Laurel

Prunus laurocerasus Rotundifolia

• Position: full sun, partial shade or shade
• Soil: moist but well-drained soil, except shallow chalk
• Rate of growth: fast-growing
• Flowering period: April
• Flower colour: white
• Other features: a very versatile hedging shrub
• Hardiness: fully hardy
  
  Dense, bushy, evergreen shrub with large glossy, dark green leaves. It makes an excellent hedging plant, and can cope with deep shade under trees was well as full sun. Small white flowers are produced on spikes in mid-spring, followed by cherry red berries which are harmful if eaten.
  
  
• Garden care: When planting incorporate lots of well-rotted garden compost in the planting hole and stake firmly. Prune in either spring or summer. Mature plants can tolerate hard pruning in spring, cutting back to the old wood.
  
  
• Goes well with: Betula utilis var. jacquemontii 'Grayswood Ghost', Viburnum sargentii 'Onondaga', Choisya ternata 'Sundance', Cornus sanguinea 'Midwinter Fire', Daphne mezereum f. alba, Euphorbia griffithii 'Fireglow'