English Laurel (Prunus laurocerasus): Care, Varieties, and Uses

Quick Overview

English Laurel, also known as cherry laurel, is a broadleaf evergreen shrub widely used for privacy hedges and landscape screening. Native to Europe and Asia Minor, and adaptable to similar climates in Asia, its dense foliage, fast growth rate, and adaptability make it one of the most popular evergreen screening plants in California landscapes.

The scientific name for English laurel is Prunus laurocerasus. It belongs to the cherry family and is valued primarily as a fast-growing privacy screen for residential yards, commercial landscapes, and property borders. English laurel thrives in a variety of garden settings and is especially valued for providing excellent privacy.

Because it remains evergreen year-round, English laurel provides consistent coverage, wind buffering, and visual privacy in every season. Its dense growth habit also blocks noise and creates secluded outdoor spaces, making it ideal for gardens and yards.

Taxonomy and Genus Prunus

English laurel belongs to the genus Prunus, which includes cherries, plums, peaches, apricots, and ornamental flowering trees, and is often planted alongside aromatic species like culinary bay laurel (Laurus nobilis). Within this large plant group, Prunus laurocerasus is classified as an evergreen shrub or small tree.

Although commonly called a “laurel,” English laurel is not a true laurel species. Instead, it is more closely related to ornamental cherries and fruiting cherry trees.

The botanical pronunciation for Prunus laurocerasus is:

PROO-nus lor-oh-ser-AY-sus

This species has been cultivated in European and Mediterranean gardens for centuries due to its dense foliage and formal hedge appearance, and it originates from regions in Europe and Asia Minor.

Prunus laurocerasus Details

English laurel typically reaches mature heights of 15 to 30 feet tall with widths ranging from 10 to 20 feet, depending on pruning and growing conditions. When left untrimmed, it can develop into a large screening shrub or compact tree.

Its most recognizable feature is its large, leathery, and glossy dark green foliage measuring 4 to 7 inches long, which creates a lush and dense appearance throughout the year. The leaves are thick and highly effective at blocking views and reducing noise.

In spring, English laurel produces fragrant cream-colored clusters of flowers that attract pollinating bees. These blooms are followed by small, cherry-like dark berries. The fruit is favored by birds in late summer and provides food for wildlife.

Additional key characteristics include:

• Excellent screening density

• Strong tolerance for coastal conditions

• Moderate salt tolerance

• Adaptability to sun or partial shade

• Reliable performance in California landscapes

Because of its durability and fast establishment, English laurel has remained a staple hedge plant in residential and commercial landscapes for decades.

Growth Rate and Fast Growing Habits

English laurel is considered a fast-growing evergreen hedge plant. Under ideal conditions, it can grow 2 to 3 feet per year, especially during the first several growing seasons, similar to Indian Laurel (Ficus nitida) used for privacy screens. English laurel can add 2 to 3 feet of height annually once established and can reach heights of 15 to 30 feet if unchecked.

While this rapid growth is ideal for creating quick privacy, it can also become difficult to manage without regular pruning. Homeowners often underestimate the mature size of English laurel and plant it too close to structures or walkways. This shrub can grow up to 40 feet tall if unpruned, but is typically maintained at 10 to 12 feet for effective privacy screening. English laurel is usually pruned to keep it at a manageable height and shape for hedges.

For hedge installations, typical spacing recommendations include:

• 3 to 6 feet apart for establishing a hedge to allow proper air circulation

• 6 to 10 feet apart for natural screening rows

• Wider spacing for tree-form growth

Long-term planning is important because mature plants can become very large over time. Allow enough room for root expansion, airflow, and maintenance access before planting. Regular annual pruning is necessary to maintain the size and shape of English laurel, and its aggressive growth can make it invasive in certain regions, requiring consistent pruning to prevent spreading.

Cherry Laurel Comparison

The terms “English laurel” and “cherry laurel” are often used interchangeably, though some nurseries use “cherry laurel” more broadly to describe multiple related cultivars or even species like Indian laurel (Ficus microcarpa).

Compared to smaller cherry laurel varieties like Carolina cherry laurel (Prunus caroliniana), standard English laurel generally has:

• Larger leaves

• Faster vertical growth

• Broader mature spread

• Taller hedge potential

Flowering characteristics can also vary between cultivars, with some producing more fragrant blooms or denser flower spikes.

One important consideration is toxicity. Like many species within the Prunus genus, English laurel contains compounds that can be toxic if ingested by pets, livestock, or humans. Fallen berries and leaves should not be consumed.

Birds, however, commonly feed on the fruit without issue and often help spread seeds naturally, much like they do on Indian Laurel Trees (Ficus microcarpa) in warmer regions.

‘Otto Luyken’ English Laurel (Otto Luyken)

Otto Luyken is a compact dwarf form of English laurel that is highly popular in smaller landscapes.

