Prunus lusitanica ‘Brenelia’ Espaliers
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Description
Prunus lusitanica ‘Brenelia’ – Pleached (Portuguese Laurel)
Quick Facts
- Common Name: Portuguese Laurel, Cherry Laurel
- Botanical Name: Prunus lusitanica ‘Brenelia’
- Plant Type: Evergreen pleached tree
- Mature Height: 3-4m (as pleached form)
- Mature Spread: 2-3m
- Flowering Period: May-June
- Flower Colour: Creamy white, fragrant racemes
- Foliage: Glossy dark green, leathery leaves with red stems
- Hardiness: RHS H5 (-15°C to -10°C)
- Soil Requirements: Well-drained, tolerates most soil types
- Aspect: Full sun to partial shade
- Maintenance: Low to moderate
Description
Available in two stem heights, the Prunus lusitanica ‘Brenelia’ in its elegant pleached form brings architectural sophistication to Irish gardens, creating living walls of lustrous emerald that dance gracefully with our changeable coastal breezes. This distinguished Portuguese laurel has been carefully trained into horizontal tiers, offering instant structure and year-round privacy whilst maintaining the refined beauty that makes it a favourite amongst discerning gardeners.
In late spring, this magnificent specimen adorns itself with cascades of sweetly scented, creamy white flowers that emerge in elegant racemes, creating a breathtaking display against the glossy, dark green foliage. The distinctive red stems add a subtle warmth to the overall composition, whilst the leathery leaves catch and reflect our precious Irish sunlight, creating ever-changing patterns of light and shadow throughout the seasons.
The ‘Brenelia’ cultivar is particularly well-suited to our Irish climate, showing remarkable resilience to coastal winds and salt spray whilst maintaining its compact, dense growth habit. This pleached form offers the perfect solution for creating instant hedging, screening unsightly views, or defining garden rooms with living architecture that grows more beautiful with each passing year.
Pair this stunning pleached laurel with underplantings of Heuchera or Astilbe for contrasting textures, or create a formal parterre effect with clipped box hedging below. Its architectural form makes it ideal for contemporary Irish gardens, whilst its classical elegance suits traditional settings equally well.
Caragh Garden Notebook
Planting: Space pleached specimens 2-3 metres apart for screening, or closer at 1.5-2 metres for denser coverage. Dig planting holes twice the width of the root ball and the same depth. Incorporate well-rotted compost into heavy clay soils to improve drainage.
Soil Preparation: Thrives in most soil types with pH 6.0-7.5. Ensure good drainage as waterlogged conditions can cause root rot. In very sandy soils, add organic matter to improve moisture retention.
Aftercare: Water regularly during the first growing season to establish strong roots. Apply a 5cm mulch of bark chips around the base, keeping clear of the trunk. Feed annually in early spring with a balanced slow-release fertiliser.
Pruning: Maintain pleached form by pruning twice yearly – once in late spring after flowering, and again in late summer. Trim new growth back to the established framework, preserving the horizontal tiers. Remove any vertical shoots that break the pleached outline.
Container Growing: Suitable for large containers (minimum 60cm diameter). Container specimens require more frequent watering and annual feeding.
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