Pleached Prunus lusitanica, commonly known as Portugal Laurel, is an evergreen tree trained onto a framework to form a raised foliage panel. Its glossy dark green leaves and distinctive reddish stems create a smart, year-round screen.
Pleached Portugal Laurel can be used above a boundary, to divide garden areas or to add structure to a formal planting scheme. It grows best in moist but well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade. Regular trimming is needed to keep the foliage within the pleached frame.
The supplied overall height, clear stem and panel dimensions vary by product option. Check the measurements shown for the selected tree before ordering.
Key Features of Pleached Prunus lusitanica
Evergreen foliage provides screening throughout the year
Glossy, dark green leaves contrast with red stems
Pleached framework creates a raised, formal screen
Useful above boundaries or between garden areas
Small, fragrant white flowers may appear in early summer
Best in full sun or partial shade
Prefers moist but well-drained soil
Regular trimming maintains the panel shape
RHS hardiness rating H5
Supplied dimensions vary by product option
Pleached Prunus lusitanica – Tree Specification
Botanical name: Prunus lusitanica
Common name: Portugal Laurel / Portuguese Laurel / Portugal Laurel Cherry
Family: Rosaceae
Tree type: Evergreen shrub or small tree, trained as a pleached standard
Pleached form: Trained onto a supporting framework to create a raised foliage panel.
Overall height: Varies by product option; refer to the selected size details.
Clear stem height: Varies by product option; refer to the selected size details.
Pleached panel dimensions: Vary by product option; refer to the selected size details.
Foliage: Evergreen, deep green and ovate.
Stems: Young shoots are dark red.
Flowers: Small, fragrant white flowers grow in long racemes in early summer.
Fruit: Small dark purple fruits may follow flowering. Leaves and fruit can be harmful if eaten.
Position: Full sun or partial shade.
Soil: Moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil; tolerant of a range of soil types, including chalk.
Soil moisture: Moist but well-drained or well-drained; avoid waterlogged soil.
Exposure: Can tolerate exposed or sheltered positions, though a sheltered site is preferable for a neat screen.
Hardiness: RHS hardiness rating H5.
Native status: Not native to the UK; native to south-west Europe and Morocco.
Wildlife value: Flowers can benefit pollinating insects. Evergreen foliage provides cover for birds.
Maintenance: Regular trimming is needed to maintain the pleached shape.
Potentially harmful: Leaves and fruit can be harmful if eaten. Keep trimmings and fallen fruit away from pets.
Suitable uses: Elevated screening, boundary planting, formal gardens, garden divisions and architectural landscaping.
Why Choose Pleached Prunus lusitanica?
Evergreen Screening
Portugal Laurel retains its foliage throughout the year, making it useful where screening is wanted in every season. In pleached form, the foliage is raised above the trunk to create a screen at a higher level.
It can be planted in a line along a boundary or used to separate parts of a garden. The supplied panel dimensions and spacing determine how much coverage the trees provide, so check the product details and planting layout before ordering.
Glossy Leaves and Red Stems
The dark green leaves create a dense, polished appearance, while the reddish young stems add contrast. Together, they give the pleached screen a distinctive look even when there is no new growth.
A Formal, Structured Shape
Pleached trees are trained onto a frame to create a defined foliage panel. This gives Portugal Laurel a more formal appearance than an untrained shrub or tree.
The framework provides the initial shape, but regular trimming is needed to keep new shoots within the panel and maintain a tidy outline.
Useful Above Boundaries
The elevated canopy can provide screening above a fence or wall while leaving the space below more open. This can be useful where a boundary already exists but additional privacy or structure is wanted above it.
Before planting, check the overall tree height, clear stem and panel dimensions against the boundary, neighbouring properties and the intended screen line.
Flowers for Pollinators
If left unpruned, Portugal Laurel may produce long racemes of small, fragrant white flowers in early summer. Regular trimming to maintain a pleached shape will reduce flowering and fruiting.
Suitable for a Range of Soil Types
Portugal Laurel grows in moist but well-drained soil and can tolerate a range of soil types, including chalk. It is adaptable once established, but good drainage remains important.
Planting and Establishment
Plant Pleached Prunus lusitanica in full sun or partial shade, in moist but well-drained soil. Choose a position with enough space for the trunk, framework and foliage panel.
Prepare the planting area and set the tree so the root flare sits at the correct finished soil level. Water thoroughly after planting and water regularly while the tree establishes.
A mulch layer can help retain soil moisture and reduce competition from grass and weeds. Keep mulch clear of the trunk.
Install any required support or framework securely, following the instructions supplied with the tree. Check that there is access for future trimming and maintenance.
