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Otto Luyken Cherry Laurel

Prunus laurocerasus 'Otto Luyken'

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Otto Luyken Cherry Laurel (Prunus laurocerasus 'Otto Luyken') at Rutgers Landscape & Nursery

Otto Luyken Cherry Laurel flowers

Otto Luyken Cherry Laurel flowers

(Photo courtesy of NetPS Plant Finder)

Otto Luyken Cherry Laurel (Prunus laurocerasus 'Otto Luyken') at Rutgers Landscape & Nursery

Otto Luyken Cherry Laurel in bloom

Otto Luyken Cherry Laurel in bloom

(Photo courtesy of NetPS Plant Finder)

Height:  4 feet

Spread:  7 feet

Sunlight:  full sun  partial shade 

Hardiness Zone:  5

Other Names:  English Laurel, Common Laurel

Description:

A more compact form of cherry laurel; produces showy, fragrant, erect white spike flowers, freely flowering, black fruit and glossy dark-green leaves; makes a stunning hedge or accent plant, takes pruning very well

Ornamental Features

Otto Luyken Cherry Laurel features showy racemes of fragrant white flowers rising above the foliage in mid spring. It has attractive dark green evergreen foliage. The glossy pointy leaves are highly ornamental and remain dark green throughout the winter. The fruits are showy black drupes displayed in mid summer.

Landscape Attributes

Otto Luyken Cherry Laurel is a dense multi-stemmed evergreen shrub with a more or less rounded form. Its average texture blends into the landscape, but can be balanced by one or two finer or coarser trees or shrubs for an effective composition.

This is a relatively low maintenance shrub, and should only be pruned after flowering to avoid removing any of the current season's flowers. It is a good choice for attracting birds to your yard. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Otto Luyken Cherry Laurel is recommended for the following landscape applications;

  • Accent
  • Mass Planting
  • Hedges/Screening
  • General Garden Use

Planting & Growing

Otto Luyken Cherry Laurel will grow to be about 4 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 7 feet. It tends to fill out right to the ground and therefore doesn't necessarily require facer plants in front. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 50 years or more.

This shrub does best in full sun to partial shade. It does best in average to evenly moist conditions, but will not tolerate standing water. It is not particular as to soil pH, but grows best in rich soils, and is able to handle environmental salt. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. This is a selected variety of a species not originally from North America.

 
 
Hardiness Zone Plant Height Minimum Sunlight
Characteristics
Accent  Massing  Screening  Garden 
Applications
Flowers  Fruit  Foliage Color  Attracts Wildlife 
Ornamental Features


Disclaimer - Rutgers Landscape & Nursery Plant Finder is an online resource representing many of the varieties that we carry over the course of the season, and is intended for informational purposes only. Inventory varies seasonally, so we cannot guarantee that every plant will be in stock at all times - please contact Rutgers directly for current availability.