Side by side
Cherry laurel or oleaster? How to tell them apart
Prunus laurocerasus · Elaeagnus
How to tell them apart – cherry laurel: glossy leaves without a silvery underside; oleaster: evergreen shrub with leathery leaves that are silvery-scaled underneath, fragrant little flowers in autumn.
How do you recognise them?
- Cherry laurel
- Evergreen, large glossy leaf without spines; upright clusters of white flowers.
- Compared with oleaster: glossy leaves without a silvery underside.
- Oleaster
- Evergreen shrub with leathery leaves that are silvery-scaled underneath; fragrant little flowers in autumn.
| Cherry laurel | Oleaster | |
|---|---|---|
| Leaves | Alternate, evergreen, leathery and glossy light green, 10–20 cm, edge smooth or shallowly toothed. A few small glands underneath near the base. | Alternate, oval, 5–10 cm, untoothed; dark green above, silvery white below with rust-brown scales. |
| Flowering | Upright spikes of small white flowers in April–May (April–May). | Small, silvery-white, very fragrant flowers in October–November (October–November). |
| Fruit | Glossy black little cherries; seeds and leaves are poisonous. | Small, red, edible berries in spring. |
| Bark | Grey-brown and smooth. | Young shoots covered in brown scales. |
| Shape and height | Shrub, 3–8 m, usually a shrub or hedge | Shrub, 2–4 m |
| Site | Sun to shade, any garden soil, normal | Sun to shade, any garden soil, dry to wet |
| Native to Belgium | No, an invasive alien species | No, planted |
| Good for bees, butterflies and birds | Little | Yes, for bees and birds |
| Poisonous to people and pets | Yes, take care with children and pets | Not known to be poisonous |
| Pruning months | May–June and August–September | May–June and August–September |
What does it mean for your garden?
- Cherry laurel is an invasive non-native species: do not plant it. Pull up seedlings and choose a native species instead.
- Cherry laurel is poisonous to people and pets: take care with children and animals.
Read on
- Plant profile: Cherry laurel
- Plant profile: Oleaster
- Cherry laurel: when and how to prune
- Oleaster: when and how to prune
- Identification key: the question that separates them
Also looks like
- Bay laurel or cherry laurel
- Spotted laurel or cherry laurel
- Camellia or cherry laurel
- Photinia or cherry laurel
- Holly or cherry laurel
- Cherry laurel or leatherleaf viburnum
- Cherry laurel or rhododendron
- Cherry laurel or Japanese skimmia
Identify by feature
This comparison is compiled from the Bladwijzer species pages.