Prunus caroliniana (Wild orange)

Botanical name

Prunus caroliniana

Other names

Wild orange, Carolina cherry laurel, Carolina cherry, Wild mock orange, Laurelcherry, Cherry laurel

Genus

Prunus Prunus

Species

P. caroliniana - P. caroliniana is an upright, evergreen tree with glossy, leathery, elliptic to oblong, dark green leaves and racemes of creamy-white flowers in late winter and early spring followed by ovoid, glossy, black fruit.

Foliage

Evergreen

Fragrance

Flowers are fragrant.

Habit

Upright

Toxicity

All parts are highly toxic if ingested.

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Colour

Flower

Cream, White in Spring

Foliage

Dark-green in All seasons

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How to care

Watch out for

Specific pests

Leaf mining moths , Vine weevil , Cherry black fly

Specific diseases

Powdery mildew , Silver leaf

General care

Pruning

Pruning Group 1. Prune in midsummer in areas where silver leaf is prevalent.

Propagation methods

Softwood cuttings

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Monthly care advice

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Where to grow

Prunus caroliniana (Wild orange) will reach a height of 12m and a spread of 8m after 10-20 years.

Suggested uses

Banks and Slopes, Drought Tolerant, Ground Cover, Hedging/Screens, Low Maintenance, Woodland

Cultivation

Grown in moist but well-drained, neutral to acid soil in sun. May become chlorotic on shallow, chalky soil. Tolerates partial shade & drought. Tends to self-seed.

Soil type

Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)

Soil drainage

Moist but well-drained, Well-drained

Soil pH

Acid, Neutral

Light

Full Sun

Aspect

North, South, East, West

Exposure

Exposed, Sheltered

UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.

Hardy (H4)

USDA zones

Zone 10, Zone 9, Zone 8, Zone 7

Defra's Risk register #1

Plant name

Prunus caroliniana (Wild orange)

Common pest name

Chlorotic leafroll of apricot; Chlorotic leafroll of nectarine; Chlorotic leafroll of peach; Decline of Japanese plum; Decline of peach; Dieback of apricot; European stone fruit yellows; European yellows of peach; Italian rosette of peach; Leptonecrosis of plum; MoliŠres disease of cherry; Vein clearing of peach; Vein enlargement of peach

Scientific pest name

Candidatus Phytoplasma prunorum

Type

Phytoplasma

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

2

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

5

General biosecurity comments

EU regulation appears satisfactory for UK; willing to participate in future review of EU listing.

Defra's Risk register #2

Plant name

Prunus caroliniana (Wild orange)

Common pest name

grape ground pearl

Scientific pest name

Margarodes vitis

Type

Insect

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

2

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

5

General biosecurity comments

Main pathway; Vitis spp. plants for planting; already prohibited. However; further consideration of other pathways is required.

Defra's Risk register #3

Plant name

Prunus caroliniana (Wild orange)

Common pest name

Peach red-necked longhorn; Plum and peach longhorn; red-necked longhorn

Scientific pest name

Aromia bungii

Type

Insect

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

4

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

4

General biosecurity comments

A pest mainly of Prunus previously intercepted in the UK on wooden packaging imported from China. There have been longstanding outbreaks of the pest in Italy; a source of significant trade in plants for instant landscapes; and also findings in Germany. The UK will press for early EU regulation and consider UK national measures if risk increases.

About this section

Our plants are under greater threat than ever before. There is increasing movement of plants and other material traded from an increasing variety of sources. This increases the chances of exotic pests arriving with imported goods and travellers, as well as by natural means. Shoot is working with Defra to help members to do their part in preventing the introduction and spread of invasive risks.

Traveling or importing plants? Please read "Don't risk it" advice here

Suspected outbreak? Click here for contact details to report to the relevant authority.

Date updated: 7^th March 2019 For more information visit: https://planthealthportal.defra.gov.uk/