Prunus lusitanica 'Tico' – Compact, Hardy & Elegant Laurel with Glossy Foliage and Fragrant Flowers
Prunus lusitanica 'Tico', commonly known as Portuguese Laurel 'Tico,' is a compact, evergreen shrub prized for its glossy, dark green foliage, dense form, and delicate white flowers. This variety of Portuguese Laurel is ideal for small to medium-sized gardens, providing structure, texture, and year-round beauty. It is perfect for creating neat hedges, screening plants, or even as a specimen shrub, offering elegance and versatility to various garden styles.
Seasonal Beauty & Growth
-
Spring: New growth emerges with rich, glossy green leaves, and in late spring to early summer, clusters of small, white, fragrant flowers bloom, attracting bees and butterflies.
-
Summer: The foliage remains vibrant and glossy, maintaining its neat, compact form, while the white flowers provide additional seasonal interest and fragrance.
-
Autumn: The evergreen leaves retain their glossy green color, providing a continuous backdrop in the garden. Small, red fruits may form after flowering, adding further seasonal interest.
-
Winter: The lush green foliage stands out in the winter landscape, offering year-round structure and color, with minimal maintenance required during the colder months.
Structure & Form
-
Foliage: The evergreen leaves are dark green, glossy, and lance-shaped, providing a polished appearance that remains vibrant throughout the year.
-
Flowers: In late spring to early summer, Prunus lusitanica 'Tico' produces clusters of small, fragrant white flowers, creating a delicate and pleasant fragrance that attracts pollinators like bees.
Perfect for Various Landscapes
-
Compact Hedges & Screens: Prunus lusitanica 'Tico' is perfect for creating compact, dense hedges and screens, providing year-round privacy and shelter in small to medium-sized gardens.
-
Mixed Borders: Adds texture and visual interest to mixed borders, where its glossy leaves and fragrant flowers contrast beautifully with the other plants in the garden.
-
Urban & Coastal Gardens: Hardy and adaptable, this shrub thrives in urban and coastal environments, tolerating various soil types and weather conditions, including pollution and salt spray.
-
Foundation Planting: Ideal for planting near building foundations, creating a neat, evergreen backdrop that complements other plants while adding structure and elegance to the landscape.
Growing Conditions & Care
-
Position: Thrives in full sun to partial shade, with best results in areas that receive some sun. It is highly adaptable to different light conditions, making it a versatile choice for a variety of garden locations.
-
Soil: Prefers well-drained, slightly acidic to neutral soil but can tolerate a range of soil types, including sandy, loamy, and clay soils, as long as they are not waterlogged.
-
Hardiness: Hardy,suitable for temperate climates, tolerating cold winters as well as heat and drought once established.
-
Maintenance: Low-maintenance and easy to care for. Occasional pruning helps maintain its shape, particularly for hedges or screens. It is resistant to most pests and diseases, making it an excellent choice for a low-maintenance garden.
Why Choose Prunus lusitanica 'Tico'?
-
Compact & Elegant: Its smaller, dense form makes Prunus lusitanica 'Tico' ideal for smaller gardens, creating elegant hedges, borders, or as a specimen plant.
-
Fragrant Flowers: The fragrant white flowers in late spring to early summer provide a delightful scent, attracting pollinators and adding seasonal beauty to the landscape.
-
Hardy & Versatile: This shrub is adaptable to a wide range of conditions, thriving in various soil types and tolerating urban and coastal environments.
-
Low-Maintenance: With minimal pruning required and resistance to most pests and diseases, Prunus lusitanica 'Tico' is perfect for gardeners seeking a reliable, easy-care plant.
Perfect Plant Combinations
-
Evergreens: Pair with other evergreen shrubs like Boxwood, Yew, or Laurel to create a lush green backdrop and provide contrast with the glossy foliage of Prunus lusitanica 'Tico'.
-
Flowering Shrubs: Combine with flowering shrubs like Camellias, Rhododendrons, or Azaleas for added color and seasonal interest alongside the laurel’s fragrant blooms.
-
Perennials: Add perennials such as Hostas, Lavender, or Geraniums to create a layered garden that contrasts beautifully with the dense foliage and compact form of Prunus lusitanica 'Tico'.
-
Grasses & Groundcovers: Use ornamental grasses like Festuca or groundcovers like Ajuga to provide texture and movement that contrasts nicely with the shrub’s upright, dense form.
Prunus lusitanica 'Tico' is a hardy, compact, and elegant shrub that offers year-round beauty, fragrance, and structure to any garden. Whether used for creating a neat hedge, privacy screen, or as part of a mixed border, its glossy evergreen leaves, fragrant white flowers, and resilience to various growing conditions make it a versatile and low-maintenance choice. Prunus lusitanica 'Tico' is the perfect addition to small gardens, urban spaces, or coastal environments where a reliable, attractive shrub is needed.
Does the height include the pot?
No, we measure from the top of the pot to the tip of the plant except for some of the instant planted screens, in this case it will be stated in the description
How long does delivery take?
Most orders are delivered in just a few days, Smaller items are often sent with Parcelforce on a next day service, Larger items should allow up to 10 days due to the size of the items they often have to be sent on our own transport.
Where will you leave my plants?
We will leave your order at the front of your property, Parcelforce may
leave your items in a safe place if you let us know, Pallet couriers
will require a flat hard surface to deliver to, no gravel or soil, a
driveway or parking spot would be best. Most importantly Deliveries by
pallet courier will require access for a large truck (bin lorry sized)
to get near the delivery point. Deliveries sent on our own transport may come in a small van or larger truck.
