Prunus lusitanica 'Myrtifolia' (Portugal laurel 'Myrtifolia')

Botanical name

Prunus lusitanica 'Myrtifolia'

Other names

Portugal laurel 'Myrtifolia', Small-leaved Portugal cherry, Small-leaved Portugal laurel, Prunus lusitanica 'Angustifolia', Prunus lusitanica 'Pyramidalis', Portuguese laurel 'Myrtifolia'

Genus

Prunus Prunus

Variety or Cultivar

'Myrtifolia' _ 'Myrtifolia' is a dense, bushy, conical, slow-growing, evergreen shrub or small tree with red-stalked, elliptic, glossy, dark green leaves and cup-shaped, fragrant, white flowers in early summer followed by cherry-like, red fruit that ripens black.

Foliage

Evergreen

Habit

Dense, Conical, Bushy

Toxicity

Fruit may cause severe discomfort when ingested

Awards

RHS AGM (Award of Garden Merit)

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Colour

Flower

White in Summer

Foliage

Dark-green in All seasons

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How to care

Watch out for

Specific pests

Leaf mining moths , Vine weevil

Specific diseases

Powdery mildew , Silver leaf

General care

Pruning

Pruning group 1. Suitable for use as a hedge or topiary. Prune hedges in early to mid-spring.

Propagation methods

Softwood cuttings

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Monthly care advice

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Where to grow

Prunus lusitanica 'Myrtifolia' (Portugal laurel 'Myrtifolia') will reach a height of 6m and a spread of 3m after 20-50 years.

Suggested uses

Cottage/Informal, Coastal, City, Beds and borders, Drought Tolerant, Hedging/Screens, Low Maintenance

Cultivation

Grow in moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade. Suitable for hedging. Easily tolerates poor, shallow, chalky soil.

Soil type

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

Soil drainage

Moist but well-drained, Well-drained

Soil pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

Light

Partial Shade, 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 9, Zone 8, Zone 7

Defra's Risk register #1

Plant name

Prunus lusitanica 'Myrtifolia' (Portugal laurel 'Myrtifolia')

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 #2

Plant name

Prunus lusitanica 'Myrtifolia' (Portugal laurel 'Myrtifolia')

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 #3

Plant name

Prunus lusitanica 'Myrtifolia' (Portugal laurel 'Myrtifolia')

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/