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Prunus laurocerasus ‘Caucasica’
Heijnen Plants takes great pride in presenting the Prunus laurocerasus 'Caucasica', commonly known as the cherry laurel 'Caucasica'. This distinguished plant is celebrated for its lush foliage and vigorous growth habit, rendering it an ideal choice for a dense, evergreen hedge. The glossy, dark green leaves provide a stunning backdrop for the plant's delicate white flowers, which add a touch of elegance to any garden setting. As a cultivar that thrives across a range of soil types, the cherry laurel 'Caucasica' is a highly adaptable and low-maintenance addition to both formal and informal landscapes.
Prunus laurocerasus ‘Caucasica’
The Prunus laurocerasus 'Caucasica', commonly known as the cherry laurel, is a robust and versatile evergreen favored for its dense foliage and rapid growth rate, making it an ideal choice for creating a lush, private hedge. With its ability to thrive in a variety of light conditions from full sun to shade, the cherry laurel is an excellent selection for gardeners looking to add structure and greenery to their landscape year-round.
During the spring months, this variety of Prunus produces clusters of fragrant white flowers, adding a splash of brightness to the garden before giving way to attractive red and black berries in the autumn.
Key Features
- The Prunus laurocerasus 'Caucasica' boasts a rapid growth rate of 40 to 60 cm per year, quickly establishing itself as a thick, obscuring hedge.
- It is an evergreen species, ensuring that your garden remains vibrant and green throughout the seasons, from the fresh green foliage in spring to the persistent green in winter.
- With a remarkable winter hardiness that withstands temperatures as low as -20.6°C to -23.3°C (USDA zone 6a), the cherry laurel remains hardy and resilient during colder months.
- The plant is drought-resistant, requiring less frequent watering once established, and is adaptable to all well-drained soil types.
- It is low maintenance, only requiring pruning twice a year to maintain its shape or to remove any unsightly shoots.
Tips
- To ensure the health and vitality of your Prunus laurocerasus 'Caucasica', plant it in well-drained soil and choose a location that receives full sun to partial shade.
- For hedges, plant multiple cherry laurels at intervals that allow enough space for the plants to grow and form a dense barrier.
- When pruning, do so in the spring or autumn to encourage new growth and maintain the desired form while avoiding the extreme heat of summer, which can stress the plant.
- Although the cherry laurel is drought resistant, during long dry spells, particularly in the establishment phase, ensure to water the plant regularly to support its robust growth.
- To propagate new plants, take semi-ripe cuttings in the summer and root them in a nurturing soil environment.
Planting & care
We would like to provide some tips on how to plant and care for a Laurel 'Caucasica'. By following these tips, you can be sure to enjoy your Laurel 'Caucasica' for a long time.
Ideal placement of a Laurel 'Caucasica'
For the laurel 'Caucasica', the ideal location can range from full shade to full sun, offering great versatility for garden design. This resilience, combined with its ability to adapt to various soil conditions, provided they are well-drained, makes it a robust choice for hedges or as a solitary feature. With its capacity for rapid growth and dense foliage, the plant ensures privacy throughout the year. To maximize its growth potential and visual density, a spot with partial shade and access to regular moisture is recommended, despite its drought-resistant nature.
Planting a Laurel 'Caucasica'
For optimal establishment, Prunus laurocerasus 'Caucasica' should be planted in a trench with depth and width greater than the size of the root ball. Ensure the selected location can accommodate the species' rapid growth of 40-60 cm annually and offers well-drained soil. This variety thrives in full sun to shaded areas and possesses notable winter hardiness, tolerating temperatures down to -20.6°C, aligning with USDA zone 6a conditions. Post-planting, water the root ball thoroughly to settle the soil around it and support root development. Regular watering is recommended until the hedge is well-established, especially in drier conditions, due to its drought-resistant nature.
Pruning a Laurel 'Caucasica'
For optimal shape and health, Prunus laurocerasus 'Caucasica' may be pruned twice annually. The first session should occur after the flowering period in June to avoid cutting off the buds prematurely. The second pruning can be undertaken in late summer or early autumn. During these pruning sessions, focus on removing any unsightly or wayward shoots to promote a dense, uniform hedge. Pruning is not strictly necessary for the plant's vigor but is beneficial for aesthetic maintenance and to curtail excessive growth.
Watering a Laurel 'Caucasica'
The Prunus laurocerasus 'Caucasica' is quite drought-resistant once established, which makes it an excellent choice for gardeners seeking a low-maintenance hedge. During the first growing season, regular watering is crucial to support the development of a strong root system. Afterward, it will need less frequent watering, but it's essential to ensure the soil remains well-drained. In periods of extreme heat or unusual dryness, it's advisable to water deeply to prevent stress. This species is quite adaptable and can thrive with the natural rainfall in most temperate climates.
Fertilising a Laurel 'Caucasica'
For optimal health and growth, fertilizing Prunus 'Caucasica' is best done in the early spring and again in mid-summer. An all-purpose, slow-release fertilizer is ideal for this species, providing a steady supply of nutrients throughout its active growth periods. When applying fertilizer, ensure that it is evenly distributed around the base of the hedge, avoiding direct contact with the trunk and lower branches to prevent potential damage. Water deeply after fertilizing to help the nutrients penetrate the soil and reach the root ball.
Regular feeding of this evergreen helps maintain its lush, green foliage and supports its robust growth rate, making it an excellent choice for a quickly obscuring, visually dense hedge. Proper fertilization also enhances the plant's winter hardiness, enabling it to withstand the chill of USDA zone 6a.
The characteristics of a Laurel 'Caucasica'
The cherry laurel 'Caucasica' is esteemed for its robust and glossy evergreen foliage, which provides a lush backdrop in any garden year-round. Its dense growth habit makes it an excellent choice for privacy hedges or screens. Moreover, the plant's ability to thrive in a variety of soil types, coupled with its tolerance for both full sun and partial shade, makes it a versatile addition to the landscape. Pruning is seldom necessary, but if desired, it responds well to shaping.
Laurel 'Caucasica': the ideal variety for you!
Prunus laurocerasus 'Caucasica', with its lustrous foliage and robust growth, is an exemplary choice for those seeking an elegant and resilient plant. It serves as an excellent privacy screen, thriving to create a lush, evergreen backdrop that is both aesthetically pleasing and functional throughout the year.
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