Prunus caroliniana (Carolina Cherry Laurel)

Attractive and fast-growing, Prunus caroliniana (Carolina Cherry Laurel) is a dense evergreen shrub or small tree of pyramidal-oval habit with smooth, glossy dark green leaves, 2-4 in. long (5-10 cm), with pointed tips. The leaves and stems emit an almond scent when bruised. From late winter to mid-spring, a profusion of sweetly fragrant, tiny white flowers held in dense racemes, 2-3 in. long (5-7 cm), appear among the leaves. They attract bees and other pollinating insects. They are followed by small, fleshy, reddish-purple cherries that ripen to shiny black by fall and persist through winter. While the ripe berries should not be consumed, birds will strip them all once they are ripe. Smooth in youth, the bark becomes more irregular with age, dark gray to almost black. Prunus caroliniana is a superb plant for hedges, screens, and windbreaks.

• Grows up to 20-30 ft. tall (600-900 cm) and 15-25 ft. wide (450-750 cm). Will self-seed in the landscape.
• A full sun or part shade lover, this plant is easily grown in moist, well-drained soils. Drought tolerant once established. Prolonged soil saturation can cause root rot, particularly in clay soils. Shallow, nutrient-poor, rocky soils can cause chlorosis and heat stress.
• Perfect as a specimen plant, for hedges or screens, and in shrub borders. Great for coastal areas.
• No serious pest or disease issues. Keep an eye out for borers and mites. Deer resistant.
• Carolina Cherry Laurel does not like being severely pruned.
• Propagate by seed, semi-hardwood cuttings, softwood cuttings.
• This plant has high severity poison characteristics. Seeds, twigs, and leaves may be harmful if ingested.
• Toxic to dogs, toxic to cats, toxic to horses, toxic to humans.
• Native to the Southern United States, from coastal Virginia to northern Florida, west to Louisiana.