Prunus Rotundifolia

Also known as Cherry Laurel, this vigorous, upright evergreen shrub features large, glossy green leaves that form a thick, impenetrable barrier. In mid-spring, it produces subtle, upright spikes of fragrant white flowers, followed by glossy cherry-red berries that ripen to black, providing a vital food source for local birds. Tough, versatile, and elegant, 'Rotundifolia' is the ultimate choice for reliable, fast-growing privacy hedges and windbreaks, it’s dense, bushy growth habit quickly filters out noise, wind, and nosy neighbours!

This is the definitive, quintessential "Common Laurel" trusted by millions of gardeners, it is haracterised by its enormous, round, light-reflecting emerald green leaves, this incredibly vigorous evergreen shrub provides dense foliage from the ground up. If you need a fast-growing, heavy-duty barrier that transforms your garden boundary into a lush green wall in record time, Prunus Rotundifolia is the ultimate, cost-effective solution.

Key Features

• Rapid Privacy: One of the fastest-growing evergreen hedging options available, quickly expanding to block out roads, paths or neighbours.


• Massive, Glossy Leaves: Broad, leathery, rounded leaves reflect light beautifully, creating a vibrant, bright green wall even on dark, overcast winter days.


• Ultimate Wind & Sound Barrier: The massive surface area of the thick foliage acts as an exceptional sound dampener and structural windbreak.


• Thrives Anywhere: Highly versatile, it handles deep shade, poor soils, coastal exposure, urban air pollution, and heavy rainfall with total ease.


• Highly Regenerative: Incredibly forgiving plant that can handle severe, aggressive hard-pruning right back to old wood if it ever outgrows its space


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Planting & Care Instructions

• Position: Performs flawlessly in full sun, partial shade, or full shade.


• Soil: Tolerates almost all soil conditions including clay, loam and sand but prefers well-drained, fertile soil. Avoid waterlogged, boggy ground.


• Pruning: Prune once or twice a year (late spring or late summer) to control its vigorous size. For the best appearance, use hand pruners to avoid slicing through the large leaves, which can cause brown, ragged edges.


• Safety Note: Like other cherry laurels, the leaves and berries are highly toxic if ingested by humans, pets or livestock. 


• Planting Distance: Plant 2 per linear metre or up to 3 per metre if plants are small


• Mature Height: 4 to 5m if left unpruned which is not recommended, easy to keep well maintained with pruning once a year


• Mature Spread: 2.5 to 4m but easily kept to a nice tidy size hedge if regularly maintained