Side by side
Cherry laurel or leatherleaf viburnum? How to tell them apart
Prunus laurocerasus · Viburnum rhytidophyllum
How to tell them apart – cherry laurel: glossy, smooth leaves without wrinkles or felt; leatherleaf viburnum: large evergreen shrub with long, narrow, deeply wrinkled leaves that are thickly felted underneath, in frost the leaves hang limply down.
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How do you recognise them?
- Cherry laurel
- Evergreen, large glossy leaf without spines; upright clusters of white flowers.
- Compared with leatherleaf viburnum: glossy, smooth leaves without wrinkles or felt.
- Leatherleaf viburnum
- Large evergreen shrub with long, narrow, deeply wrinkled leaves that are thickly felted underneath; in frost the leaves hang limply down.
| Cherry laurel | Leatherleaf viburnum | |
|---|---|---|
| Leaves | Alternate, evergreen, leathery and glossy light green, 10–20 cm, edge smooth or shallowly toothed. A few small glands underneath near the base. | Opposite, 10–20 cm, oblong, untoothed or finely toothed, leathery; upper side dark green and deeply wrinkled, underside thickly felted grey to yellowish-brown. |
| Flowering | Upright spikes of small white flowers in April–May (April–May). | Flat heads (10–20 cm) of small, creamy white flowers in May–June; the flower buds are already visible all winter (May–June). |
| Fruit | Glossy black little cherries; seeds and leaves are poisonous. | Berries that turn from red to glossy black; mildly poisonous. |
| Bark | Grey-brown and smooth. | Young twigs and buds yellowish-brown and felted. |
| Shape and height | Shrub, 3–8 m, usually a shrub or hedge | Shrub, 3–5 m |
| Site | Sun to shade, any garden soil, normal | Sun to shade, any garden soil, normal |
| Native to Belgium | No, an invasive alien species | No, planted |
| Good for bees, butterflies and birds | Little | – |
| Poisonous to people and pets | Yes, take care with children and pets | Yes, take care with children and pets |
| Pruning months | May–June and August–September | June–July |
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.
- Leatherleaf viburnum is poisonous to people and pets: take care with children and animals.
Read on
- Plant profile: Cherry laurel
- Plant profile: Leatherleaf viburnum
- Cherry laurel: when and how to prune
- Leatherleaf viburnum: when and how to prune
- Identification key
Also looks like
This comparison is compiled from the Bladwijzer species pages.