For larger nursery specimens, professional planting is recommended.
Maintaining Pleached Prunus lusitanica
Regular trimming is needed to preserve the shape of the pleached panel. Guide or tie in new growth along the framework and trim shoots that extend beyond the intended outline.
The RHS recommends pruning Portugal Laurel in late spring or early summer. If you want flowers, avoid trimming off developing flower racemes; with a regularly clipped pleached screen, flowering may be limited.
Check the framework and ties periodically, adjusting them if they begin to restrict growing stems. Water during prolonged dry weather, particularly while the tree is establishing.
Important Planting Considerations
Pleached Portugal Laurel is a living screen and needs regular maintenance. Allow space and access for trimming the panel and caring for the tree.
Confirm the supplied overall height, clear stem and panel dimensions before ordering. These vary by product option and determine the coverage the tree will provide when installed.
Choose well-drained soil and avoid locations where water remains around the roots for long periods.
Leaves and fruit can be harmful if eaten. Take care when handling trimmings and keep them away from pets.
Specimen Tree Delivery and Professional Planting
Landscaping Emporium, brought to you by Kirman Design, offers professional specimen tree supply and planting throughout selected areas of North West England.
We provide professional tree planting in the following postcode areas:
BB, BL, CH1–CH5, CW8, CW9, FY, L, LA1–LA6, M, OL, PR, SK1–SK12, WA and WN.
Please do not select professional planting at checkout if your property is outside these postcode areas without contacting us first.
If your property is outside our normal installation area, please contact us. We may still be able to arrange planting depending on your location, tree size and site access.
Before ordering, please consider delivery access, gate and passage widths, steps, slopes, overhead restrictions and the available planting space.
Pleached Prunus lusitanica trees may be supplied in different nursery sizes and root formats depending on current stock and seasonal availability.
Overall height, clear stem, pleached panel dimensions and natural branching structure will vary between product options and individual specimens.
Contact Landscaping Emporium
Landscaping Emporium – brought to you by Kirman Design
Unit 9, Bridgewater Business Park
Gladstone Street
Blackburn
BB1 3DL
Telephone: 01942 604976
Email: hello@landscapingemporium.co.uk
Website: www.landscapingemporium.co.uk
Professional tree supply and planting across North West England.
Pleached Prunus lusitanica, commonly known as Portugal Laurel, is an evergreen tree trained onto a framework to form a raised foliage panel. Its glossy dark green leaves and distinctive reddish stems create a smart, year-round screen.
Pleached Portugal Laurel can be used above a boundary, to divide garden areas or to add structure to a formal planting scheme. It grows best in moist but well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade. Regular trimming is needed to keep the foliage within the pleached frame.
The supplied overall height, clear stem and panel dimensions vary by product option. Check the measurements shown for the selected tree before ordering.
Key Features of Pleached Prunus lusitanica
Evergreen foliage provides screening throughout the year
Glossy, dark green leaves contrast with red stems
Pleached framework creates a raised, formal screen
Useful above boundaries or between garden areas
Small, fragrant white flowers may appear in early summer
Best in full sun or partial shade
Prefers moist but well-drained soil
Regular trimming maintains the panel shape
RHS hardiness rating H5
Supplied dimensions vary by product option
Pleached Prunus lusitanica – Tree Specification
Botanical name: Prunus lusitanica
Common name: Portugal Laurel / Portuguese Laurel / Portugal Laurel Cherry
Family: Rosaceae
Tree type: Evergreen shrub or small tree, trained as a pleached standard
Pleached form: Trained onto a supporting framework to create a raised foliage panel.
Overall height: Varies by product option; refer to the selected size details.
Clear stem height: Varies by product option; refer to the selected size details.
Pleached panel dimensions: Vary by product option; refer to the selected size details.
Foliage: Evergreen, deep green and ovate.
Stems: Young shoots are dark red.
Flowers: Small, fragrant white flowers grow in long racemes in early summer.
Fruit: Small dark purple fruits may follow flowering. Leaves and fruit can be harmful if eaten.
Position: Full sun or partial shade.
Soil: Moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil; tolerant of a range of soil types, including chalk.
Soil moisture: Moist but well-drained or well-drained; avoid waterlogged soil.
Exposure: Can tolerate exposed or sheltered positions, though a sheltered site is preferable for a neat screen.
Hardiness: RHS hardiness rating H5.
Native status: Not native to the UK; native to south-west Europe and Morocco.
Wildlife value: Flowers can benefit pollinating insects. Evergreen foliage provides cover for birds.
