Prunus lusitanica - Portugese laurel - Evergreen Trees Direct

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Prunus lusitanica Portuguese Laurel

$160.00

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Size: 30cm/33cm - Batch A

30cm/33cm - Batch A 30cm/33cm - Batch B 40cm/45L 50cm 70L 100L 150L 200L

Current Stock Height Guides

30cm/33cm: 0.6m – 1m Approx.
40cm/45L: 0.8m – 1.2m Approx.
70L: 1m – 1.2m Approx.
100L: Enquire within for height guide information.
150L: 1.2m – 1.4m Approx.
200L: 1.4m – 1.6m Approx.

Height guide disclaimer: Height ranges are approximate only. As living products, plant heights naturally vary between individual plants, batches, and seasons. No guarantee is given that supplied plants will fall within the stated range. If minimum heights are required, you mustconfirm current batch heights with Evergreen Trees Direct prior to purchase. Variation in height is normal and is not grounds for return, refund, replacement, or compensation.

Mature Height & Width

Mature Height: 4m to 8m (approx.) (can be larger if unpruned, or kept smaller as a hedge)

Mature Width: 2m to 3m

Prunus lusitanica Portuguese Laurel is expected to grow 30cm to 50cm per year (moderate) (approx.).

Root Ball Dimensions

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 / 70L Pot: 55cm (W) × 41.8cm (D)
100L Bag: 50.6cm (W) × 52.8cm (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)

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Email: sales@evergreentrees.com.au

Phone: (03) 7042 3318

About Your New Prunus lusitanica Portuguese Laurel

Prunus lusitanica, the Portuguese Laurel, is a dense evergreen shrub with glossy dark green leaves carried on deep red stalks. Growth is upright and close, holding foliage right down to the base. Small white flower spikes appear in spring, followed by red berries that darken to black. It clips cleanly or grows loose and informal.

Full sun to part shade suits it, and it copes with clay as long as water moves through. Cold is no obstacle. This is one of the few reliable evergreen hedges for genuinely frost prone gardens in the tablelands, Victoria and Tasmania. Growth is around 30 to 50 centimetres a year, with good drought tolerance once established.

Set plants 80 centimetres apart for a tight formal hedge, or 1 to 1.5 metres for a softer screen. It is a standard choice for boundary screening, courtyard walls and clipped garden structure, and it takes readily to topiary and standards. A hedge that stays furnished at ground level year after year is worth paying for.

Frequently Asked Questions

About Portuguese Laurel

What is Portuguese Laurel?

Portuguese Laurel is an evergreen shrub from the Iberian Peninsula, botanically Prunus lusitanica, grown almost entirely for hedging and screening. It has thick glossy dark green leaves on red stems, a naturally dense upright habit, and small white flower spikes in spring that give way to red then black berries. It is not an Australian native.

How big does Portuguese Laurel grow?

Left unpruned it will reach roughly 4 to 6 metres over many years, with a spread of 2 to 3 metres. In practice almost every hedge is held somewhere between 1.5 and 3 metres by clipping, and it responds to that treatment without thinning out. Growth is a steady 30 to 50 centimetres a year rather than rapid.

How far apart should I plant it for a hedge?

Plant at 80 centimetres apart for a tight formal hedge that closes up quickly, or 1 to 1.5 metres apart for a looser informal screen. Closer spacing fills faster but the plants compete sooner, so keep water and feeding up in the early years. Set the row at least a metre off a fence line to allow access for clipping.

Is it frost tolerant?

Yes, and this is the main reason it gets specified. It shrugs off hard frost that would burn Ficus, Murraya or Viburnum, which makes it one of the safest evergreen hedges for cold inland and highland gardens. It is equally at home in mild coastal climates, so the one plant covers a very wide range of Australian conditions.

Does it grow in shade?

It grows well in part shade, including south facing walls and beds under high canopy, which is unusual for a hedge this dense. Expect slightly more open growth and slower filling than the same plants in full sun. Deep shade with root competition from established trees is the one situation where it will disappoint.

Are the berries poisonous?

Treat them as unsafe to eat. Like most plants in the genus Prunus, the leaves, seeds and stones contain cyanogenic compounds, and the small black berries are not edible. It is commonly planted in family gardens without incident, but teach children not to eat the fruit, and keep clippings well away from horses and grazing stock.

How do I prune and maintain a Portuguese Laurel hedge?

Trim twice a year for a formal face, once in mid spring after the flush and again in late summer, using hedge shears or secateurs rather than a heavy machine so leaves are not shredded. Feed in spring, mulch, and water through the first two summers. Hard renovation pruning back into old wood is tolerated and regrows well.

