Portuguese Laurel Tree | The Tree & Hedge Company

Soils

Portuguese laurel can adapt to most soil types that are not too dry or heavy.

Location

Portuguese laurel is frost hardy but sensitive to heat.

Annual Growth Rate

Portuguese laurel will usually grow 30cm per annum.

pH TOLERANCE

Portuguese laurel is adaptable and likes moist, well-drained garden soils, with pH levels from slightly acid through to alkaline.

Root Structure

Portuguese laurel has far-reaching fibrous lateral roots.

Potential

A good small garden tree. Protect from winds.

Annual Pruning

Portuguese laurel takes very well to being cut and can be kept as a small tree of topiary shaped specimen or hedge.

Characteristics

The Portuguese laurel is a small tree with dense glossy evergreen foliage with red branches. It is adaptable to most locations and soil types.

The Portuguese laurel can reach up to up to 10 metres tall with 5-6 metres spread of the crown when mature but can be maintained smaller.

Bark and branches are red, the leaves are evergreen, glossy dark green above and light green underneath, oblong shaped with serrated edges.

Fragrant creamy-white flowers appear in June as upright racemes, 12-20cm in length. Dark purple, oval stone fruits appear after flowering. The leaves and fruit of Portuguese laurel are poisonous.

Tip: Portuguese laurel is a good tree for a small garden. It takes well to being cut and can be pruned to shape and size. It is also successful as an evergreen hedge.