Maintenance: Regular trimming is needed to maintain the pleached shape.
Potentially harmful: Leaves and fruit can be harmful if eaten. Keep trimmings and fallen fruit away from pets.
Suitable uses: Elevated screening, boundary planting, formal gardens, garden divisions and architectural landscaping.
Why Choose Pleached Prunus lusitanica?
Evergreen Screening
Portugal Laurel retains its foliage throughout the year, making it useful where screening is wanted in every season. In pleached form, the foliage is raised above the trunk to create a screen at a higher level.
It can be planted in a line along a boundary or used to separate parts of a garden. The supplied panel dimensions and spacing determine how much coverage the trees provide, so check the product details and planting layout before ordering.
Glossy Leaves and Red Stems
The dark green leaves create a dense, polished appearance, while the reddish young stems add contrast. Together, they give the pleached screen a distinctive look even when there is no new growth.
A Formal, Structured Shape
Pleached trees are trained onto a frame to create a defined foliage panel. This gives Portugal Laurel a more formal appearance than an untrained shrub or tree.
The framework provides the initial shape, but regular trimming is needed to keep new shoots within the panel and maintain a tidy outline.
Useful Above Boundaries
The elevated canopy can provide screening above a fence or wall while leaving the space below more open. This can be useful where a boundary already exists but additional privacy or structure is wanted above it.
Before planting, check the overall tree height, clear stem and panel dimensions against the boundary, neighbouring properties and the intended screen line.
Flowers for Pollinators
If left unpruned, Portugal Laurel may produce long racemes of small, fragrant white flowers in early summer. Regular trimming to maintain a pleached shape will reduce flowering and fruiting.
Suitable for a Range of Soil Types
Portugal Laurel grows in moist but well-drained soil and can tolerate a range of soil types, including chalk. It is adaptable once established, but good drainage remains important.
Planting and Establishment
Plant Pleached Prunus lusitanica in full sun or partial shade, in moist but well-drained soil. Choose a position with enough space for the trunk, framework and foliage panel.
Prepare the planting area and set the tree so the root flare sits at the correct finished soil level. Water thoroughly after planting and water regularly while the tree establishes.
A mulch layer can help retain soil moisture and reduce competition from grass and weeds. Keep mulch clear of the trunk.
Install any required support or framework securely, following the instructions supplied with the tree. Check that there is access for future trimming and maintenance.
For larger nursery specimens, professional planting is recommended.
Maintaining Pleached Prunus lusitanica
Regular trimming is needed to preserve the shape of the pleached panel. Guide or tie in new growth along the framework and trim shoots that extend beyond the intended outline.
The RHS recommends pruning Portugal Laurel in late spring or early summer. If you want flowers, avoid trimming off developing flower racemes; with a regularly clipped pleached screen, flowering may be limited.
Check the framework and ties periodically, adjusting them if they begin to restrict growing stems. Water during prolonged dry weather, particularly while the tree is establishing.
Important Planting Considerations
Pleached Portugal Laurel is a living screen and needs regular maintenance. Allow space and access for trimming the panel and caring for the tree.
Confirm the supplied overall height, clear stem and panel dimensions before ordering. These vary by product option and determine the coverage the tree will provide when installed.
Choose well-drained soil and avoid locations where water remains around the roots for long periods.
Leaves and fruit can be harmful if eaten. Take care when handling trimmings and keep them away from pets.
Specimen Tree Delivery and Professional Planting
Landscaping Emporium, brought to you by Kirman Design, offers professional specimen tree supply and planting throughout selected areas of North West England.
We provide professional tree planting in the following postcode areas:
BB, BL, CH1–CH5, CW8, CW9, FY, L, LA1–LA6, M, OL, PR, SK1–SK12, WA and WN.
Please do not select professional planting at checkout if your property is outside these postcode areas without contacting us first.
If your property is outside our normal installation area, please contact us. We may still be able to arrange planting depending on your location, tree size and site access.
Before ordering, please consider delivery access, gate and passage widths, steps, slopes, overhead restrictions and the available planting space.
Pleached Prunus lusitanica trees may be supplied in different nursery sizes and root formats depending on current stock and seasonal availability.
Overall height, clear stem, pleached panel dimensions and natural branching structure will vary between product options and individual specimens.
Contact Landscaping Emporium
Landscaping Emporium – brought to you by Kirman Design
Unit 9, Bridgewater Business Park
Gladstone Street
Blackburn
BB1 3DL
Telephone: 01942 604976
Email: hello@landscapingemporium.co.uk
Website: www.landscapingemporium.co.uk
Professional tree supply and planting across North West England.
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