Enriched Planting Mix (AO Certified)

$21.95

Enriched Planting Mix is a certified organic blend of Pure Magic Compost, composted animal manure, gypsum, composted coarse bark and a wetting agent, bagged in 30L. It is built to be dug through existing garden soil at planting time rather than used on its own, and the gypsum is what sets it apart from a plain compost.

Gypsum helps break up heavy clay so water and roots can move through it, while the compost and manure return organic matter and nutrient to tired ground. The coarse bark holds structure and keeps air around the root zone, and the wetting agent keeps moisture in the soil longer after rain or watering.

Use it when planting trees, shrubs, roses, fruit trees and exotic garden plants, particularly into clay. Dig a hole twice the width of the pot and 7 centimetres deeper, then mix roughly one third planting mix through the excavated soil. Spread 7 centimetres of that improved soil in the base before setting the plant in.

Frequently Asked Questions

About Enriched Planting Mix

What is Enriched Planting Mix made from?

It is a blend of Pure Magic Compost, composted animal manure, gypsum, composted coarse bark and a wetting agent. Each part has a job. The compost and manure supply organic matter and nutrient, the gypsum works on clay structure, the bark keeps air around the roots and the wetting agent holds moisture in the soil.

What plants is it suitable for?

It suits exotic garden plants, including roses, ornamental and deciduous trees, fruit trees, shrubs and perennials, and it earns its keep most on heavy clay sites. It is a planting mix rather than a potting mix, so its job is improving soil at planting time. Phosphorus sensitive natives are the one clear exception.

Is it safe for natives?

No, not for the phosphorus sensitive ones. The composted animal manure in this blend lifts phosphorus well above what Proteaceae such as Banksia, Grevillea, Hakea and Protea will tolerate, and the result can be leaf burn, dieback and plant death. Use the Native Potting Mix for those species, or plant them into unimproved local soil.

Is it certified organic?

Yes. It is a certified organic product with no chemical additives, which is why the manure and compost in it are fully composted rather than raw. That makes it sound around fruit trees and vegetable beds, and it means you are adding genuine organic matter to your soil rather than a synthetic conditioner.

How much do I need?

Work on roughly one third planting mix to two thirds of the soil you dug out of the hole. For a shrub out of a 200 millimetre pot that is only a few litres. An advanced tree going into a large hole will take considerably more. Judge the quantity by the volume of the hole rather than the size of the plant.

Can I use it in pots?

It is not a potting mix and should not be used on its own in a container. The blend is designed to be diluted through garden soil, and used straight in a pot it holds too much water and settles badly. For containers, reach for a premium potting mix, or the native mix if you are potting natives.

Does it need to be watered in?

Yes. Water the plant well several hours before you plant it, then water thoroughly again once the hole is backfilled and the soil firmed down. That first deep watering settles the improved soil around the root ball and drives out air pockets. Keep the water up over the first few months while the roots establish.

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Enriched Planting Mix (AO Certified)

$21.95

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Uses in my Garden

Screening or Privacy
Shrubs

Prunus lusitanica Portuguese Laurel works in an:

Formal Garden – structured, symmetrical design with clipped shapes.
Cottage Garden – romantic mix of flowers, colour, and texture.
Modern Garden – sleek, minimal, and design-led planting.
Low-maintenance Garden – resilient choices for easy care and year-round appeal.

Is Prunus lusitanica Portuguese Laurel Evergreen or Deciduous?

Prunus lusitanica Portuguese Laurel is an Evergreen (foliage year round) Tree

Mature Height & Width

Mature Height: 4m to 8m (approx.) (can be larger if unpruned, or kept smaller as a hedge)

Mature Width: 2m to 3m

Prunus lusitanica Portuguese Laurel is expected to grow 30cm to 50cm per year (moderate) (approx.).

Growth Rate of Prunus lusitanica Portuguese Laurel

Prunus lusitanica Portuguese Laurel is expected to grow 30cm to 50cm per year (moderate) (approx.).

They are considered to have a:

Medium Growth Rate

Frost Tolerance & Ideal Climate to plant Prunus lusitanica Portuguese Laurel

Is Prunus lusitanica Portuguese Laurel frost tolerant?

Prunus lusitanica Portuguese Laurel is Frost Hardy – Survives heavy and frequent frost without damage.

Does Prunus lusitanica Portuguese Laurel Flower?

Prunus lusitanica produces elegant, upright racemes of small, fragrant white flowers in late spring to early summer. These lightly perfumed blooms stand out against the glossy deep green foliage and are followed by small red berries that mature to black, adding a subtle seasonal highlight.

