Prunus lusitanica 'Angustifolia'

Prunus lusitanica 'Angustifolia' (Portuguese Laurel) – 40–50cm Plant in 5 Litre Pot

Plant Highlights: Dense evergreen foliage all year • Narrow leaves with attractive dark green colour • Excellent for hedging and screening • Responds well to clipping • Reliable structure for formal and informal gardens

Overview

Prunus lusitanica 'Angustifolia', commonly known as Portuguese Laurel, is a refined evergreen shrub prized for its dense habit, glossy narrow green leaves and striking dark red young stems. It makes an excellent hedge, creating an attractive year-round screen that is both elegant and easy to maintain. Its naturally neat growth also allows it to be grown as an individual specimen or incorporated into mixed shrub borders.

Hardy and adaptable, Portuguese Laurel performs well in many Irish gardens and is valued for its ability to form a dense, long-lasting hedge with regular trimming.

Plant Details

Growing Guide

Plant in full sun or partial shade in well-drained soil enriched with organic matter. Water regularly during the first growing season to help establish a strong root system, particularly during dry periods. Once established, Portuguese Laurel is relatively tolerant of short dry spells but performs best with consistent soil moisture.

Trim once or twice a year to maintain a neat hedge, ideally in late spring or late summer. For the cleanest finish and to minimise damage to the foliage, use secateurs rather than hedge trimmers where practical.

Why We Love It

Portuguese Laurel offers a more refined appearance than many evergreen hedging plants, thanks to its smaller glossy leaves and contrasting red stems. It creates an excellent year-round backdrop for garden planting while providing privacy and shelter with a smart, natural appearance.

Good to Know

If left unclipped, plants produce fragrant white flower spikes that are followed by small dark berries on mature shrubs. The berries are attractive to birds, although all parts of the plant should be regarded as not edible for people or pets.

Product Information

• Supplied as a 40–50cm plant in a 5 Litre pot
• Evergreen hedging shrub
• Best grown in full sun or partial shade
• Ideal for hedging, screening and specimen planting
• Dense evergreen foliage provides year-round privacy and structure