{"product_id":"carolina-cherry-laurel-prunus-caroliniana","title":"Prunus Caroliniana Compacta (Carolina Cherry Laurel)","description":"\u003ch2\u003eThe Perfect Privacy Screen That Grows Fast and Stays Green Year-Round\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCarolina cherry laurel is a fast-growing native evergreen tree that delivers dense, year-round screening without the years-long wait that comes with slower-growing alternatives. This broadleaf evergreen reaches up to 20 feet tall in compact form and fills in rapidly-growing 2–3 feet per year under favorable conditions-creating a lush, impenetrable privacy wall in just a couple of seasons. Native to the southeastern United States from coastal North Carolina through central Florida and west to Texas, \u003cem\u003ePrunus caroliniana\u003c\/em\u003e thrives across California's mild climates, making it one of the smartest choices for homeowners who want fast, beautiful, and low-maintenance privacy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy You'll Love It\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFast Privacy\u003c\/strong\u003e – This upright evergreen shrub puts on 2–3 feet of height annually, filling gaps and creating a solid screen far faster than most evergreen hedging options.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eYear-Round Beauty\u003c\/strong\u003e – Dark green leaves stay glossy and dense through every season, with leaves 2 to 4 inches long that emit a cherry-like fragrance when crushed-reminiscent of maraschino cherries.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLow Maintenance\u003c\/strong\u003e – Prunus caroliniana is \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/useyardwork.com\/blogs\/news\/best-privacy-bushes-top-varieties-for-your-secluded-sanctuary\"\u003edrought tolerant\u003c\/a\u003e once established, requiring minimal supplemental irrigation after the first year.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFragrant Blooms\u003c\/strong\u003e – Carolina cherry-laurel blooms with small, fragrant white flowers in late winter to early spring, providing a valuable nectar source for early spring pollinators including bees and butterflies.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVersatile Form\u003c\/strong\u003e – Grow it as a dense hedge, a natural windbreak, or train it as a specimen plant or small tree-this species adapts to whatever shape your landscape demands.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat Makes It Different\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMost privacy plants force you into a compromise. Slow-growing evergreens like holly take years to reach useful height. Fast-growing deciduous options like poplars lose their leaves-and your privacy-every winter. Non-native species like \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/useyardwork.com\/blogs\/news\/english-laurel-hedge-everything-you-should-know\"\u003eEnglish laurel\u003c\/a\u003e can become invasive and offer less ecological value.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCarolina cherry laurel\u003c\/strong\u003e offers:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDense Growth Pattern\u003c\/strong\u003e – The naturally thick branching habit and glossy, oblong foliage create a full visual barrier without the sparse, twiggy gaps common in other hedging shrubs. Green twigs fill in quickly between branches for seamless coverage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCalifornia Climate Adapted\u003c\/strong\u003e – Carolina cherry-laurel generally thrives in \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Prunus_caroliniana\"\u003eUSDA Zones 7–10\u003c\/a\u003e, handling drought, heat, and even moderate coastal salt exposure. It tolerates clay, sand, and loam soils-practically any well drained soil you have.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMulti-Season Interest\u003c\/strong\u003e – Beyond year-round evergreen screening, this plant delivers fragrant spring flowers from February through April, followed by shiny black drupes (1\/3 to 1\/2 inch long) that persist into winter and attract songbirds, small mammals, and other wildlife. It even serves as a host plant for several butterfly species including Eastern Tiger Swallowtail and Red-spotted Purple.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHow To Grow Prunus Caroliniana Successfully In Your Landscape\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlant in Row\u003c\/strong\u003e Space plants 6–8 feet apart for a dense hedge or privacy screen that fills in quickly. For a standalone screening tree or specimen plant, allow 10–12 feet between plantings to accommodate the mature spread of 15–25 feet.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEstablish Roots\u003c\/strong\u003e Water regularly during the first year to develop a deep, resilient root system. Deep watering rather than frequent shallow irrigation promotes stronger drought resilience. After establishment, this plant becomes drought tolerant and needs only occasional supplemental water.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEnjoy Growth\u003c\/strong\u003e Watch as your Carolina cherry laurel fills in to create a solid, living privacy wall. Within 2–3 years, you'll have a lush, impenetrable screen that stays green 365 days a year.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePlant Details\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMature Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e Prunus caroliniana grows 20 feet tall in compact form; can reach 20–30 ft with a 15–25 ft spread in open landscape settings\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGrowth Rate:\u003c\/strong\u003e Fast - 2–3 feet per year in California climates; up to \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/plantnative.org\/native-plants\/cherry-laurel-prunus-caroliniana.htm\"\u003e4 feet per year in high-moisture native range areas\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHardiness Zones:\u003c\/strong\u003e 7–10 (ideal for California)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSun Requirements:\u003c\/strong\u003e This plant thrives in full sun to full shade, with best density and flowering in full sun; acceptable in partial shade\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil Needs:\u003c\/strong\u003e Prefers well-drained soil; highly adaptable to clay, sand, and loam. Avoid waterlogged conditions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater Requirements:\u003c\/strong\u003e Low to moderate once established. Over-irrigation can cause chlorosis and death-or root rot in container plants.