Laurel Etna in 3L Pot

Prunus laurocerasus ‘Etna’

Also known as Etna Cherry Laurel – is a compact, evergreen shrub prized for its lush foliage and hardiness. It is a cultivar of the common cherry laurel (Prunus laurocerasus), specially selected for its dense, bushy growth and suitability for smaller gardens or formal hedging.

Plant Description:

• Botanical Name: Prunus laurocerasus ‘Etna’

• Common Name: Etna Cherry Laurel

• Type: Evergreen shrub

• Height & Spread: Typically grows to 1.5–2.5 meters in height and spread

• Foliage: Glossy, leathery dark green leaves with a bronze-red tint on new growth

• Flowers: Small, white, fragrant flowers in upright spikes, blooming in late spring

• Fruit: Occasionally produces small, black berries in autumn (toxic if ingested)

• Growth Habit: Bushy, upright, and compact

Key Features:

• Attractive reddish-bronze young leaves turning deep green

• Dense foliage ideal for privacy and noise screening

• Compact and slower growing than the standard cherry laurel

• Tolerant of shade, pollution, and pruning

Uses:

• Hedges & Screens: Excellent for low to medium formal hedges

• Specimen Planting: Adds evergreen structure and color to borders

• Urban & Small Gardens: Perfect for limited spaces due to its compact nature

• Wildlife: Provides shelter for birds and insects

Care Tips:

• Light: Thrives in full sun to partial shade; tolerates deep shade

• Soil: Prefers well-drained, fertile soil but adapts to most conditions

• Watering: Regular watering during establishment; drought-tolerant once mature

• Pruning: Prune in late spring or summer to shape or reduce size

• Hardiness: Fully hardy; withstands cold and exposure

• Pests/Diseases: Generally resilient but may be susceptible to shot hole fungus or scale insects

Prunus laurocerasus ‘Etna’

Common Name: Etna Cherry Laurel
Type: Compact evergreen shrub
Family: Rosaceae
Origin: Cultivar of the common cherry laurel (Prunus laurocerasus)

Plant Description:

• Foliage: Dense, glossy, dark green evergreen leaves with striking bronze to copper-red new growth, which matures to deep green.

• Growth Habit: Naturally compact, upright, and bushy. Slower-growing than standard cherry laurel, ideal for smaller spaces.

• Size: Typically reaches 1.5–2.5 meters in height and spread over time.

• Flowers: Small, fragrant, white flowers in upright racemes bloom in late spring (May–June).

• Fruit: Sometimes followed by small black berries in autumn (toxic to humans if ingested).

Usage:

• Hedging & Screening: One of the best laurel varieties for hedges, thanks to its dense growth and manageable size.

• Urban & Small Gardens: Excellent for confined spaces due to its controlled, compact growth.

• Ornamental Shrub: Works well as a standalone specimen or grouped in borders for evergreen structure.

• Wildlife-Friendly: Flowers attract pollinators, and the dense habit provides shelter for birds and insects.

• Noise & Wind Buffer: Great for planting as a natural sound barrier or windbreak.

Care Guide:

Light Requirements:

• Grows well in full sun, partial shade, or even deep shade.

• Foliage color and flowering may be more vibrant with some sun exposure.

Soil Preferences:

• Prefers moist, well-draining soil.

• Tolerates clay, loam, or sandy soils and a range of pH levels.

• Avoid very wet or waterlogged conditions.

Watering:

• Water regularly during the first year to establish roots.

• Once established, it is drought-tolerant but benefits from occasional watering in dry spells.

✂️ Pruning:

• Prune in late spring or early summer after flowering.

• Easily shaped and maintained as a formal or informal hedge.

• Responds well to trimming, even into old wood.

❄️ Hardiness:

• Fully hardy in the UK and most of Europe (USDA zones 6–9).

• Withstands frost, snow, and coastal exposure.

Pests & Diseases:

• Generally pest- and disease-resistant, though occasionally affected by:

  • Shot hole disease

  • Scale insects

  • Leaf spot

Tip: Good airflow, proper spacing, and routine checks help prevent issues.