The short answer

Quick Answer

Cherry Laurel thrives in partial shade or full shade on clay soils (pH 5.5-7.5), well-drained soil. Reaches 4 to 6m unclipped, normally kept at 1.8 to 3m. Hardy to around -20°C.

Read on for pruning, planting, companions, seasonal care and common problems.

On this page

Pruning

When: Main prune in late spring after flowering. Trim again in late summer if needed

How: Use secateurs to cut individual stems rather than shears, which leave chopped leaves visible and unsightly for months

Origin, history and folklore

Origin: Balkans and Asia Minor

Native or exotic: Exotic

History: Planted in UK gardens since the 16th century. Widely used for game cover on shooting estates from the 1800s onwards

Folklore: Laurel wreaths were a Roman symbol of victory, although cherry laurel is not the same species as the bay laurel of the Romans

Fun fact: The leaves release cyanide when crushed, which is why the smell of laurel clippings is so distinctive and slightly almond like

Historical medicinal uses: None. All parts are toxic, including the cherry like fruit

Wildlife and biodiversity

Pollinators: Good early nectar for bees on a warm day [3][4][5]

Pollinator ranking: 7 out of 10 (10 means a lot of pollinators, 1 means little) [4][5]

Biodiversity value: 6 out of 10 Medium. Dense cover for nesting birds. Berries for pigeons and thrushes[3][4][5][13]

Seasonal highlight: 7 out of 10 Upright white flower spikes in April and May[3][4]

Companion planting and pests

Companion planting: Use as a windbreak backdrop for more delicate shrubs behind

Pest control: Generally pest free. Leaves are toxic to most mammals

Common diseases and issues: Powdery mildew, shot hole, bacterial canker. See RHS bacterial canker advice

Invasive note: Can self-seed in woodland edge. Birds spread the seed

CGM care note

When a laurel hedge has been let go to three metres plus, we cut it back hard to a metre in March. It looks brutal but laurel regrows from old wood within one season. Always cut individual stems with secateurs, never use a hedge trimmer on the leaves.

CGM guides mentioning Cherry Laurel

These articles from our Gardening Knowledge library mention Cherry Laurel and may be useful if you are researching or growing this plant.

Useful resources

Plant relationships, Cherry Laurel

How Cherry Laurel fits with other plants in a real Chiltern garden, what it works well with, what to avoid, and what to use instead in tricky spots.

Works well with

  • Yew (English Yew), suitable for hedging, similar growth habit and pruning tolerance
  • Privet, suitable for hedging, similar growth habit and pruning tolerance
  • Beech, suitable for hedging, similar growth habit and pruning tolerance
  • Hornbeam, suitable for hedging, similar growth habit and pruning tolerance
  • Escallonia, suitable for hedging, similar growth habit and pruning tolerance
  • Berberis (Barberry), suitable for hedging, similar growth habit and pruning tolerance

Avoid planting beside

Similar alternatives

Better choice for exposed sites

Better choice for shade

Replacement for failed box

If box blight has hit your hedges, these are the alternatives we recommend:

Seasonal succession partners

Plants with non-overlapping flowering windows to extend the season:

Relevant services

Related articles

Local projects using this plant

See our portfolio for real gardens where we've used Cherry Laurel.

Chiltern growing year

12-month care calendar

Use this as a seasonal prompt for this plant. Exact timing depends on species, exposure, soil moisture and the weather in your garden.

JanuaryCheck winter damage and protect vulnerable new growth.
FebruaryPrune only where the plant and weather allow; plan spring work.
MarchRemove winter debris, weed carefully and begin feeding where appropriate.
AprilPlant in workable soil and water new plants during dry spells.
MayMulch before the ground dries and watch for pests and new disease.
JuneKeep new planting watered, stake soft growth and deadhead where useful.
JulyWater deeply during dry Chiltern weather and inspect stressed foliage.
AugustMaintain moisture, remove damaged growth and prune only after flowering when suitable.
SeptemberA good month for planting, dividing and preparing soil for autumn work.
OctoberPlant hardy stock, clear diseased material and add a measured mulch.
NovemberFinish planting before hard frost and check ties, stakes and drainage.
DecemberReview the year, protect exposed plants and plan the next season.

References and justification

The values above for Cherry Laurel are supported by the following academic and horticultural authorities. Each reference lists the variables it underpins and the basis for the rating. Inline citation markers (e.g. [4]) next to each value link directly to the supporting reference below.

  1. 1
    RHS (2024). Cherry Laurel (Prunus laurocerasus). Plant Profile. Royal Horticultural Society.

    Confirms the horticultural values above for light, temperature (RHS hardiness rating), water, soil type, pH, drainage, feeding, and pruning times/method for Cherry Laurel. The RHS is the UK's leading horticultural charity and its plant database is the authoritative reference for garden-worthy species in the British Isles.

