Prunus lusitanica ‘Brenelia’ – Standards (Portuguese Laurel)

Prunus lusitanica Brenelia is a handsome plant and a real stalwart within the garden. Hardy, easy and evergreen, this is a selected form of Portuguese laurel where the simple structured leaves are a plain and dark green and much smaller but unlike Prunus lusitanica ‘Myrtifolia’, the leaves are softly flexed with wavy edges adding another point of interest and meaning that P.  lusitanica Brenelia lends itself to being shaped and clipped within the garden. The small white flowers are held on little spikes in high summer, but as with all topiary, if the plant is shaped regularly, the flowering spikes may well be cut off in the process so assume it’s plain green and enjoy the flowers if they appear…

Created by gardeners, the word 'standard' is used to describe a tree that has been grown with a clear trunk and foliage above.  The dark and dense foliage of Prunus lusitanica ‘Brenelia’  can be left in a loose and natural shape useful for screening, or equally, can be clipped to give a more structural aspect to the garden. In either case, the clear stem offers opportunities for underplanting. We generally have the P. lusitanica ‘Brenelia’ as half standards with trunks of 90cms or 100cms, where the heads have been clipped into a ball.  The full standards have trunks of 180cm or 200cm with a natural shape.

Real life William Morris wallpaper: ‘Brenelia’ is a new variety of Prunus lusitanica with slightly serrated, wavy-edged leaves that are deep green on top and dusty jade below with a deep, crisp fold down the middle. Full of texture and light. In spring all the new stems glow with the pinky- tawnyness of a turtle doves breast, and the colour combination is glorious to behold. Dew-dropped in rain? Breathtaking.

Enough of this: it’s a Prunus so you know it’s low-maintenance and an easy to establish and care for evergreen. No nonsense. These standard specimens are very regal and look rather posh clipped as they are into handsome lollipop shapes. Pair these with generous planters and elevate your entrance. Or give them a court of similarly clipped shrubs to reign over for height and evergreen interest that’s playful but sophisticated. Trim it once or twice a year to maintain the shape and plant it anywhere: this is one of those rather rare shade-tolerant architectural trees that won’t sulk against a north-facing wall or slightly shadowy city garden. Happy in all soils but not waterlogged: no one likes soggy feet. Pots are a definite benefit if you’re swampy or, indeed, entirely paved.