Versailles Laurel Prunus laurocerasus 'Otto Luyken'

'Otto Luyken' cherry laurel is a compact cultivar evergreen shrub that grows to 3 to 4 feet tall and spreads to 6 to 8 feet. Over time it can grow 6-10 feet tall. It has upright stems, dark green glossy leaves, and fragrant, small, creamy white, cup-shaped flowers that are arranged in 3 to 6-inch long racemes. Flowering occurs from April to May. The flowers give way to small purple to black drupes in the late summer and fall. The leaves pointed upwards from the stems, which is a distinctive feature of this cultivar. The fruits are inedible and poisonous; therefore, exercise caution with children and pets. This cultivar is a member of the Rosaceae or rose family.

The cultivar, 'Otto Luyken,'  was introduced in Germany in 1968 by Hesse Nurseries. 

The genus name, Prunus, is Latin for cherry or plum. The epithet, laurocerasus, means laurel cherry because of its laurel-like or evergreen leaves and cherry-like fruits.

This cultivar is best planted in full sun to partial shade, moist, well-drained, loamy soils. It tolerates shade and prefers it in hotter climates. The shrub is also tolerant of alkaline soils, dry and poor soils, pollution, and heavy pruning. It is moderately tolerant to salt but is intolerant of heavy fertilization. Free flowering can occur even in heavy shade.  If pruning is required, it is best to prune after flowering has completed and use hand pruners. Avoid shearing which will mutilate the leaves.

It is often confused with 'Zabeliana' in trade which has a 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 at 45-60 degree angle to the stem; both have entire leaves or occasionally one or two-minute teeth. Both are separated from 'Schipkaensis' which has toothed margins toward the apex. 

Consider this cultivar as a hedge, screen, foundation, specimen, or mass plantings in the home landscape, woodland, or shade garden.

Seasons of Interest:

Bloom:  Spring      Foliage: Year-round:       Fruit: Summer and Fall

Quick ID Hints:

• compact, dense, spreading broadleaf evergreen shrub
• leaves point upwards from the stems
• glossy, dark green leaves, lanceolate to oblong with entire margins
• creamy white small cupped-shaped flowers arranged in 3 to 6-inch long racemes
• red to purplish-black small, round drupes

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: This cultivar has better pest resistance than other species in this genus. It is however susceptible to shot-hole disease, powdery mildew, and root rot. To prevent shot-hole fungus, avoid overhead watering. Chlorosis can occur in poor chalky soils.

VIDEO created by Andy Pulte for “Landscape Plant Identification, Taxonomy, and Morphology” a plant identification course offered by the Department of Plant Sciences, University of Tennessee.

More information on Prunus laurocerasus.