Otto Luyken English Laurel

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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", 7 or 10 or 15 gallon

*Nursery gallon sizes are trade sizes and do not equal standard liquid gallons

**Pot sizes in inches refer to container width (diameter), not plant or pot height.


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

For more information on sizing, please see our guide.

Otto Luyken English Laurel is a compact, evergreen shrub with glossy, dark green leaves and small, white, fragrant flowers that appear in the spring. Its versatility and shade tolerance make it a reliable choice for low hedges, foundation plantings, and evergreen borders. This low-maintenance shrub provides year-round greenery and structure to the landscape.

  • Botanical name: Prunus laurocerasus 'Otto Luyken'
  • Bloom time: Spring
  • Evergreen
  • Grown in the USA

SUNLIGHT:
Prefers full sun to partial shade but tolerates full shade.

WATER:
Water when the top 2–3 inches of soil begin to dry. Approximately once or twice per week during establishment, then less frequently once established. Watering frequency may vary based on climate and establishment phase.

IDEAL CLIMATE:
Hardy in USDA Zones 6–8. Otto Luyken Laurel adapts well to a variety of climates and performs especially well in shaded landscapes.

Note: Otto Luyken Laurel naturally grows wider than it does tall, making it ideal for low hedges and layered landscape plantings.

PLANT DESCRIPTION & MATURE SIZE

Otto Luyken English Laurel, scientifically known as Prunus laurocerasus ‘Otto Luyken’, is a compact evergreen shrub prized for its glossy dark green foliage and dense growth habit. This versatile shrub produces upright white flower spikes in spring followed by small dark berries that attract birds. With its manageable size and year-round greenery, Otto Luyken Laurel is a popular choice for foundation plantings, low hedges, and evergreen privacy borders.

GROWTH RATE & MATURE SIZE:

Moderate growth rate. Otto Luyken Laurel typically grows 1–2 feet per year and reaches 3–4 feet tall and 6–8 feet wide at maturity.

WATERING & SUNLIGHT

Water deeply once or twice per week during the first growing season to establish roots. Once established, Otto Luyken Laurel is moderately drought tolerant, though it performs best with occasional deep watering during extended dry periods. Watering frequency will vary based on climate, sunlight exposure, and soil conditions.

Otto Luyken Laurel grows best in full sun to partial shade, but also tolerates full shade.

PLANT CARE & PLANTING INSTRUCTIONS

PRUNING:
Prune in late spring or early summer after flowering to maintain shape and encourage dense growth. Minimal pruning is typically needed due to its naturally compact habit.

FERTILIZING:
Apply a balanced slow-release shrub fertilizer in early spring to support healthy foliage and growth. Avoid fertilizing for the first 2–3 months after delivery to allow the plant to adjust and establish.

WINTER PROTECTION:
Otto Luyken Laurel is cold hardy within its recommended zones and generally requires no special winter protection once established. Applying 2–3 inches of mulch around the base can help protect roots and retain moisture.

PLANTING INSTRUCTIONS:

Choose a planting location with well-draining soil and full sun to shade exposure. Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and about the same depth as the container. Place the shrub in the hole, backfill with soil, and gently firm to remove air pockets. Water thoroughly after planting. Apply 2–3 inches of mulch around the base to retain moisture and regulate soil temperature.

USDA GROW ZONE:

Zones 6-9

The Otto Luyken English Laurel is adaptable across USDA zones 6-9. It tolerates both sun and shade, adapts to different soil types, and performs well in residential landscapes. This evergreen shrub is especially valued for its ability to provide year-round structure and greenery in shaded areas where many other shrubs struggle.

Frequently Asked Questions

Otto Luyken Laurel typically grows 3–4 feet tall and 6–8 feet wide, forming a dense, spreading shrub.

This shrub has a moderate growth rate, typically growing about 1–2 feet per year.

Plant in a location with well-draining soil and full sun to shade exposure.

Plant about 5–6 feet apart for a full hedge or border planting.

Yes. It is an evergreen shrub, keeping its glossy foliage year-round.

Yes. It is highly shade tolerant and performs well in areas where many shrubs struggle.

The white flower spikes typically bloom for several weeks during spring.

Yes. Its dense growth and evergreen foliage make it excellent for low hedges and screening.

No. It naturally maintains a tidy form and only requires occasional shaping.

Otto Luyken Laurel is known for its naturally dense, compact growth habit, helping it stay full from top to bottom with minimal pruning. This makes it a great option for homeowners looking for a tidy, evergreen hedge or foundation shrub without a lot of maintenance.

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. Some Jumbo plants may be carefully removed from their nursery pot and burlapped to protect the rootball and ensure safe transit.
  • 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.

SUSTAINABLE SHIPPING, QUALITY CARE

We've perfected the art of packaging and shipping plants and trees! Unlike most online retailers, we handle everything in-house—no third-party fulfillment. Our experienced team carefully packages your plants to ensure they arrive from our farm to your door in perfect condition.