Evergreen Shrub – Mount Vernon English Laurel

Mount Vernon English Laurel 

Botanical name: prunus laurocerasus ‘mount vernon’ 

Beginner friendly?: yes

Average size at maturity: 1-2 ft in height with a 5-8 ft spread 

Hardy zone: zones 6-9 

Growth rate: grows 1 ft per year 

Foliage color: green 

Flower color: white

Bloom time: spring 

Pruning instructions: lightly prune to maintain desired shape and size during the early spring and/or early summer 

Propagation methods: propagate with cuttings during the late summer/early fall 

Landscape use: groundcover. Hedge, border/edging 

Special features: attracts pollinators, salt tolerant, shade tolerant 

Light needs: 4-6 hours of sun per day 

Watering instructions: allow the top 2 inches of soil to dry out between watering sessions 

Fertilizing instructions : use a slow release balanced fertilizer once a year in the early spring 

Best time to plant: spring, fall 

Best type of soil:  adapts to most soil types 

Companion plants: ferns, ornamental grasses and sedges, heavenly bamboo nandina, fatsia 

Toxicity level: highly toxic for humans and pets if ingested 

Invasive species: no