Unlike standard English laurel, Otto Luyken typically matures at:

• 3 to 4 feet tall

• 6 to 8 feet wide

Its lower growth habit makes it ideal for:

• Small gardens

• Foundation planting

• Patio containers

• Low evergreen hedges

• Accent borders

Otto Luyken also produces attractive upright white flowers in spring with a pleasant fragrance that attracts pollinators.

Because of its manageable size and refined appearance, it is often preferred for modern California landscape designs where space is limited.

Formal Hedge Uses and Pruning

English laurel is one of the best evergreen species for formal hedge applications. Its dense branching structure responds exceptionally well to shaping and repeated trimming.

For tight property boundaries and clean architectural lines, formal hedging provides:

• Maximum privacy

• Wind reduction

• Noise buffering

• Visual structure

The best time to prune English laurel is typically late spring through early summer after flowering.

For dense formal screens:

• Shear 2 to 3 times annually

• Avoid aggressive late-fall pruning

• Remove interior deadwood periodically

• Maintain wider hedge bases for sunlight penetration

Clean shearing tools are essential for healthy foliage. Recommended tools include:

• Sharp hedge trimmers

• Bypass hand pruners

• Electric or battery hedge shears for large hedges

Avoid tearing leaves with dull blades, as damaged foliage can discolor and create a less refined appearance.

Planting and Care 

Successful English laurel planting in California begins with proper soil preparation. English laurel prefers free-draining soil and thrives in a variety of soil types, including sandy, loamy, and clay soils. Most California yards benefit from loosening compacted soil and incorporating organic compost before planting.

Recommended planting steps include:

1. Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball

2. Keep planting depth level with the existing nursery soil line

3. Avoid burying the crown too deeply

4. Backfill with native soil mixed with compost

5. Apply mulch while keeping it away from the trunk

After planting, mulch with a 2-to-3-inch layer of organic mulch to preserve moisture and suppress weeds around English laurel plants.

During establishment, watering consistency is critical. Young English laurel plants require consistent moisture, but once established, they are drought-tolerant and rarely need irrigation outside of extended dry spells. English laurel thrives in environments ranging from full sun to heavy shade and adapts well to poor clay or sandy soils. It is hardy across USDA zones 6–9 and is fairly drought-resistant once its root system establishes. The English laurel is drought-resistant, making it a popular choice for hedging in sunnier climates throughout the U.S., and is more drought-resistant than many other shrub varieties. This shrub prefers more direct sunlight in cooler climates but benefits from some shade in hotter regions, demonstrating its adaptability to various environments.

Recommended Watering Schedule

• Water deeply 2 to 3 times weekly during the first summer

• Reduce frequency as roots establish

• Transition to deep infrequent watering after establishment

• Monitor irrigation closely during California heat waves

Spring fertilization is typically best performed between February and April using a balanced slow-release fertilizer formulated for evergreen shrubs.

For professionally grown screening plants, hedge installations, and privacy solutions, visit Yardwork’s nursery for evergreen privacy trees and shrubs or Request A Consultation to plan your project with experienced landscape professionals.

Problems, Pests, and Disease

English laurel is generally durable but can experience several common issues.

Shot Hole Fungus

One of the most common diseases is shot hole fungus, which causes small holes and spotting in leaves. Good airflow and avoiding overhead watering can help reduce fungal pressure.

Leaf Scorch

In extreme inland heat, especially during Southern California summers, English laurel may develop leaf scorch or browning along leaf edges. Consistent deep watering and mulch help reduce stress.

Pests

Monitor plants regularly for:

• Scale insects

• Aphids

• Spider mites

• Borers on stressed plants

Early treatment and proper plant health management usually prevent severe infestations.

Landscape Ideas and Alternatives

English laurel works exceptionally well when layered with lower shrubs and ornamental plants sourced from a diverse online tree and shrub nursery for a more natural privacy design.

Popular layered combinations include:

• Boxwood borders

• Dwarf grasses

• Flowering perennials

• Compact evergreen shrubs

For immediate short-term privacy while hedges mature, temporary vine screens and trellis systems can be installed between young plants.

In smaller yards, consider alternatives such as evergreen options like Fern Pine (Podocarpus gracilior) hedges:

• Compact podocarpus

• Wax leaf privet

• Pittosporum cultivars

• Dwarf laurels

• Clumping bamboo varieties

These alternatives may offer easier maintenance in narrow side yards and urban landscapes, and fast-growing columnar options such as Indian Laurel Ficus hedges can provide similar privacy with a different foliage texture.

Buying, Delivery, and Ordering Guidance

English laurel is commonly available in multiple nursery sizes, including:

• 5-gallon containers

• 15-gallon screening plants

• 24-inch box specimens

• Large field-grown privacy hedges

Larger sizes provide faster screening but require more installation planning and irrigation support.

Yardwork’s Los Angeles plant nursery, offers free shipping within California on qualifying orders over $600, making bulk hedge installations more cost-effective.

Wholesale ordering may also be available for landscape contractors and large residential projects exceeding $5,000.

Before ordering, consider requesting a professional soil test or landscape consultation to ensure proper plant selection, irrigation planning, and spacing recommendations for your property.