Prunus lusitanica ssp. azorica Tico (YBRAZO01)

Prunus lusitanica ssp azorica 'Tico' is a brand new variety of Azores Laurel with rather fast growth, whose colourful and harmonious vegetation brings a decorative touch to the range of evergreen shrubs for hedges in limestone soil. It is covered with shiny young leaves tinged with coppery bronze, turning light green and then bronze again in autumn, a colour that contrasts beautifully with their mahogany-red petioles. It also has, in late spring,  elongated and frothy white clusters of flowers, whose fragrance drives pollinating insects crazy. These are followed by fairly decorative red and then black fruits. Very accommodating in terms of soil, and hardy, it is perfect in an informal or pruned hedge. A little more susceptible to cold than its cousin the cherry laurel, it is more resistant to drought, smaller, and a thousand times more ornamental.

The Azores Laurel, in Latin Prunus lusitanica subsp. Azorica, is a shrub belonging to the Rosaceae family. This subspecies of Portuguese Laurel is endemic to the Azores, where it is endangered. It has a more moderate growth than its parent, a less upright habit, more harmonious, and faster growth, and it appreciates limestone soils.

The cultivar 'Tico' was obtained in France in 2012. Not exceeding 3 metres (10 feet) in height and 2 metres (7 feet) in width, it has rapid growth, a slightly flared and trailing flexible habit, and develops red branches. Its leaves persist throughout the year. They are oval in shape, pointed at their tips, with dentate edges, and measure from 6 to 10 cm (2 to 4in) in length. Their colour evolves from spring bronze-orange to acidic green before taking on beautiful bronze hues in the cold. In May-June, sometimes as early as the end of April depending on the climate and the year, it produces a multitude of tiny white flowers, cup-shaped, 1cm (1in) in diameter, with protruding stamens. They are fragrant and honey-bearing, and gathered in narrow and pendant clusters, 12 to 15cm (5 to 6in) long. The fruits consist of small oval berries, 8mm (1in) in size, initially red turning dark purple and then black, which are highly toxic if ingested.

The Azores Laurel requires deep and loose soil, particularly in the warm regions of our country. It thrives in oceanic climates but adapts quite well to Mediterranean climates, and its hardiness allows it to be planted in many regions. It is advantageously used in evergreen hedges, pruned or unpruned, for example in association with Photinia, Eleagnus ebbingei, Cotoneaster lacteus, Abelia chinensis, and strawberry trees. This hedge, both diverse and wind-resistant, will provide shelter and cover for many birds and a precious source of food for bees and butterflies.

Tip: if necessary, prune just after flowering, preferably with secateurs to avoid shredding the foliage. This way, you will spare the flower buds that form during the summer. They will bloom the following spring.