Prunus lusitanica 'Variegata' (v)

RHS Plant Profile

variegated Portugal laurel

RHS 1999

Shrubs

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A bushy evergreen tree or large shrub to 6m tall, with ovate leaves narrowly margined with white, and small, fragrant white flowers in racemes in early summer

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

4-8 metres

Max Spread

4-8 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 20–50 years
Max Spread: 4-8 metres
Max Height: 4-8 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand

Moisture: Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade

Aspect: South–facing or North–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure: Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H5

Colour & Scent

Fragrance Flower

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Rosaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Bushy
Potentially harmful: Leaves harmful if eatenfruit edible if ripe, but may be harmful if bitter. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling Pets (dogs, rabbits, rodents): Harmful if eaten - for further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants
Genus: Prunus can be deciduous or evergreen trees or shrubs with showy flowers in spring, and often good autumn foliage colour. Some have edible fruit in autumn, and a few species have ornamental bark
Name Status: Accepted

How to Grow

Cultivation

Easy to grow in any moist but well-drained moderately fertile soil in sun or partial shade. Superb hedging shrub and even thrives on poor, shallow, chalky soils

Propagation

Propagate by softwood cuttings in early summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

City and courtyard gardens
Coastal
Cottage and informal garden
Wildlife gardens
Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Pruning group 8 including hedges pruned in late spring or early summer

Pests

Leaves may be damaged by vine weevil and leaf-mining moths

Diseases

May be susceptible to powdery mildews