Side by side
Cherry laurel or Japanese skimmia? How to tell them apart
Prunus laurocerasus · Skimmia japonica
How to tell them apart – cherry laurel: a much larger shrub with big, glossy leaves; Japanese skimmia: low evergreen shrub with aromatic leaves at the shoot tips and red flower buds in winter.
How do you recognise them?
- Cherry laurel
- Evergreen, large glossy leaf without spines; upright clusters of white flowers.
- Compared with Japanese skimmia: a much larger shrub with big, glossy leaves.
- Japanese skimmia
- Low evergreen shrub with aromatic leaves at the shoot tips and red flower buds in winter.
| Cherry laurel | Japanese skimmia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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, in rosettes at the shoot tips, 5–10 cm, untoothed; aromatic when crushed. |
| Flowering | Upright spikes of small white flowers in April–May (April–May). | Red or pink buds all winter; small, fragrant white flowers in March–April (March–May). |
| Fruit | Glossy black little cherries; seeds and leaves are poisonous. | Red berries on female plants (with a male plant nearby); poisonous. |
| Bark | Grey-brown and smooth. | Greenish to grey. |
| Shape and height | Shrub, 3–8 m, usually a shrub or hedge | Shrub, 0.5–1.5 m |
| Site | Sun to shade, any garden soil, normal | Partial shade or shade, acid soil, normal |
| Native to Belgium | No, an invasive alien species | No, planted |
| Good for bees, butterflies and birds | Little | Yes, for bees |
| 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 | April–May |
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.
- Japanese skimmia is poisonous to people and pets: take care with children and animals.
Read on
- Plant profile: Cherry laurel
- Plant profile: Japanese skimmia
- Cherry laurel: when and how to prune
- Japanese skimmia: 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 oleaster
- Cherry laurel or leatherleaf viburnum
- Cherry laurel or rhododendron
Identify by feature
This comparison is compiled from the Bladwijzer species pages.