Prunus laurocerasus 'Schipkaensis' Skip Laurel
Description
A very adaptable and fast growing evergreen shrub that will grow in sun or shade, the Schip Laurel, sometimes referred to as the Schip Cherry Laurel and misspelled as "skip laurel," is prized for its high-gloss foliage and highly fragrant flowers in spring. Adding up to 2 feet in height per year, the deep green shiny leaves of Schip Laurel form a dense evergreen shrub with a year-round "polished" look that is perfect as an accent or to frame corners in home foundations or to form a quick hedge or privacy screen.
In spring, loads of fragrant white flower "candles" are very pretty against the dark foliage, adding to the overall appeal of the plant. Without pruning, the Schip Laurel grows up to 15 feet tall and 6 to 7 feet wide. That said, plants can be maintained at about half those dimensions with an annual pruning or two. If you're looking to add an elegant plant to your home foundation planting or landscape border the Schip Laurel is sure to fit the bill!
Landscape & Garden Uses
Growing upright from 6 to 15 feet tall and 5 to 7 feet wide (depending on pruning), the Schip Laurel is ideal for use as an accent, in groupings or as a natural or formal hedge in sunny or shady home foundation plantings and landscape borders. A fine addition to fragrance gardens and formal gardens.
Plant Details
Plant Type: Evergreen Flowering Shrub
Height at Maturity: 6-15' depending on pruning
Width at Maturity: 5-7' depending on pruning
Spacing: 4-5' for solid hedges or privacy screens; 10' for space between plants
Growth Habit / Form: Dense, Upright
Growth Rate: Fast - Up to 2 feet per year!
Flower Color: White
Flower Size: Small, packed on spikes (candles)
Flowering Period: Spring
Flower Type: Single
Fragrant Flowers: Yes!
Foliage Color: Very Deep Green
Fragrant Foliage: No
Berries: Yes, somewhat inconspicuous
Berry Color: Black
Sun Needs: Full Sun, Full Shade, Morning Sun With Afternoon Shade. Filtered Sun, Morning Shade With Afternoon Sun
Water Needs: Average
Soil Type: Clay (amended), Loam, Sand, Silt
Soil Moisture / Drainage: Moist But Well-drained
Soil pH: 4.5 - 7.5 (Very Acid to Slightly Alkaline)
Maintenance / Care: Low to Average
Attracts: Birds, Visual Attention
Resistances: Drought (moderate when established), Shade