About this product

Cherry Laurel 'Rotundifolia'

Prunus laurocerasus 'Rotundifolia'

Supplied as a 50–60cm plant in a 5L container

Plant Highlights: Dense evergreen foliage • Fast-growing screening shrub • Large glossy dark green leaves • White spring flower spikes • Excellent for hedging and privacy

Overview

Cherry Laurel 'Rotundifolia' (Prunus laurocerasus 'Rotundifolia') is a vigorous evergreen shrub renowned for its broad, glossy dark green foliage and naturally dense, upright growth. One of the most widely planted hedging shrubs in Ireland, it quickly forms an attractive year-round screen, providing privacy, shelter and lasting garden structure. In mid to late spring, upright racemes of small white flowers appear above the foliage, followed by glossy black berries in late summer and autumn.

Highly adaptable, 'Rotundifolia' grows well in full sun, partial shade and even deep shade. It tolerates a wide range of soil types provided they are well drained, making it an excellent choice for formal clipped hedges, boundary planting, windbreaks and large evergreen screens. Its vigorous growth allows new hedges to establish quickly while responding well to regular trimming for a neat, dense finish.

Why We Love It

• Creates a dense evergreen hedge for year-round privacy and shelter.

• Large, glossy foliage provides a lush, substantial appearance throughout the seasons.

• Fast-growing and easy to maintain with regular clipping.

• Performs reliably in sun, partial shade and shaded gardens.

• Spring flowers provide nectar for pollinating insects before ornamental berries develop later in the year.

Plant Details

Growing Guide

Position

Plant in full sun, partial shade or shade. Cherry Laurel is exceptionally adaptable and performs well in both sheltered and exposed gardens once established.

Watering

Water regularly during the first growing season to help establish a deep root system. Once established, additional watering is usually only required during prolonged dry spells, although container-grown plants should be checked more frequently.

Soil

Grow in fertile, moist but well-drained soil. It adapts readily to clay, loam and sandy soils, provided prolonged waterlogging is avoided, particularly during winter.

Hardiness and Winter Care

Fully hardy throughout most of Ireland (RHS H6). Established plants cope well with winter conditions, while newly planted shrubs benefit from mulching and consistent watering during their first season. Container-grown plants may require occasional protection during periods of exceptionally severe frost.

Routine Care

Trim once or twice each year, ideally after flowering in late spring and again in late summer if required, to maintain a dense, tidy hedge. Remove any dead, damaged or crossing branches as part of routine maintenance.

Perfect For

• Evergreen privacy hedges.

• Boundary planting and year-round screening.

• Windbreaks in larger gardens.

• Woodland edges and shaded boundaries.

• Large structural planting schemes.

Good to Know

All parts of Prunus laurocerasus, including the leaves, seeds and berries, are harmful if ingested by people or pets. Wear gloves if you have sensitive skin when pruning, and dispose of prunings responsibly. Ensure the botanical name is listed as Prunus laurocerasus 'Rotundifolia', as 'Rotundifolia' is a cultivar of Cherry Laurel and should not be confused with Portuguese Laurel (Prunus lusitanica).

Product Information

• Supplied as a 50–60cm plant.

• Grown in a 5L container.

• Evergreen shrub.

• Suitable for hedging, screening, boundary planting and windbreaks.