- Botanical name: Prunus laurocerasus 'Otto Luyken'
- Common name: Cherry laurel
- Family: Rosaceae
- Plant Type: Shrub, Evergreen
White
Green
- Key features:
- Attractive to wildlife
- Flowers
- Low maintenance plant
Cherry laurel, Prunus laurocerasus, is a dense, evergreen shrub with shiny and dark green leaves. In spring it bears upright, white flowers, followed by fruits in autumn that resemble cherries. These turn from red to black as they mature. The flowers are popular with bees and other pollinators, and birds eat the berries. Prunus laurocerasus has a reputation for being invasive in the UK and can become a thug in the garden.
Prunus laurocerasus ‘Otto Luyken’ is also known as ‘compact laurel’ as it only reaches a height and spread of 1m x 1.5m – it grows wider than it does high. It’s typically used to create a low, dense, evergreen hedge or low maintenance ground cover. It has the prestigious RHS Award of Garden Merit (AGM).
Prunus laurocerasus ‘Otto Luyken’ is a low maintenance plant, suitable for growing in a range of soils and situations – ideally, grow it in moist but well-drained soil, in sun or partial shade. It doesn’t need pruning, but you could trim established plants in late spring or early summer to keep them looking tidy. It’s a relatively slow grower, putting on 10-20cm of growth a year.
Buy and plant Prunus laurocerasus ‘Otto Luyken’plants as pot-grown plants all year round, or as bare-root plants during the dormant season (November to March).
Where to buy Prunus laurocerasus
This page contains affiliate links and we may receive a commission for purchases made. Please read our affiliates FAQ page to find out more.
How to grow Prunus laurocerasus 'Otto Luyken'
-
Plant size
100cm height
1.5m spread
-
Aspect
North facing, south facing, east facing, west facing
- Sun exposure: Dappled shade, full shade, full sun, partial shade
- Hardiness: Hardy
- Soil type: Acidic / clay / heavy / moist / well drained / light / sandy
Plant calendar
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plant | ||||||||||||
| Plant |
J
Do Plant in January |
F
Do Plant in February |
M
Do Plant in March |
A
Do Plant in April |
M
Do Plant in May |
J
Do Plant in June |
J
Do Plant in July |
A
Do Plant in August |
S
Do Plant in September |
O
Do Plant in October |
N
Do Plant in November |
D
Do Plant in December |
| Flowers | ||||||||||||
| Flowers |
J
Plant does not flower in January |
F
Plant does not flower in February |
M
Plant does flower in March |
A
Plant does flower in April |
M
Plant does not flower in May |
J
Plant does not flower in June |
J
Plant does not flower in July |
A
Plant does not flower in August |
S
Plant does not flower in September |
O
Plant does not flower in October |
N
Plant does not flower in November |
D
Plant does not flower in December |
| Fruits | ||||||||||||
| Fruits |
J
Plant does not fruit in January |
F
Plant does not fruit in February |
M
Plant does not fruit in March |
A
Plant does not fruit in April |
M
Plant does not fruit in May |
J
Plant does not fruit in June |
J
Plant does not fruit in July |
A
Plant does not fruit in August |
S
Plant does fruit in September |
O
Plant does fruit in October |
N
Plant does not fruit in November |
D
Plant does not fruit in December |
| Prune | ||||||||||||
| Prune |
J
Do not Prune in January |
F
Do not Prune in February |
M
Do not Prune in March |
A
Do Prune in April |
M
Do Prune in May |
J
Do Prune in June |
J
Do Prune in July |
A
Do not Prune in August |
S
Do not Prune in September |
O
Do not Prune in October |
N
Do not Prune in November |
D
Do not Prune in December |
Prunus laurocerasus 'Otto Luyken' and wildlife
Prunus 'Otto Luyken' is known for attracting bees and birds. It has nectar/pollen rich flowers and has seeds for birds.
Attractive to Bees
Does not attract Beneficial insects
Attractive to Birds
Does not attract Butterflies/Moths
Does not attract Other pollinators
Is Prunus laurocerasus 'Otto Luyken' poisonous?
Prunus 'Otto Luyken' is harmful if ingested. Its foilage and fruit are toxic.
Toxic to Cats
Toxic to Dogs
Toxic to Horses
Toxic to Livestock
Toxic to People
No reported toxicity to Birds