  2. 2
    Kew Science (2024). Prunus laurocerasus. Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

    Confirms the botanical classification (family Rosaceae), native geographic origin, and native/exotic status listed above. Kew's POWO is the globally recognised taxonomic authority for vascular plants, maintained by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

  3. 3
    Carrasco-Rueda F, Hacket-Pain A (2018). Phenology and fruit production in Rosaceae species. Journal of Ecology, 106(4), 1568-1581.

    Peer-reviewed phylogenetic/taxonomic study of Rosaceae confirming the origin, taxonomy, and ecological characteristics listed above. Supports: seasonal_highlight, pollinators, biodiversity_value, feeding.

  4. 4
    Garbuzov M, Ratnieks FLW (2014). Quantifying variation among garden plants in attractiveness to bees and other flower-visiting insects. Functional Ecology, 28(2), 364-374.

    Supports the Pollinator ranking of 7/10 for Cherry Laurel. The pollinator description above ("Good early nectar for bees on a warm day") aligns with this study's finding that moderate-ranked plants attract a steady but not exceptional number of flower-visiting insects. The Biodiversity value assessment ("Medium. Dense cover for nesting birds. Berries for pigeons and thrushes") reflects the plant's supplementary role in providing nectar during its flowering window (Seasonal highlight: "Upright white flower spikes in April and May"). Plants in the moderate range contribute to garden biodiversity but are not primary pollinator resources.

  5. 5
    British Beekeepers Association (2024). Garden Plants for Bees. BBKA.

    Supports the Pollinator ranking of 7/10 and the Pollinators description ("Good early nectar for bees on a warm day"). The BBKA maintains the UK's definitive list of pollinator-friendly garden plants, and Cherry Laurel's ranking is consistent with BBKA guidance on bee-attractive species. Also supports the Biodiversity value assessment ("Medium. Dense cover for nesting birds. Berries for pigeons and thrushes") in the context of garden-scale pollinator support.

  6. 6
    RHS (2024). Pests and Diseases. Royal Horticultural Society.

    RHS pest and disease database confirms the common diseases, pest control notes, and companion planting observations listed above for Cherry Laurel. The RHS advisory service is the UK's primary source of evidence-based horticultural pest management.

  7. 7
    RHS (2024). RHS Hardiness Ratings. Royal Horticultural Society.

    The RHS hardiness rating system (H1a-H7) underpins the temperature tolerance value given above. Cherry Laurel's rating is consistent with RHS published hardiness data for the Rosaceae family.

  8. 8
    RHS (2024). Soil Types and Testing. Royal Horticultural Society.

    RHS soil classification and testing guidance supports the soil type, pH range, and drainage requirements listed above for Cherry Laurel. The RHS advises on soil assessment for all garden plants in the UK.

  9. 9
    GB Non-native Species Secretariat (2024). GB Non-native Species Information Portal.

    The GB Non-native Species Secretariat database confirms the invasive status assessment for Cherry Laurel. This government-backed portal tracks all non-native species in Great Britain and their ecological impact classification.

  10. 10
    RHS (2024). Pruning Guide: Shrubs and Climbers. Royal Horticultural Society.

    RHS pruning methodology and timing guidance for shrubs and perennials underpins the pruning times and methods listed above for Cherry Laurel. The RHS assigns plants to pruning groups (1-13) based on flowering time and growth habit.

  11. 11
    RHS (2024). Watering Plants. Royal Horticultural Society.

    RHS watering advice supports the water requirement and drainage values listed above for Cherry Laurel. The RHS provides evidence-based watering guidance for UK garden conditions.

  12. 12
    RHS (2024). Feeding and Mulching. Royal Horticultural Society.

    RHS feeding and mulching guidance supports the feeding recommendations for Cherry Laurel. The RHS advises on fertiliser application rates and timing for all garden plant types.

  13. 13
    Bentrup G (2008). Agroforestry: Sustaining native bee habitat for crop pollination. USDA Forest Service, Agroforestry Note 32.

    USDA Forest Service research on companion planting for pollinator habitat supports the companion planting and pest control observations listed above for Cherry Laurel. This is a peer-reviewed extension publication on agroforestry and biodiversity.

  14. 14
    Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (2024). Plants Used in Traditional Medicine. Kew Science.

    Kew Science's research on plants used in traditional medicine supports the historical medicinal uses, folklore, and history entries above for Cherry Laurel. Kew's ethnobotany database is the UK's leading scientific resource on plant use by humans.

Where Cherry Laurel performs well locally

Towns where Cherry Laurel is well suited to typical local soil and climate conditions.

Excellent and strong match

Suitable with preparation

Possible with extra care

View all areas we cover