Prunus laurocerasus 'Otto Luyken'

Common Name(s):

This plant has high severity poison characteristics.

Description

'Otto Luyken' is a compact cultivar that grows only 3-4 feet tall and spreads to 6-8 feet. Over time it can grow 6-10 feet tall. It is free-flowering so prune as needed after flowering. It was introduced by Hesse Nurseries in Germany around 1968. It grows best in soils with high organic matter and good drainage. It tolerates shade and prefers it in hotter climates. It is often confused with 'Zabeliana' in trade which has more upright growth form, growing taller than wide ("refrigerator form") and spreading leaves. 'Otto Luyken' grows wider than tall ("freezer form") and bears strongly ascending leaves 45-60 degree angle to the stem; both have entire leaves or occasionally one or two minute teeth.

Seasons of Interest:

Bloom: Spring Fruit: Summer, black drupe

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Susceptible to shot-hole disease, powdery mildew and root rot. Intolerant of heavy fertilization.

More information on Prunus laurocerasus.

Cultivars / Varieties:

Tags:

#evergreen #showy flowers #birds #fragrant flowers #heavy shade #compact #shade tolerant #shade shrub #salt tolerant #dwarf #drupe #hedges #food source #cpp

Prunus laurocerasus 'Otto Luyken' Peter Stevens CC BY 2.0

Cultivars / Varieties:

Tags:

#evergreen #showy flowers #birds #fragrant flowers #heavy shade #compact #shade tolerant #shade shrub #salt tolerant #dwarf #drupe #hedges #food source #cpp

Attributes:
Genus:

Prunus

Species:

laurocerasus

Family:

Rosaceae

Country Or Region Of Origin:

southeastern Europe, southwestern Asia

Wildlife Value:

Fruits are relished by birds.

Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):

Better disease resistance than most other species in the genus Prunus. Moderately tolerant of salt.

Dimensions:

Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.

Width: 6 ft. 0 in. - 8 ft. 0 in.

Whole Plant Traits:
Plant Type:

Poisonous

Shrub

Leaf Characteristics:

Broadleaf Evergreen

Habit/Form:

Creeping

Dense

Growth Rate:

Rapid

Maintenance:

Low

Texture:

Medium

Cultural Conditions:
Light:

Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)

Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)

Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)

Soil pH:

Alkaline (>8.0)

Soil Drainage:

Good Drainage

Available Space To Plant:

3 feet-6 feet

Fruit:
Fruit Color:

Black

Purple/Lavender

Display/Harvest Time:

Summer

Fruit Type:

Berry

Fruit Length:

< 1 inch

Fruit Description:

Globose-ovoid berry-like drupe, purple-black.

Flowers:
Flower Color:

White

Flower Inflorescence:

Raceme

Flower Value To Gardener:

Fragrant

Showy

Flower Bloom Time:

Spring

Flower Petals:

7 - 20 petals/rays

Flower Size:

< 1 inch

Flower Description:

Inflrescence is a dense, cylindrical raceme to 10 cm in leaf axils. Flowers are white and small with 7 petals and showy anthers.

Leaves:
Leaf Characteristics:

Broadleaf Evergreen

Leaf Color:

Green

Leaf Type:

Simple

Leaf Arrangement:

Alternate

Leaf Shape:

Lanceolate

Oblanceolate

Oblong

Leaf Margin:

Entire

Hairs Present:

No

Leaf Length:

3-6 inches

Leaf Width:

< 1 inch

Leaf Description:

Lustrous, oblong to lanceolate, dark green leaves (to 6” long). Foliage is evergreen with no fall color. Alternate, simple, entire, with at least 2 conspicuous glands on the underside of leaf blade near midrib.

Stem:
Stem Is Aromatic:

No

Landscape:
Design Feature:

Hedge

Attracts:

Songbirds

Resistance To Challenges:

Heavy Shade

Salt

Urban Conditions

Poisonous to Humans:
Poison Severity:

High

Poison Symptoms:

Gasping, weakness, excitement, pupil dilation, spasms, convulsions, coma, respiratory failure

Poison Toxic Principle:

Cyanogenic glycoside, amygdalin

Causes Contact Dermatitis:

No

Poison Part:

Leaves

Stems