Common name: Cherry Laurel

Description: Prunus laurocerasus 'Sofia' is an upright, compact cherry laurel producing attractive, glossy, mid-green leaves on a naturally narrow and tidy plant. This more restrained variety is ideal for smaller gardens or tighter spaces where the vigour of 'Rotundifolia' might be excessive. It makes a neat, manageable formal hedge or screen and requires less frequent clipping to maintain its shape. In spring, white flower spikes attract bees, and the subsequent berries provide autumn food for birds.

Other benefits: compact and manageable, less vigorous than standard laurel, suitable for smaller gardens

Wildlife attraction: bees visit the flowers; birds eat the berries

Height & spread (approx.) at 10 years: 3m x 2m (unclipped)

Position: full sun to full shade

Soil pH: neutral; adaptable

Moisture: moist but well-drained

Winter hardiness: cold hardy to -20°C