Scientific name: Prunus lusitanica
Family: ROSACEAE
Common names: “Portugal laurel” “cherry bay” “Portuguese laurel cherry”
Plant Type: Evergreen shrub or small tree
Conditions:
Zone: 7-9
Light: Full sun – semi shade
Exposure: Exposed, takes wind, heat, seaside
Soil: Average, thrives on poor, shallow, chalky soils
Moisture: Moist well drained – drought tolerant
Aesthetic:
Plant Size: 10′-30′ H & W
Leaf and Stem shape: Dark red shoots bearing deep green ovate leaves.
Flower: Small, fragrant white flowers in racemes, in early summer, followed by small, dark purple fruits
Pruning: Can be cut back hard, rejuvenation pruning almost to trunk
Maintenance: Low
Landscape use: Hedging and screens
Propagate: By cuttings, birds spread the seed
Pests & Disease: Caterpillars
Comments: Tough, but overplanted, ~AGM winner
Cultivars: P. l. ‘Myrtifolia’ – ~AGM winner
Vancouver Island Grows 