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Cherry Laurel Flower Wikimedia Commons
Rosaceae

Cherry Laurel Flower

Prunus laurocerasus

Perfidy and deception.

Family
Rosaceae
Genus
Prunus
Native to
Southeastern Europe, Western Asia
Bloom season
Spring
Type
shrub
Height
10-25 ft
Sunlight
full sun to part shade
Soil
well-drained, fertile
Water
moderate
Hardiness
6-9
Lifespan
perennial

Did you know

  • The leaves contain cyanogenic glycosides that release hydrogen cyanide when crushed or damaged.
  • Despite its toxicity, cherry laurel was once used to flavor desserts and liqueurs in small, controlled quantities.
  • Victorian-era entomologists used crushed cherry laurel leaves in their killing jars to preserve insect specimens.
  • The plant can regenerate from severe pruning and even from stumps, making it nearly impossible to kill.
  • Its dense evergreen foliage makes it one of the most popular hedging plants in temperate Europe.

Color meanings

0

treachery

1

ambition

2

perseverance

Uses

  • hedging
  • privacy screening
  • ornamental landscaping