Portugal Laurel

Portuguese laurel is the broadleaf evergreen that does everything cherry laurel does, dense screen, glossy foliage, shade tolerance, without the invasiveness problem. The leaves are smaller and more refined than cherry laurel, dark green and glossy on red petioles, giving the plant a cleaner, more elegant texture. In early summer, long racemes of small, fragrant white flowers appear, followed by small dark fruits. Native to the Iberian Peninsula, the Canary Islands, and the Azores, it grows ten to twenty feet with a dense, upright habit.

In Western Washington, Portuguese laurel is the recommended replacement for cherry laurel in new hedge and screen plantings. It shears well, stays dense, tolerates sun to part shade, and adapts to the range of soils common to residential sites. It grows somewhat slower than cherry laurel, which is actually an advantage, less frequent pruning. No significant disease or pest concerns are tracked, and it does not carry the invasiveness concerns that have made cherry laurel problematic in the region. For a dense, evergreen, refined hedge or screen that performs without creating ecological problems, Portuguese laurel is the better choice.