Volcano Cherry Laurel

Botanical Name: Prunus laurocerasus ‘Volcano’

Common Name: Volcano Cherry Laurel

Mature Height and Width: 5-7’ Tall x 4-5’ Wide

Growth Habit: Upright when young, maturing to a broad, rounded to pyramidal evergreen tree form. Dense branching with strong central structure; can be maintained as a large shrub or small evergreen tree.

Foliage Description: Large, glossy, dark green leaves with a leathery texture. New growth often emerges lighter green before maturing to deep green. Foliage remains evergreen year-round in Zones 5–7.

Flower Description: Fragrant white flower spikes (racemes) borne upright in mid-spring; followed by small black ornamental fruit in summer (not typically ornamental in residential use).

Bloom Time: Mid-spring

Fall Color: Evergreen; no fall color change.

Light Requirements: Full sun to partial shade; performs well in both exposures in Zones 5–7.

Hardiness Zone: USDA Zones 6–9

Notable Landscape Uses:
Large evergreen screen; privacy hedge; windbreak planting; property border definition; background structure in mixed shrub borders; small evergreen tree for corner lot plantings; commercial buffer planting.

Deer Resistance: High
Volcano Cherry Laurel has proven to be highly resistant to deer browsing in Zones 6–7 and performs reliably in most suburban and semi-rural landscapes. Mature foliage is thick, leathery, and aromatic, making it unpalatable in typical browsing conditions. While no plant is completely deer-proof, significant damage is uncommon once established.