Name: Prunus lusitanica (Portugese laurel)
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Prunus lusitanica (Portugese laurel)

A dense, evergreen shrub or small tree prized for its glossy, dark green leaves and elegant, bushy growth. Commonly used for hedging and screening, it provides year-round privacy and structure in gardens. Hardy and adaptable, Portuguese laurel is resistant to drought and pollution, making it an excellent choice for urban and coastal environments.

British Native

Grown From Seed or Cutting

Soil Stabilisation

Flood Resistant

Drought Tolerant

Drought Resistant

Nitrogen Fixing

Evergreen

Family of Trees: Rosaceae

Habit: Shrub, Suitable for Hedging

Growth Rate: 20 to 30 cm/year

Optimal Temperature: 10-20°C, hardy to -10°C

Harmful if Eaten?: Toxic Leaves and Berries

Flowers or Berries: Small White Flowers, Red Berries that Ripen to Black

Hardiness: H5-H6 (Very Hardy)

Hardiness ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

○ H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
○ H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
○ H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
○ H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
○ H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
○ H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
○ H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
○ H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
○ H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)