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Re: Carolina laurel cherry

Message from Dave in NoVA z7a

'all the cherry laurels I see around here are much lighter in color'

Not sure which cherry laurels you are referring to. Maybe the shrubby Prunus laurocerasus 'Otto Luyken', or the larger Prunus laurocerasus 'Schipkaensis' (so-called Skip laurel). Both of which are very common landscape shrubs around here.

Carolina cherry laurel is one of several evergreen cherries in the genus Prunus that can attain tree size. They are often considered a pest plant further south and will be sown by birds, come up in fence rows, etc. I consider it a good zone indicator plant for a strong mid-zone 7.

But I've seen some really nice specimens limbed up into trees. They can't be beat for deep green evergreen leaves. The bark turns almost black when wet. Cherries can stain sidewalks/drives if planted too close, and of course be spread around by birds.

Carolina laurel cherry should be planted more in zone 7. I have one in my yard. Super easy to start from seed. You might look for the black seeds on the ground or in the tree.


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