Prunus lusitanica Brenelia - Portuguese Laurel

The 'Brenelia' Portugal Laurel - Prunus lusitanica in Latin - is a new acquisition considered the best of the Portugal Laurel selections. It is in any case the most compact and the hardiest on the market. This evergreen bush bears shiny dark green foliage with very red stalks, remaining decorative all year round. It stands out for its erect habit, forming a rounded pyramid, and moderate dimensions that make it very versatile in gardens, even suitable for planting in containers on a terrace or balcony. It produces beautiful long clusters of cream white flowers in late spring, followed by black berries in autumn. Hardy down to -15°C and with robust health, it is a low maintenance bush, not very demanding as long as it is planted in ordinary soil that is not too dry to moist, even chalky. Use it to create small partition hedges requiring little pruning, in a mixed hedge, or as a standalone subject to give a lasting structure to the garden.

The Portugal Laurel is an evergreen bush belonging to the Rosaceae family. It is native to Spain and Portugal and appreciates the ambient humidity and mildness of an oceanic climate. But it will adapts elsewhere, including to hot, dry regions if it has deep soil. It is hardy down to around -15°C once fully established in well-drained soil. While less hardy than its cousin the cherry laurel, and with slower growth, it is more resistant to drought and much more ornamental. A species that prefers sun or partial shade, the red shoots will be much less intense in a low light exposure.

Prunus lusitanica 'Brenelia' is a cultivar derived from a sowing of Prunus lusitanica 'Azorica' obtained by Yves Brenelière, taken over by the Minier nurseries in 2011. It is a bush that can reach 2.5 m (8 ft) in height by 2 m (6.5 ft) in spread. With faster growth than the species-type, it can grow 20 to 30 cm (8 to 12 in) per year once well established. Its young branches are a particularly eye-catching red. They bear evergreen leaves, ovate, elongated, dentate, undulate, 6 to 12 cm (2.4 to 4.7 in) long, shiny dark green. In May-June depending on the climate, it produces white flowers with an orange heart, cup-shaped, 1.5 cm (0.6 in) in diameter, honey-scented, nectar-rich and honey-producing, gathered in narrow, pendulous clusters, 15 to 25 cm (6 to 10 in) long. The fruits are composed of small oval berries of 8 mm (0.3 in), firstly green then red, turning to dark purple then black, very toxic to humans if ingested, but very appreciated by certain birds such as magpies or starlings.

The Portugal Laurel requires a deep and soft soil, particularly in warmer, dryer regions. Its hardiness is better in light soils that do not retain excess water in winter. It is often used as a windbreak evergreen hedge, pruned or not, in association with Photinia serratifolia (Red Robin), Eleagnus ebbingei, the laurustinus, the Cotoneaster lacteus, the bay tree (in mild climates), the holm oak, the strawberry tree and the Mexican orange. It can also be grown as a standalone specimen and formed into topiary, or planted in a container or large pot where it will be easily contained and bring a touch of greenery in all seasons.

Advice : Do not prune at the beginning of the season, to fully enjoy the flowering.