Garden

Prunus lusitanica

An evergreen shrub or small tree with dark red shoots and scented white flower racemes.

Care notes by theboxerge Updated October 15, 2026

About this plant

Portugal laurel is an evergreen shrub that can become a large tree if left untrimmed. Its dense foliage suits a boundary screen, provided the planting allows access for the repeated cutting needed to hold a hedge-sized shape.

Care at a glance

Light: Full sun or partial shade.
Watering: Water new plants in dry weather; established plants are more drought tolerant.
Soil: Moist but well-drained soil; tolerates a range of soil types, including chalk.

Plan your care

Measure the available width as well as the desired hedge height. A narrow path alongside a mature hedge can become difficult to use if clipping access was not planned.

Shape a hedge in late spring or early summer when appropriate, checking for active bird nests before work. Monitor the soil during the first seasons: rain may wet the surrounding bed while leaving a recently planted root ball dry.