Skip Laurel

Botanical Name: Prunus laurocerasus ‘Schipkaensis’

Common Name: Schip Laurel (Schip Cherry Laurel)

Mature Height and Width:
10–12' tall × 6–8' wide (unpruned)

Growth Habit: Dense, upright to broadly spreading evergreen shrub with strong basal branching. Naturally forms a substantial screening hedge but maintains softer outer contours when untrimmed. Moderate to fast growth rate.

Foliage Description: Narrow, glossy dark green evergreen leaves with smooth margins. More refined and narrower than standard cherry laurel types.

Flower Description: Upright white flower spikes borne in spring; lightly fragrant. Followed by small dark ornamental berries.

Bloom Time: Mid to late spring

Fall Color: Evergreen

Light Requirements: Full sun to partial shade; adaptable and shade tolerant.

Hardiness Zone: USDA Zones 6–9

Notable Landscape Uses:
Privacy screening; foundation hedge; property line buffer; evergreen mass planting; sound barrier planting; structured landscape backdrop.

Deer Resistance: Moderate-High
Generally not a preferred browse, though young growth may be sampled under heavy pressure. Established plants typically recover well.