Prunus laurocerasus 'Zsófi' SOFIA cherry laurel, common laurel, English laurel
Prunus
We are specialists in evergreen plants and we offer the widest possible range of quality plants hardy in Central Europe. English (cherry) laurel is probably the most common and reliable species. SOFIA is a Hungarian variety from 2020 and an attractive addition to the family of new and hardy varieties from Hungarian breeders. It was granted an EU patent 53851 in 2020, and a year before it won Gold Medal at a prestigious fair of novelties Plantarium 2019.
SOFIA is a dwarf cherry laurel that can easily be mistaken for a holy because of its distinctly serrated (not spiny) leaves. Hoar frost makes a picturesque sight in autumn and winter and you will want to make a photo of them every time you pass them by. They are evergreen, leathery, narrowly lance-shaped, dark green, and glossy. The plant is compact, slow growing (5-15 cm per year), densely branched, and reaches about 1.5 m in height and width in maturity. Flowers have not been observed so far. Pruning is possible in mid spring before new leaves emerge or in mid summer.
Laurels need slightly deep and fertile, acidic, moist soil, and extra watering in frost-free periods in winter to prevent from drying out before the ground gets frozen. It will thrive in full sun or part shade, and will also tolerate being grown in full shade. It seldom suffers from chlorosis (leaves turning yellow owing to lack of iron in the soil) but when it does use a special liquid soil pH balancer to keep it acidic which will help the plant absorb iron. The breeder confirms hardiness to at least -25 °C (USDA zone 5b) without any injury, however, the plant has not been tested in harsher condition yet and may take a few degrees lower.
Last update 09-09-2021
