Prunus laurocerasus Elly - Cherry Laurel

The Prunus laurocerasus 'Elly' is a recent selection of Cherry Laurel, perfect for forming an evergreen hedge. This fast-growing bush has a particularly columnar habit that minimises the time spent on pruning, especially on the sides. Its beautiful dark green elliptical leaves have a shiny texture which is very decorative and its cream-white flowering in spring is appreciated by pollinating insects. Very hardy, up to about -22°C (-7.6 °F), this Cherry Laurel grows in most soils, in sun or semi-shade and only requires a few waterings in summer and annual pruning.

The Cherry Laurel, sometimes called the Trebizond laurel, almond laurel or palm laurel, is an evergreen bush of the Rosaceae family. This very important family, particularly from an economic point of view, provides most of our temperate climate fruit trees (Apple trees, Pear trees, Plum trees, Apricot trees, Peach trees, etc.), but also many ornamental plants (Hawthorn, Cotoneaster, Rose of course, Photinia, Prunus...) as well as numerous wild plants that populate the countryside and woods (wild strawberry...). Among the hundred genus that make up this family, Prunus is one of those that has the most species, about 300, many of which are fruit-bearing (Cherry trees, Plum trees, Apricot trees...) or ornamental.
Originating from southeastern Europe and Asia Minor, native to Iran, the Caucasus and Turkey, Prunus laurocerasus is an evergreen bush that can reach a large size (up to 8 m (26 ft 2 in) high) and form real trunks. The species has given several cultivars, and is often used for hedging purposes, for which 'Elly' is particularly suitable.

The Cherry Laurel 'Elly' is a recent creation (protected since 2019) by the German nurseryman Adrian Straver, based in Emmerich, a locality situated on the banks of the Rhine just next to the Netherlands. Smaller than the species-type, it can reach at adult age 3.5 to 4 m (11 ft 6 in to 13 ft 1 in) high maximum, if planted solitary in free form, but can easily be kept at 2 m (6 ft 7 in) or 2.5 m (8 ft 2 in) if pruned, which this plant tolerates very well. Its main advantage lies in its very columnar shape, whereas the famous 'Rotundifolia' spontaneously forms a bush wide at the base very swollen. 'Elly' on the other hand, will form a column 80 cm (31.5 in) to 1 m (3 ft 4 in) wide for a height of 3.50 m (11 ft 6 in), making it a Cherry Laurel that is even more suitable for hedge planting than its cousin 'Obelisk'. Moreover, it has a fast growth, of 40 to 60 cm (15.7 to 23.6 in) per year, which very quickly provides a dense vegetal curtain, excellent windbreak on the edge of property.

Its elliptical leaves are of a nice quite dark green colour, and a very decorative, glossy surface, carried by branches with almost vertical growth. This dark vegetal background offers a fragrant setting to the cream-white flowering in April-May, fragrant and honey-bearing. It attracts bees and other pollinators, making it both a decorative and useful plant. The small flowers grouped in corymbs then give black fruits, toxic for humans (the seed in particular is very toxic) but eaten by birds. This fruiting is however less abundant than in some other cultivars of Cherry Laurel.

Very hardy (up to about -22°C (-7.6 °F)), this pretty bush is very accommodating with respect to the soil, only fearing those too calcareous or too wet. It will grow in most ordinary garden soils, with a few waterings in summer, even if once well-rooted it proves to be quite resistant to drought. It is just as tolerant with respect to exposure, and grows equally well in sun as in semi-shade, or even in shade. 'Elly' is therefore typically a plant for beginners, perfect for forming low-maintenance hedges. The care consists of annual pruning (especially to limit the height, as lateral pruning is not essential) and a few waterings in summer.

'Elly' will give full satisfaction in low or medium hedges at a rate of 3 plants per linear metre, but you can also mix it with other evergreens to form a varied hedge. Then choose bushes like the superb Photinia fraseri Red Square, with young shoots of a red even more intense than 'Red Robin', which will contrast strongly next to the dark green of 'Elly'. The varieties of Laurustinus, or Viburnum tinus, will allow you to enjoy winter flowerings, and thus animate your hedge at a traditionally more subdued time. And the must-have Pyracanthas will offer you their lush fruiting in bright colours, which have earned them their well-deserved nickname of 'burning bush'.

Beware: the leaves, and all parts of the cherry laurel are toxic if ingested, with the exception of the fruit pulp (the seed is toxic). They contain prussic acid, (hydrocyanic acid), associated with an aromatic substance called benzaldehyde, with the smell of bitter almond. A principle also found in the almonds of apricot and peach stones for example.