire; Serrate
Leaf feel
Glossy
Leaf size
> 6 inches long, 3-6 inches wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Leaves are alternate, simple, coriaceous, oblong to elliptic, acuminate, cuneate to rounded, serrate to nearly entire, lustrous medium to dark green above, and 10" long and 5" wide. Leaves have 2 to 8 conspicuous glands on blade underside and near base and next to the midrib.
Flower color
White
Flower value
Fragrant; Showy
Flower form
Raceme
Flower shape
Star
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
Flowers are white, fragrant, less than an inch in size, and have 20 stamens. Inflorescence is an axillary, dense, cylindrical raceme that grows up to 4" long.
Bloom time
Spring
Fruit color
Black; Purple/Lavender
Fruit type
Drupe
Fruit size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
Fruits are globose-ovoid drupes that are purple-black and less than an inch in size.
Stem detail
Twigs are green and have a cherry odor when bruised. Pith is pale of brown and continuous. They have semi-circular stipular scars.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Non-native
Origin
Europe
Distribution
CA, OR, WA, British Columbia
Wildlife value
This is a larval host plant to Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus). You may see three flights from February-November in the deep south and two flights from May-September in the north. Fruits are relished by birds.