Portuguese Laurel (Prunus lusitanica 'Myrtifolia') – Elegant, Hardy Evergreen for Screening, Hedging & Specimen Planting
Prunus lusitanica 'Myrtifolia', commonly known as Portuguese Laurel, is one of the most refined and versatile evergreen shrubs or small trees available to gardeners. With its neat, dark green leaves, attractive red-flushed stems, and naturally dense, upright habit, it strikes a perfect balance between formal elegance and easy-going reliability — making it equally at home as a clipped hedge, a shaped topiary specimen, or a freestanding garden tree.
More restrained in growth than the common Cherry Laurel, 'Myrtifolia' is especially valued for its manageable size and tidy appearance with minimal intervention. It is also notably more tolerant of chalky soils and exposed, coastal positions, broadening its appeal considerably. Fragrant white flower racemes in early summer add seasonal charm, followed by small dark fruits that birds find irresistible.
Key Features
Handsome evergreen shrub or small tree with deep green, glossy foliage and distinctive red stems
Naturally compact and dense — ideal for formal hedging, topiary, or specimen planting
Fragrant white flower spikes in early summer, followed by wildlife-friendly dark fruits
Tolerates chalk, clay, coastal exposure, and urban pollution
More restrained growth than Cherry Laurel — easier to keep at a desired size
Fully hardy across the UK and much of Northern Europe
Growing Conditions
Position: Prunus lusitanica 'Myrtifolia' thrives in full sun or partial shade and adapts well to a wide range of aspects, including exposed or coastal locations where many evergreens struggle. It performs best with some shelter from the coldest, desiccating winter winds, though its hardiness is excellent. It is less tolerant of deep, dense shade than Cherry Laurel, so a reasonably open or lightly shaded position will bring out the best in its foliage and flowering.
Soil: Remarkably accommodating across a broad range of soil types, including chalk, clay, loam, and sandy soils, provided drainage is reasonable. Unlike many Prunus species, Portuguese Laurel performs particularly well on alkaline and chalky ground — a significant advantage over Cherry Laurel in lime-rich gardens. Avoid permanently waterlogged conditions, which can lead to root problems.
Hardiness: Fully hardy throughout the UK and most of Northern Europe. Established plants withstand hard frosts without significant damage, and the evergreen foliage holds its colour and condition reliably through winter.
Habit & Appearance
Foliage: The leaves of 'Myrtifolia' are smaller and more refined than those of the common Cherry Laurel — oval to lance-shaped, deep glossy green on the upper surface, with attractive red petioles (leaf stalks) that provide a subtle but eye-catching contrast against the dark foliage. The overall effect is neat, polished, and year-round. New growth emerges with a fresh mid-green flush before maturing to its characteristic deep tone.
Flowers & Fruit: In early to midsummer, established plants produce slender, erect racemes of small, creamy-white flowers with a sweet, delicate fragrance — a pleasing feature that sets Portuguese Laurel apart from many screening plants. These are followed in autumn by small fruits that ripen from red to deep purple-black, proving popular with a range of garden birds.
Ultimate Size: Left to grow freely, Portuguese Laurel 'Myrtifolia' will develop into a large shrub or small multi-stemmed tree of 4–6m, with an open, branching crown that becomes particularly graceful with age. Growth is moderate — typically 20–40cm per year — making it considerably more manageable than faster-growing alternatives. It responds very well to clipping and can be maintained as a formal hedge or shaped specimen at a much smaller size indefinitely.
Care & Pruning
Watering: Water regularly throughout the first growing season to support establishment and encourage a strong root system. Once settled in, Portuguese Laurel is pleasingly drought-tolerant and rarely requires supplemental watering under typical UK conditions. A generous mulch around the base at planting will help retain soil moisture and reduce stress in drier spells.
Feeding: An annual application of a balanced, slow-release fertiliser in early spring will support healthy growth and maintain the richness of the foliage. In poorer or very chalky soils, incorporating organic matter at planting and topping up with a mulch each year will make a meaningful difference to establishment speed and vigour.
Pruning: For use as a formal hedge or shaped specimen, trim once or twice a year — ideally in late spring, after flowering, and again in late summer if a tighter finish is required. The smaller leaf size of 'Myrtifolia' means it responds well to shears and gives a cleaner, less ragged finish than the large-leaved Cherry Laurel after trimming. When growing as a freestanding shrub or small tree, very little pruning is needed — simply remove any dead, crossing, or awkwardly placed branches in
