Prunus lusitanica 'Angustifolia' Ball

Prunus lusitanica 'Angustifolia'

15L pot • Ball form • Supplied with a 40–50cm head

Plant Highlights: Neatly clipped evergreen ball • Glossy narrow foliage • Attractive reddish stems • Excellent architectural feature • Low-maintenance topiary

Overview

Prunus lusitanica 'Angustifolia', commonly known as Portuguese Laurel, is an elegant evergreen shrub with slender, glossy dark green leaves carried on distinctive reddish stems. This specimen has been professionally trained and clipped into a formal ball, providing year-round structure and a refined architectural feature for gardens, patios and entrances.

Unlike naturally grown shrubs, this topiary form is maintained for its clean, rounded outline, making it ideal for formal planting schemes and contemporary designs. Mature plants may produce clusters of fragrant white flowers in late spring to early summer if clipping is reduced, followed by small dark berries, although regular trimming for shape usually limits flowering.

Why We Love It

• Professionally clipped ball form creates instant structure.
• Fine evergreen foliage provides year-round interest.
• Rich green leaves contrast beautifully with red stems.
• Ideal for framing entrances, paths and patios.
• Responds well to regular clipping to maintain its shape.

Plant Details

Growing Guide

Position

Plant in full sun or partial shade. Suitable for sheltered or moderately exposed sites where its formal shape can be appreciated.

Watering

Water regularly during the first growing season to establish a strong root system. Continue to monitor container-grown specimens carefully, watering whenever the compost begins to dry.

Soil

Grow in fertile, moisture-retentive but well-drained soil. Incorporating organic matter at planting helps retain moisture while improving drainage.

Hardiness and Winter Care

Fully hardy in most Irish gardens. Apply a mulch around the base after planting to conserve moisture and suppress weeds, taking care not to cover the stem.

Routine Care

Trim once or twice during the growing season to maintain the neat ball shape. Remove any shoots growing from below the ball or from the base of the plant to preserve the trained form.

Perfect For

• Formal gardens.
• Entranceways and doorways.
• Patio containers.
• Courtyard gardens.
• Architectural planting and symmetrical displays.

Good to Know

The stated 40–50cm measurement refers to the diameter of the clipped ball supplied at the time of sale, not the plant's mature size. Regular trimming will maintain its compact topiary form for many years.

Product Information

• Botanical name: Prunus lusitanica 'Angustifolia'
• Trained as a ball topiary.
• Supplied in a 15L nursery pot.
• Supplied with an approximately 40–50cm diameter head.