Prunus laurocerasus ‘Elly’

Description

Quick Facts
– Botanical Name: Prunus laurocerasus ‘Elly’
– Common Name: Cherry Laurel ‘Elly’
– Plant Type: Evergreen shrub / hedging plant
– Mature Height: Approx. 2.5-3m (easily kept lower with pruning)
– Mature Spread: Approx. 1.5-2m
– Flowering Period: April to May
– Flower Colour: Creamy-white, fragrant upright racemes, followed by small black-red berries
– Foliage Colour: Glossy, rich dark green; leathery and evergreen year-round
– Habit: Dense, upright and bushy, well-furnished right down to the base
– Hardiness: Fully hardy
– Soil Requirements: Moist, well-drained; tolerant of most soils including clay and chalk
– Aspect: Full sun to full shade
– Maintenance: Low to moderate: clip once or twice a year for a formal hedge

Description
Prunus laurocerasus ‘Elly’ is a handsome, hardworking laurel for anyone who wants a dense, evergreen screen that looks smart all year round. The glossy, deep green leaves form a thick, well-furnished wall of foliage, and the upright, bushy habit means it stays full and clothed down to ground level rather than becoming bare and leggy at the base.

In spring, upright spikes of creamy-white, softly fragrant flowers appear among the foliage, and the bees are quick to find them. These are followed by small berries that are loved by birds. Quick to establish and very forgiving, ‘Elly’ copes with sun, shade, wind and most soil types, which makes it one of the most reliable choices for privacy and boundary planting.

Dense, dependable and quietly elegant, ‘Elly’ is the laurel that gets on with the job.

Caragh Garden Notebook

Planting:
Plant in autumn or spring in moist, well-drained soil, digging in plenty of well-rotted compost or leaf mould. For a hedge, space plants at around 50-60cm apart for quick, dense cover. Laurel is very adaptable and will establish in sun or shade, though it is most vigorous with good light. Water in well and mulch after planting.

Watering:
Water regularly through the first two growing seasons, particularly in dry spells, as young plants establish their root systems. Once settled, ‘Elly’ is fairly drought tolerant, though a deep water during prolonged dry weather keeps the foliage glossy and healthy.

Feeding:
Apply a balanced general fertiliser or a mulch of well-rotted compost in spring. A feed in early summer will help a newly planted hedge fill out quickly.

Seasonal Care & Tidy-Up:
For a formal hedge, trim once or twice a year, in late spring and again in late summer if needed. Use secateurs where possible rather than hedge trimmers, as cutting through the large leaves can leave brown, ragged edges. Any hard renovation is best done in spring, as laurel regenerates well from old wood.

Pests & Problems:
Generally very healthy. Shot hole disease can cause small holes in the leaves in wet conditions, which is largely cosmetic. Vine weevil may affect container-grown plants, so check the compost if plants look stressed. Yellowing foliage usually points to waterlogged or very dry soil.

Design Notes:
‘Elly’ is an excellent choice for privacy hedging, boundary screening and informal evergreen backdrops. Its dense habit gives good year-round cover and helps to soften noise and wind. It also suits a large container as a screening feature on a terrace or driveway. Plant it as a backdrop for seasonal colour from roses, hydrangeas and perennials, where the dark glossy foliage makes everything in front of it glow.

Propagation:
Take semi-hardwood cuttings in late summer and root in a gritty compost. Alternatively, source nursery-grown plants for uniform, reliable hedging.