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PORTUGUESE LAUREL HEDGE

Prunus lusitanica

The beautiful Portuguese Laurel hedge is a popular choice for those wanting a dense hedge that is easy to maintain. Native to the Mediterranean region, this cherry laurel excels in drier environments and those with sandier or clay-heavy soils. Prunus Lusitanica's compact growth make it ideal for a privacy screen.

PORTUGUESE LAUREL QUICK GUIDE

Prunus lusitanica growing region- Portuguese laurel is ideal for USDA zone 7-9
  • Tolerant of warm climates, drought and deer, the Portuguese Cherry Laurel is vibrant yet hardy.
  • The shrub thrives in many different soils, including chalk, clay, loam and sand.
  • The Portuguese Cherry Laurel is evergreen and looks vibrant throughout all seasons.
  • Bees enjoy the sweetly fragrant white flowers in late spring, and the late summer fruits are a valuable food source for birds.
  • With its pest resistance and adaptability to many different soil conditions, the Portuguese Cherry Laurel is easier to maintain than many other hedge varieties.
  • Prunus lusitanica is easy to maintain at 3-4’, it can easily grow up to 10 feet or higher for a tall privacy hedge.

PRUNUS LUSITANICA DETAILS

There are a number of immediate benefits to choosing Prunus lusitanica for your next hedge:

  • Quite drought tolerant and requires little or no irrigation
  • Resistant to deer and many pests including the shot hole fungus that affects Prunus laurocerasus cherry laurels
  • Attractive evergreen glossy leaves and red stems
  • Fragrant spring flowers and fruit are a draw for bird populations
  • Prunus lusitanica is tolerant of a variety of soil types
  • It is a fast-growing shrub and has a dense habit with compact foliage, so Portuguese laurel makes a great privacy screen or windbreak

For more privacy hedge options, you can explore all our different types of hedge plants. You can also check out our other laurel hedge types: Schip laurel and English laurel.

USDA Hardiness Zones: 6b - 9
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Sun/Shade: Partial Sun to Full Sun
Deer Resistance: Yes
Watering Requirements: Moderate
Growth Rate: Fast
Mature Size: 10' tall and 6' wide, trimmed
Drought Tolerance: High
West Coast - Sunset Heat Zones: 4 - 9 and 14 - 24
Pest/Disease Issues: Susceptible to Scales and Verticillium

Landscape Gallery

  • 56529-prunus-lusitanica-portuguese-laurel-hedge-urban-suburban-varied-height-sculpture-contemporary-modern-path

    This outdoor space is framed thoughtfully with well-maintained yew (Taxus) and laurel (Prunus) hedges.

  • N0300318_140-Prunus-lusistanica-portuguese-laurel-hedge-privacy-tall-evergreen

    This modern garden uses Portuguese Laurel combined with a piece of garden art for an interesting and useful design.

  • 00861019-Prunus-lusitanica-portuguese-laurel-hedge-wall

    This laurel (Prunus) hedge makes for an impenetrable boundary between a city sidewalk and this residential yard.

  • 01402453-Prunus-lusitanica-fence-hedge-estate-commercial

    The smaller, glossy-green leaves on this Portuguese laurel (Prunus lusitanica) create a wonderful contrast with the showy flowers behind.

  • N0300319_140-Prunus-lusitanica-portuguese-laurel-hedge-privacy-tall-evergreen

    Portuguese laurel (Prunus lusitanica) forms a very dense hedge over time, creating an effective screen to any outdoor space.

  • This laurel (Prunus) hedge makes for an impenetrable boundary between a city sidewalk and this residential yard.