Carolina Cherry Laurel

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Size
Regular price $68.00

10% off, $99
15% off, $249
20% off, $449

*Discount Auto-Applies at Checkout

$1500+, BUNDLE20 for 20% off
$3000+, BUNDLE30 for 30% off
$7000+, Contact our sales team

For questions on bulk order discounts
Please contact us at sales@simplytrees.com

1 gallon, 6"
3 gallon, 8 to 10"
5 gallon, 10 to 12"
7 gallon, 14"
10 gallon, 15 to 17"
15 gallon, 17"
"Jumbo", 10 or 15 gallon

Please Note: Sizing can differ between plant varieties. Please chat with us if you need clarification.

For more information on sizing, please see our guide.

Carolina Cherry Laurel is a lush, fast-growing evergreen prized for its glossy foliage and natural ability to create dense, year-round privacy. This durable landscape favorite thrives in warm climates and adapts easily to pruning, making it perfect for hedges, screens, and foundation plantings. In spring, it produces fragrant white flower clusters that attract pollinators and add seasonal charm to the garden.

  • Botanical name: Prunus caroliniana
  • Bloom time: Spring
  • Evergreen
  • Grown in the USA

SUNLIGHT:
Grows best in full sun to partial shade.

WATER:
Water deeply once a week during establishment. Once mature, water every 10–14 days during dry spells.

LEVEL OF CARE: EASY
Carolina Cherry Laurel is low-maintenance, heat tolerant, and adaptable to various landscape conditions.

PET-FRIENDLY?:
This plant is not pet-safe if ingested; keep away from pets and livestock.

Note: Carolina Cherry Laurel can be trimmed heavily to maintain size and shape, making it ideal for formal or informal hedges. Its berries and leaves contain compounds that can be harmful if eaten, so it’s best planted where pets and grazing animals cannot access it.

PLANT DESCRIPTION & MATURE SIZE

Carolina Cherry Laurel is a hardy, fast-growing evergreen shrub or small tree known for its rich, glossy green foliage and natural ability to create privacy. This versatile landscape plant thrives in full sun to partial shade and forms dense, year-round coverage, making it ideal for hedges, screens, and foundation plantings. Its fragrant white spring blooms and dark berries add seasonal interest while remaining low-maintenance and dependable in warm climates.

GROWTH RATE & MATURE SIZE:

Fast growth rate. Reaches 15–30 ft tall and 10–20 ft wide at maturity, depending on pruning.

WATERING & SUNLIGHT

Water deeply once a week during the first growing season to establish strong roots. Once established, it becomes drought tolerant and typically needs watering every 10–14 days during dry periods. Carolina Cherry Laurel grows best in full sun to partial shade. It develops denser foliage and faster growth when planted in full sun.

PLANT CARE & PLANTING INSTRUCTIONS

Pruning: Prune in late winter or early spring to shape and maintain density. Carolina Cherry Laurel responds extremely well to trimming and can be kept as a hedge or small tree.

Fertilization: Feed with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring to support healthy evergreen growth. Mulching around the base can also help retain moisture and improve soil quality.

Winter Protection: Generally hardy in Zones 7–10 and requires no winter protection in those regions. Add mulch around the root zone in colder areas of Zone 7 to insulate roots during hard freezes.

PLANTING INSTRUCTIONS:

Plant Carolina Cherry Laurel in well-drained soil and a location that receives full sun to partial shade. Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball, place the plant so the top of the root ball is level with the surrounding soil, and backfill firmly. Water thoroughly after planting to eliminate air pockets and encourage root establishment. Apply mulch around the base to maintain soil moisture and suppress weeds. Continue watering weekly for the first growing season.

USDA GROW ZONE:

Zones 7-10

Carolina Cherry Laurel thrives in warm, mild climates and performs exceptionally well in the southern United States. It tolerates heat, humidity, and drought once established, making it a popular choice for low-maintenance landscaping. In cooler parts of its grow range, it remains reliably evergreen and sturdy. Because it grows quickly and forms dense foliage, it is especially valued for creating year-round privacy screens.

