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- Regular price
- $1,300.00
- Sale price
- $1,300.00
- Regular price
-
Learn About Your New Prunus lusitanica - Portuguese Laurel
Prunus lusitanica, commonly known as Portuguese Laurel, is a top-tier evergreen hedging shrub prized for its dense, glossy dark green foliage and excellent frost tolerance. It’s a versatile, hardy choice perfect for creating formal privacy screens, structured hedges, and low-maintenance landscapes in both cool and warm climates.
With a naturally upright and compact habit, accented by red stems, Portuguese Laurel delivers a clean, structured look whether clipped sharply or left to grow more naturally. In spring, it produces delicate white flower clusters followed by vibrant red berries that mature to black, adding subtle seasonal interest.
Thriving in full sun to part shade and adaptable to various soils including clay, this shrub is especially valued for its drought tolerance once established and exceptional performance in frost-prone areas — a rare quality for an evergreen hedge.
They look excellent when planted in rows for formal hedging or as standalone privacy screens, and pair beautifully with companion plants like shade-tolerant groundcovers or spring-blooming bulbs to create layered garden effects.
1. Botanical & Physical Characteristics
BOTANICAL NAME:
Prunus lusitanica
GENUS:
Prunus
BOTANICAL SPECIES:
lusitanica
COMMON NAME:
Portuguese Laurel
FAMILY:
Rosaceae
EVERGREEN / DECIDUOUS:
Evergreen (foliage year round)
FOLIAGE TYPE
FORM & SHAPE
2. Growth & Environmental Conditions
GROWTH RATE
EXPECTED GROWTH PER YEAR
Approx. 30 – 50 cm/year (Moderate)
MATURE HEIGHT
4m - 8m Approximately (can be larger if unpruned, or kept smaller as a hedge)
MATURE WIDTH
2 – 3 meters
SUNLIGHT EXPOSURE
FROST TOLERANCE
Frost Hardy – Survives heavy and frequent frost without damage.
AUSTRALIAN NATIVE?
No
3. Practical Uses & Flowering
USES:
FLOWER COLOUR
White
FLOWER TYPE
FLOWERING PERIOD
Planting Tips
Plant Spacing
Ensuring A Strong Start
Root Ball Dimensions (Width × Depth) for Planting
Use this as a reference when digging your planting hole. We recommend digging at least 10% wider than the dimensions below to encourage strong root development.
- 30cm Pot: 33cm (W) × 30cm (D)
- 40cm/45L Pot: 44cm (W) × 41.5cm (D)
- 50cm Pot: 49.5cm (W) × 35.2cm (D)
- 70L Pot: 55cm (W) × 41.8cm (D)
- 100L Bag: 50.6cm (W) × 52.8cm (D)
- 100L Pot: 66cm (W) × 49.5cm (D)
- 150L Bag: 66cm (W) × 55cm (D)
- 200L Bag: 71.5cm (W) × 60.5cm (D)
- 300L Bag: 88cm (W) × 63.8cm (D)
- 400L Bag: 99cm (W) × 66cm (D)
- 500L Bag: 122cm (W) × 66cm (D)
- 750L Bag: 134cm (W) × 69cm (D)
- 1000L Bag: 146.3cm (W) × 71.5cm (D)
- 2000L Bag: 176cm (W) × 82.5cm (D)
Post Planting Care
When planting a new tree or shrub, proper watering is essential to ensure healthy establishment and long-term growth. Follow these guidelines to give your plant the best start:
- Immediately After Planting:
Water generously right after planting to settle the soil around the roots and eliminate air pockets. This helps the roots make good contact with the soil. - First Three Months (Establishment Phase):
The initial three months are critical for root development. Water deeply twice daily (morning and evening) to encourage strong, deep root growth. - Irrigation Systems:
If using an irrigation system, adjust it to provide adequate water during the establishment phase. Ensure the water reaches the root zone without overwatering. - Weather Considerations:
Adjust watering based on weather conditions. Increase frequency during hot, dry periods and reduce it during cooler, wetter seasons. - Ongoing Care:
After the establishment phase (3 months), gradually reduce watering frequency but ensure the plant receives consistent moisture, especially during dry spells.
Long Term & Ongoing Care
Growing Your Prunus lusitanica - Portugese laurel in Various Soil Types
FAQ
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