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBark:\u003c\/strong\u003e Reddish brown when young, smooth, darkening with age to gray\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFlowers:\u003c\/strong\u003e White, fragrant, creamy-white racemes that appear in late winter to early spring\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFruit:\u003c\/strong\u003e Shiny black drupe, 1\/3 to 1\/2 inch long, eaten by birds and small mammals\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFoliage:\u003c\/strong\u003e Dark green, glossy, dense leaves that produce a scent reminiscent of maraschino cherries when crushed\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIdeal for:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHomeowners seeking fast-growing privacy\u003c\/strong\u003e screening from neighbors, streets, or unsightly views\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProperty owners wanting year-round evergreen beauty\u003c\/strong\u003e with minimal maintenance and no winter leaf drop\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGarden enthusiasts\u003c\/strong\u003e looking for California-friendly plants that support local wildlife-the flowers of Carolina cherry-laurel are a valuable nectar source for early spring pollinators, and it attracts bees and birds with its flowers and fruit\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAnyone needing windbreak protection\u003c\/strong\u003e or noise reduction, or wanting to naturalize property borders with a beautiful, low-effort \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/useyardwork.com\/collections\/tall-evergreen-hedging-plants-for-sale\"\u003etall evergreen hedge\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you want dense, fast, year-round privacy that also supports pollinators and wildlife, this plant fits your needs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow fast does Carolina Cherry Laurel grow?\u003c\/strong\u003e Under favorable California conditions with full sun and well drained soil, expect \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/useyardwork.com\/blogs\/news\/carolina-laurel-cherry-growth-rate-prunus-caroliniana\"\u003e1–2 feet of new growth per year\u003c\/a\u003e, with some plants pushing 2–3 feet annually in optimal microclimates. In its native deep south range where humidity and moisture are higher, growth can reach 2–4 feet per year.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes it need much water in California?\u003c\/strong\u003e Prunus caroliniana is drought-tolerant once established-typically after the first 1–2 years of regular watering. During establishment, water deeply and consistently. After that, low to moderate irrigation is sufficient. Be careful not to overwater: over-irrigation can cause chlorosis and death, and root rot in container plants.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan I keep it as a hedge or does it have to grow tall?\u003c\/strong\u003e Carolina cherry-laurel can tolerate heavy pruning, making it excellent for formal hedges where you want to control size and shape. You can maintain it at virtually any height. Alternatively, let it grow naturally into a pyramidal or rounded small tree up to 20–30 feet tall. Prune in late winter or just after flowering for best results.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill it attract bees and birds to my yard?\u003c\/strong\u003e Absolutely. The fragrant spring flowers are highly attractive to bees and other early-season pollinators at a time when few other plants are blooming. The shiny black fruits ripen in late summer through fall and persist into winter, drawing songbirds, quail, wild turkey, and small mammals like raccoons and foxes. The dense foliage also provides nesting cover and thermal shelter for birds.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat spacing do I need for a privacy hedge?\u003c\/strong\u003e For a dense privacy hedge that interlocks quickly, space plants 6–8 feet apart. For specimen trees or a more open screening effect, allow 10–12 feet between plantings. Tighter spacing of 3–5 feet can be used for formal, tightly sheared hedges.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAre there any concerns I should know about?\u003c\/strong\u003e Yes-bitter leaves and twigs are potentially poisonous due to cyanogenic glycosides, so exercise caution around children, pets, and livestock. The plant can become weedy in certain environments if left unmanaged, as Carolina cherry-laurel can naturalize in suburban fencerows and along property lines due to prolific seed spread. Seedlings may sprout beneath parent plants and bird perching sites. Prunus caroliniana is also susceptible to verticillium wilt, and common pests include mites, borers, and caterpillars. Leaf spot, fire-blight, and stem canker are common diseases, particularly when plants are stressed by poor drainage or overwatering. It can be used for naturalizing in low-maintenance gardens where some self-seeding is welcome.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eReady to Create Your Privacy Paradise?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCarolina cherry laurel delivers fast, dense, evergreen privacy backed by fragrant blooms and genuine wildlife value-all perfectly suited to California's climate.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhether you're building a formal hedge, a natural windbreak, or planting a stunning specimen plant, we're here to help you choose the right size and quantity for your project. Explore our full collection of \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/useyardwork.com\/collections\/tall-evergreen-hedging-plants-for-sale\"\u003eprivacy hedging plants\u003c\/a\u003e or compare alternatives like \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/useyardwork.com\/products\/leyland-cypress-cupressocyparis-leylandii\"\u003eLeyland Cypress\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/useyardwork.com\/products\/fern-pine-tree-podocarpus-gracilior\"\u003ePodocarpus\u003c\/a\u003e to find the perfect fit.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Yardwork Nursery","offers":[{"title":"15-Gallon","offer_id":38070086795437,"sku":"","price":295.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"24\" Box","offer_id":38070086828205,"sku":"","price":895.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"36\" Box","offer_id":38070086860973,"sku":"","price":1850.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"24” Box Standard","offer_id":42067005374637,"sku":"","price":1150.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"36\" Box Standard","offer_id":42474661216429,"sku":"","price":2150.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0514\/8809\/6429\/products\/carolina-cherry-laurel-prunus-caroliniana-pulled-nursery-1.jpg?v=1707262815","url":"https:\/\/www.useyardwork.com\/products\/carolina-cherry-laurel-prunus-caroliniana","provider":"Yardwork","version":"1.0","type":"link"}