Prunus l. Angustifolia Root Ball 50-60cm Topiary Ball

Cherry Laurel (Prunus laurocerasus 'Angustifolia') – Narrow-Leaved, Elegant Evergreen for Hedging & Screening

Prunus laurocerasus 'Angustifolia', a distinctive cultivar of the well-loved Cherry Laurel, sets itself apart from broader-leaved relatives with its narrower, more refined foliage and a naturally upright, slender habit. Where the species can sometimes appear coarse and bulky, 'Angustifolia' brings a more elegant, restrained character — making it an appealing choice for gardeners who want the toughness and evergreen reliability of cherry laurel in a more graceful, manageable form.

Vigorous, adaptable, and fully hardy, this cultivar delivers dense, year-round coverage with minimal fuss. In spring, it produces the characteristic upright racemes of small, fragrant white flowers typical of the species, followed by dark berries that provide welcome sustenance for birds. Whether planted as a formal clipped hedge, an informal screen, or a bold structural shrub, 'Angustifolia' proves itself a hardworking and handsome garden plant in equal measure.

Key Features

• Evergreen cultivar with narrower, more refined leaves than the typical Cherry Laurel

• Naturally upright habit — well suited to tighter spaces and formal hedging

• Fragrant white flower spikes in spring, followed by wildlife-friendly dark berries

• Highly tolerant of shade, urban pollution, and a wide range of soils

• Tough, fast-growing, and low maintenance once established

Growing Conditions

Position: Prunus laurocerasus 'Angustifolia' is highly accommodating in terms of light. It performs well in full sun, partial shade, or even quite deep shade, making it one of the more versatile choices for difficult spots — including north-facing boundaries, positions beneath tree canopies, or exposed urban gardens. In sunnier spots, foliage tends to be lusher and growth more vigorous.

Soil: Tolerant of most soil types, including clay, chalk, loam, and sandy ground, provided drainage is reasonably good. It prefers a moist, fertile growing medium but copes well in drier conditions once properly established. Avoid permanently waterlogged sites, which can lead to root problems over time.

Hardiness: Fully hardy throughout the UK and much of Northern Europe, withstanding hard frosts without significant damage. Established plants are robust in exposed and windy positions alike.

Habit & Appearance

Foliage: The defining characteristic of this cultivar is its narrower, lance-shaped leaves — glossy, leathery, and a rich mid- to dark green. The more slender leaf gives the plant a lighter, less dominating appearance than broader cherry laurel cultivars, while still providing excellent density and coverage. New growth flushes bright green in spring, adding a pleasing seasonal contrast.

Flowers & Fruit: In mid to late spring, upright racemes of small, sweetly scented white flowers appear along the stems, often going unnoticed but appreciated up close. These give way to small, cherry-like fruits that ripen from red to deep purple-black in autumn — an attractive and valuable food source for blackbirds and other garden birds.

Ultimate Size: Left unpruned, 'Angustifolia' will develop into a large, upright shrub reaching 4–6m in height, with a naturally more columnar silhouette than many other cherry laurel cultivars. Growth rates are vigorous — typically 30–50cm per year in good conditions — but the plant responds very well to regular trimming and can easily be maintained at a chosen height and width over the long term.

Care & Pruning

Watering: Water consistently throughout the first growing season to help the plant develop a strong, deep root system. Once settled, 'Angustifolia' becomes notably drought-tolerant and largely self-sufficient in average UK conditions. During prolonged dry spells, newly planted specimens will benefit from occasional deep watering at the root zone.

Feeding: Apply a balanced general-purpose fertiliser in early spring to support healthy, vigorous growth — particularly useful in poorer or free-draining soils. An annual mulch of well-rotted organic matter around the base helps retain moisture, suppress weeds, and gradually enrich the soil.

Pruning: For formal hedging or screening, trim once or twice a year — ideally in late spring after flowering, with a second pass in late summer if a tighter finish is desired. Where possible, use sharp secateurs rather than powered shears to avoid cutting through the large leaves, which can cause browning at the cut edges and an untidy appearance. Grown as a free-standing shrub, very little pruning is required — simply remove any dead, damaged, or awkwardly placed branches in late spring to maintain a tidy, open framework. If an established plant becomes overgrown or leggy, cherry laurel responds well to hard renovation pruning, shooting vigorously from old wood.

Pests & Disease: Generally robust and trouble-free. As with other cherry laurels, it may occasionally show signs of shot hole — a fungal condition that causes small holes to appear in the leaves —