There’s a fine example of the Prunus lusitanica, the Portuguese laurel or Portugal laurel, growing at the rear of the Agriculture/Horticulture Department at Wodonga TAFE.
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For most of the year it’s a solid block of vegetation, but in late spring and even early summer this duckling becomes a swan.
At the moment it’s covered in clusters of flowers that weep, each cluster between 20 and 30 centimetres long.
These white flowers, with their pale yellow centre, are also delicately perfumed, they are absolutely delightful.
So this plant grows without any fuss, no-one notices it for most of the year, but as soon as the flowers appear I am constantly being asked its name.
The flowers are followed by reddish to dark purple fruits which can easily be spread by birds.
I’ve noticed quite a number of small Portuguese laurels growing in the garden bed around our one specimen – so there is a weed potential with this plant. This evergreen plant is either a tall shrub or a small tree, it will reach about five to eight metres but of course if you prune then you can control the overall height and width.
It’s as a hedge plant that this plant excels, with dark, glossy leaves this plant responds beautifully to pruning and can be maintained easily and kept in shape.
Unpruned this plant will become quite wide, up to six metres, so if it isn’t a hedge you’re after then this plant could end up being a desirable shade tree.
This plant needs a well-drained soil and as long as the drainage is fine it isn’t fussy about what type of soil it’s growing in.
The Portuguese laurel will grow in full sun and even grow well in partial shade.
This plant is frost tolerant as well - this is a very hardy plant to have in the garden.
So use it as a hedge, a shade tree, a standard or even shape this plant into unusual shapes – it will respond beautifully and grow well in most locations.
Diary
Tomorrow, November 17, Anglican Parish, Rutherglen and Chiltern ‘Old Fashioned Garden Party’. At ‘Rosewood’ Garden, Barkly Street, Rutherglen, (opposite Chambers Winery), 10am – 3.30pm. Entry is $20, fruit cocktail on arrival and morning or afternoon tea with lunch.
Wear a garden party hat and get two free raffle tickets.
There are flower arranging demonstrations, care of garden equipment demonstrations, stalls, raffles and children’s games. Children are admitted for free.
If you have an event for inclusion in the garden diary email ddelahunty@wodongatafe.edu.au
Deb Delahunty is a horticulture teacher at Wodonga TAFE.
