Prunus laurocerasus Greentorch - Cherry Laurel

Prunus laurocerasus 'Greentorch' is a very compact and dense variety of Cherry Laurel, notable for its upright habit that does not require maintenance pruning. Vigorous and hardy, rarely exceeding 2 m (6.6 ft) in height, it is perfect for small gardens.

Native to southeastern Europe and Asia Minor, indigenous to Iran, the Caucasus, and Turkey, the Cherry Laurel, sometimes called Trabzon Laurel, Almond Laurel, or Palm Laurel, is an evergreen shrub of the Rosaceae family. 'Greentorch' is an upright and compact variety, with dense and vigorous growth, measuring approximately 2 m (6.6 ft) in height and 1 m (3.3 ft) in width. Its lanceolate foliage is highly decorative, shiny on the upper side and matte and lighter on the underside. In April-May, it showcases a beautiful flowering of cream-white scented flowers, carried by short upright clusters measuring 6 cm to 10 cm (2.4 in to 3.9 in). These are followed in summer by small ovoid red fruits, turning black when ripe. Please note that these drupes (berries) are toxic as they contain cyanide acid.

Like its award-winning ancestor 'Otto Luyken', 'Greentorch' has slow growth. It is also not demanding in terms of soil and exposure. It will be suitable for creating evergreen hedges that are easy to succeed with; once planted, it will not require any particular care. It can also be planted with other shrubs, or even as a standalone specimen. It adapts well to container cultivation on a terrace or balcony.