Does Prunus lusitanica Portuguese Laurel flower?

Yes - Flowers

Flowering Period:

Spring

Flower Type:

Clustered

Flower Colour:

White

Is Prunus lusitanica Portuguese Laurel an Australian Native Tree?

No

Prunus lusitanica Portuguese Laurel is Native to South-western Europe and North Africa, particularly Portugal, Spain, and Morocco, where it grows naturally in woodlands and mountain slopes.

What is the Wildlife Value of Prunus lusitanica Portuguese Laurel ?

Its fragrant flowers attract bees and a variety of pollinating insects, while the berries provide food for birds through summer and autumn. The dense evergreen canopy offers excellent shelter, protection and nesting habitat for small birds, making it highly valuable in screening, hedging and wildlife-friendly gardens.

How much Sunlight does Prunus lusitanica Portuguese Laurel need?

Prunus lusitanica Portuguese Laurel will thrive best in:

Full Sun
Part Shade

Preferred Soil?

Prunus lusitanica performs best in well-drained loam or sandy loam soils and tolerates slightly acidic to slightly alkaline conditions. It adapts well to a range of soil types but may struggle in heavy, waterlogged clay unless improved with organic matter and coarse material to enhance drainage. Keep soil evenly moist during establishment, then shift to deep, occasional watering as the plant matures to support drought resilience, dense canopy development and long-term hedging performance.

Is Prunus lusitanica Portuguese Laurel Drought Tolerant?

Is Prunus lusitanica Portuguese Laurel Drought tolerant?

As a young plant it requires regular watering, but once established Portuguese Laurel develops good drought tolerance. Hardy, reliable and adaptable, it performs strongly in warm, dry, coastal and urban conditions and maintains dense evergreen foliage with deep, occasional watering during extended dry spells.

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How To Plant Your Prunus lusitanica Portuguese Laurel

Site: Choose a well-drained position in full sun to part shade with room for the canopy to develop.

Soil preparation: Enrich the planting area with quality compost and aged manure for a strong establishment phase.

Hole: Dig twice as wide as the root ball and the same depth.

Planting: Position level with the surrounding soil, backfill gently, firm in, then water deeply to settle the roots.

Recommended Planting Spacing For Your Prunus lusitanica Portuguese Laurel

Hedging and screening: 1 to 1.5 metres apart for a dense informal screen, or 80 centimetres apart for a tighter formal hedge.

Feature tree: 3 to 4 metres apart to allow the full canopy and form to develop.

Avenue planting: 3 metres apart for a uniform soft-textured avenue.

Prunus lusitanica Portuguese Laurel is expected to grow 30cm to 50cm per year (moderate) (approx.).

Medium Growth Rate

Long Term Care For Your Prunus lusitanica Portuguese Laurel

Watering: Water deeply twice weekly through the first 12 months. Once established, reduce to once weekly in dry periods. Mulch helps maintain consistent moisture.

Mulching: Apply a 5 to 7 centimetre layer of organic mulch over the root zone, keeping it 5 centimetres clear of the trunk.

Pruning: Tip prune in late winter and again in summer to build dense growth. For a formal hedge, light shaping two to three times a year keeps lines crisp.

Fertilising: Apply a slow-release general-purpose fertiliser in early spring and again in autumn for steady growth and consistent foliage colour.

Pest and disease: Hardy against most pests and diseases. Occasional inspection in warm humid conditions is all that's needed.

Planting Your Prunus lusitanica Portuguese Laurel in Different Soil

Prunus lusitanica performs best in well-drained loam or sandy loam with a slightly acidic to neutral pH. Adaptable to a wide range of soils when drainage is improved with organic matter.

Sandy soil: Free-draining and ideal. Mulch well to maintain consistent moisture.

Clay soil: Improve drainage with gypsum and organic compost before planting.

Loam: The preferred soil for steady root development and consistent growth.

pH: Slightly acidic to neutral preferred. Mulch with composted leaf litter to maintain levels naturally.

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions:

What is the significance of Portuguese Laurel's fragrant flowers?
The fragrant white flowers add a delightful aroma to the garden and attract pollinators, enhancing biodiversity.
Can Portuguese Laurel be used for formal hedges and topiary?
Yes, its dense growth habit and evergreen foliage make it an excellent choice for formal hedges and topiary.
Is it suitable for providing privacy in outdoor spaces?
Yes, it is often used as a privacy screen due to its dense foliage and upright growth.
Does Prunus lusitanica attract wildlife?
The fragrant flowers may attract bees and other pollinators, contributing to garden biodiversity.