Prunus laurocerasus 'Verstra' ELLY® cherry laurel

ELLY® is a German introduction of slender growing cherry laurel from Adrian Straver. It forms a dense, columnar, evergreen shrub which requires no pruning to look great. Leathery leaves are mid to dark green, narrowly ovate, and glossy. Its naturally upright habit makes it ideal for a hedge, however, it can serve as a slender, free-standing, evergreen specimen in small gardens. European patent No. 5309 was granted in 2019.

Cherry laurels have compound inflorescence made out of small, white, fragrant flowers that appear in April and May. They are followed by very ornamental fruits which, as recent studies confirmed, are not poisonous. Only seeds from unripe fruit if properly chewed may cause discomfort as they contain the same toxin as bitter almonds (source: Plants For A Future - www.pfaf.org). If you want to prune it, do so in mid spring before new leaves emerge or in mid summer.

Laurels need slightly deep and fertile, acidic, moist soil, and extra watering in frost-free periods in winter to prevent from drying out before the ground gets frozen. It will thrive in full sun or part shade, and will also tolerate being grown in full shade. It seldom suffers from chlorosis (leaves turning yellow owing to lack of iron in the soil) but when it does use a special liquid soil pH balancer to keep it acidic which will help the plant absorb iron. Fully hardy to at least -25 °C (USDA zone 6), possibly more.

Last update 01-03-2022