Everlasting, easy to care for and beautiful, Portuguese laurel on trunk
Portuguese cherry laurel (Prunus lusitanica) is a grateful evergreen deciduous shrub. The plants are characterised by their dense, compact and broad-bushy growth. This makes them just as attractive as balcony plants as they are free-standing in the garden.
Äußere Merkmale
The intensely red coloured stems, twigs and shoots, the rich red-brown coloured bark and glowing, deep-green, leathery, elliptical-lanceolate leaves, which reach a length of up to 12 centimetres, make it aesthetically pleasing.
Blooms and fruits
Portuguese laurel on trunk flowers from May to July with pleasantly fragrant white flowers arranged in clusters that attract many insects. The decorative black drupes, which the plant produces from September onwards, grow to a length of one centimetre.
For which garden style is the plant suitable?
The plant is an all-rounder that suits any garden style, whether classic, rural or modern, whether planted out as a single specimen or as a pot plant to enrich your balcony plants and patio plants.
Planting out or planting on?
Portuguese cherry laurel is suitable as a pot plant and can be planted in the ground. The container-grown plants available in this country can be planted all year round, but too much summer heat and frozen ground are taboo. As a foliage plant, the shrub enriches the selection of balcony plants or patio plants.
Location and care
The plant tolerates almost any soil and most locations. Ideally, it appreciates sunny to semi-shady locations, well-drained, nutrient-rich soil and a regular and sufficient water supply. Watering should take place from April to August. Watering is advisable from March to October, mulching from November to December.
Fast growth
In its natural growth habit, Portuguese cherry laurel can reach several metres in height under optimal site and soil conditions, maintaining its height on the trunk. As a topiary, the plants, which are well tolerant of pruning, should be regularly and severely pruned back. Ideally, pruning should take place between February and March.
A plant that harmonises with other shrubs
The Portuguese cherry laurel harmonises well with many other popular perennials and shrubs such as summer lilac, dogwoods, pearl bush, spireas and weigelias, whether as patio plants, balcony plants or planted out in the garden.
&Overwinter
The plants have their natural home in south-western Europe and are winter-hardy to a certain extent in the central European climate. As a cold plant, they should be protected from frost by wrapping them in garden fleece, coconut matting or insulating film. Portuguese cherry laurel can withstand temperatures as low as -12°C without further measures.
Tip:
Watering the plant infrequently, extensively and thoroughly allows its roots to penetrate deeper soil layers. This makes the plant better able to withstand longer periods of drought.
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