Prunus lusitanica 'Angustifolia'

Common name: Portuguese Laurel 'Angustifolia'

Description: This elegant evergreen shrub or small tree is a refined variety of Portuguese laurel, featuring narrow, dark green leaves that are more slender and pointed than the species. The glossy foliage is held on attractive red stems, creating a pleasing contrast throughout the year. In early summer, the plant produces upright racemes of small, fragrant white flowers that have a sweet, hawthorn-like scent. These are followed by small cherry-like fruits that ripen from red to dark purple-black in autumn. 'Angustifolia' has a naturally dense, conical habit and responds exceptionally well to clipping, making it ideal for formal hedging, topiary, or as a specimen plant. Its compact growth and neat appearance make it particularly suitable for smaller gardens where the larger species might be overwhelming. The plant provides excellent structure and year-round screening.

Other benefits: excellent for formal hedging and topiary, year-round structure and screening, fragrant flowers, tolerates coastal conditions, pollution tolerant, low maintenance once established

Wildlife attraction: bees, butterflies, pollinators; berries attract birds in autumn

Height & spread (approx.) at 10 years: 3m x 1.5m (can be kept smaller with regular clipping)

Position: adaptable to full sun to full shade; performs well in most aspects; tolerates exposed and coastal sites

Soil pH: very adaptable; thrives in neutral to slightly acid conditions; tolerates alkaline soils

Moisture: moderate watering required; drought tolerant once established; prefers well-drained soil but adaptable to most conditions

Winter hardiness: fully hardy to -15°C