Prunus laurocerasus Fontanettes - Cherry Laurel

Prunus laurocerasus 'Caucasia Fontanette' is a variety that stands out for its vigorous growth, bushier habit, and denser foliage compared to the typical species. It forms an erect and dense bush, bearing evergreen leaves that are elongated ovals and have a shiny dark green colour. It displays creamy white flowering clusters that are erect and fragrant in late spring, followed by berries that resemble cherries, which are initially red before turning dark purple in autumn. This cultivar is excellent for hardiness and has foliage resistant to powdery mildew. Compact and of medium size, it is the perfect plant for medium-sized hedges! Like all other laurel palms, it can tolerate all exposures as long as it is planted in well-drained, moist, and deep soil, without too much limestone.

Native to southeastern Europe and Asia Minor, indigenous to Iran, the Caucasus, and Turkey, the Cherry Laurel, sometimes called Trabzon Laurel, Almond Laurel, or Palm Laurel, is an evergreen shrub of the Rosaceae family. They are fairly hardy evergreen shrubs, easy to grow in ordinary soil, not demanding in terms of exposure, and tolerant of pruning. It also tolerates sea spray and pollution. For soils with a tendency towards limestone, choose Portuguese laurel varieties. The 'Fontanette' cultivar stands out in particular for its bushier habit and denser foliage compared to the typical species. Of medium growth, it reaches a height of 3 m (9.8 ft) and a width of 1 m (3.3 ft). Hardy down to -20° C (-4° F). Its foliage consists of large oval, lanceolate, leathery leaves, 15 cm to 18 cm (5.9 in to 7.1 in) long. The foliage bears a shiny green colour, more or less intense depending on the nature of the soil. In limestone soil, it will tend towards light green, while in acidic soil, it will be dark green. The lamina is shiny on the upper side, lighter and matte on the underside, and is very decorative. In spring, erect clusters 8 cm to 12 cm (3.1 in to 4.7 in) long appear at the ends of the shoots, covered in tiny white, slightly fragrant flowers. The flowers are popular with bees. They give way, in summer, to small ovoid fruits, which are initially green, then red, and finally dark purple, 8 mm to 10 mm (0.3 in to 0.4 in) wide. The fruits are toxic if ingested by humans but sought after by birds that spread the seeds. Consider this for the creation of interesting hedgerows to promote beneficial fauna for the ecological balance of the garden.

The Cherry Laurel is one of the most commonly used shrubs for creating screen hedges. This variety excels as a medium-sized monospecific hedge, whether left untrimmed or trimmed, forming structural boundaries that are both decorative and long-lasting, impervious to view. For hedge planting, ensure that each plant is spaced 80 cm to 1 m (31.5 in to 3.3 ft) apart. Try to avoid repeated pruning as it mutilates the foliage and suppresses its charming flowering. It looks good in an untrimmed hedge, with other evergreens (Elaeagnus ebbingei, Viburnum tinus, Rhamnus alaternus, Arbutus unedo, Photinia, Taxus x media, Pyracantha, and holly). In a mixed bed with deciduous subjects, it will provide the colour they lack during the off-season. If the fruits develop to maturity, they will result in the birth of numerous young plants inside or outside the garden.

Attention: 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 a bitter almond smell. This is also found in the almonds of apricot and peach pits, for example.