Frequently Asked Questions

Carolina Cherry Laurel typically grows 15–30 feet tall and 10–20 feet wide, though regular pruning can keep it much smaller for hedge or screen use.

Carolina Cherry Laurel is a fast-growing evergreen, often adding 2–3 feet of growth per year in ideal conditions.

Yes, Carolina Cherry Laurel is evergreen, keeping its glossy foliage year-round and providing consistent privacy in all seasons.

Yes — once established, Carolina Cherry Laurel is highly drought tolerant, making it a great option for low-maintenance landscapes.

Carolina Cherry Laurel grows best in full sun to partial shade, with fuller, denser foliage when planted in more sun.

No, Carolina Cherry Laurel is not pet-friendly. Its leaves and berries can be toxic if ingested, so keep pets and livestock away.

During the first growing season, water at least once a week. After establishment, water every 10–14 days during hot or dry periods.

Yes — Carolina Cherry Laurel is one of the best evergreen hedging plants, responding extremely well to trimming and shaping.

Carolina Cherry Laurel thrives in well-drained soil and tolerates a wide range of soil types, including clay and sandy soils.

Yes, Carolina Cherry Laurel produces small black berries after flowering in spring. They add seasonal interest but should not be eaten.

More Details

We process and ship your order as quickly as possible, typically within 1-3 business days. You will receive a shipping confirmation with tracking information once your item(s) ship.

We have perfected packaging and shipping plants & trees! That is why we DO NOT use any third-party fulfillment like most other online retailers. Your trees go straight from our farm to your door, safely packaged by our team of seasoned professionals. Our process ensures your plants leave our facility and arrive to your door in the best condition possible!

In cases of extreme cold or hot weather, we may temporarily delay shipping to ensure the well-being of your plants. Our primary focus is on delivering healthy and thriving plants to you. Rest assured, we'll make every effort to notify you of any delays promptly.

Please allow additional ship times during inclement weather and sale periods. We do not process or ship orders on the weekend or U.S. Holidays. Simply Trees is not responsible for delays due to carriers, local disruptions, or weather.

See how we pack your plants!

Learn more about our Shipping Policy

At Simply Trees, we're committed to your satisfaction. If your plants arrive considerably damaged or sustained damage beyond the point of recovery, please contact us within five days at sales@simplytrees.com with clear photos of the entire plant in question for assistance. Our 1 year guarantee covers issues after planting, subject to our terms. We can't cover plants in the wrong climate or with inadequate care, but we're here to help in other situations. For a detailed understanding of our 1 year guarantee and how we ensure a fair process, click here to learn more.

All California orders require a mandatory inspection by the Texas Department of Agriculture (yep, it’s a USDA thing!). These inspections happen about once a week—typically on Tuesdays, though the day can vary. If you place an order just after an inspection, your plant may not ship for several days until the next one. Unfortunately, we’re not able to expedite this part of the process.

Also, due to USDA regulations, we’re unable to ship oak trees, citrus or fruit trees (except olive trees) to California. This rule helps prevent the spread of pests and diseases and applies to nurseries across the country.

Thanks for your patience—we’ll make sure it’s worth the wait.

What's inside?

Your order from Simply Trees is more than just a box of plants—it’s a carefully curated experience. Here’s what’s inside:

  • We hand-select our plants for premium-quality from top growers nationwide
  • Each plant is then cleaned, prepped, and pruned to remove any blemishes and encourage new growth
  • Expertly treated and inspected for preventative measure
  • The pot is wrapped in a durable plastic bag and secured with a zip tie; house plants get extra protection with a recyclable nursery bag
  • Your plant is strapped into our durable double-pane boxes, secured in place with a heavy-duty zip tie to ensure safe transit
  • A thank you card with a QR code leads to our guide on welcoming your new plants home

We take pride in making sure every detail is just right, so you can enjoy your new greenery from the moment it arrives.

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