Portuguese Laurel

19.06.2023 - 09:36 / aberdeengardening.co.uk

In Winter our garden isn’t exactly something to rave about. However bog standard shrubs such as the Portuguese Laurel saves the day.

Well to be honest I thought that planting a shrub that comes from Portugal, Spain and other countries much warmer than Scotland may be a bit of a gamble.

How wrong could I be, turns out that the Portuguese Laurel Prunus Lusitanica is as hardy as old boots. Thrives in all areas of Scotland except for, maybe Braemar in the Highlands, or, perhaps you know better.

I love the glossy dark green leaves which are smaller and more eye-catching than those of the common Cherry Laurel which I profiled recently. (see link below)

Prunus Laurocerasus Cherry Laurel

The Portuguese Laurel makes a grand evergreen hedge, stand alone specimen or topiary shrub.

Panicles of very beautiful white flowers appear in late May/June followed by red berries which later turn purple. If you are not so fond of the stiff candle-like blooms of the common Laurel I am sure you will favour the more eye-catching flowers of the Portuguese Laurel.

Our Portuguese Laurel did not bloom last year. I am hoping it was just a settling in thing. In the meantime I have broken my rule and used a google stock picture. Hopefully I will get the chance to replace this very fine photo come Summer.

Below is a picture of the Laurel taken in late Summer. It does need to fill in a bit but I am loath to do any pruning until I find out if it is going to bloom this coming Summer. If it doesn’t, I reckon it is simply because I have positioned it where it isn’t getting quite enough sunshine.

fully hardy throughout the UK

You can leave it to grow and it will eventually be a tree of about 30 feet, or it can be kept in check with regular pruning.

Portugues