Northwest Blooms · Shrubs
Prunus laurocerasus 'Zabeliana'
Zabel's Cherry Laurel
- Family
- Rosaceae
- Height
- 4 to 6 feet
- Width
- 6 to 8 feet
- Flower color
- Creamy white
- Foliage color
- Narrow, lustrous dark green leaves
- Bloom time
- Spring
- Light
- Full sun to partial shade
- Water
- Regular
- Maintenance
- Low, tolerates pruning for shaping
- Growing zone
- USDA Zones 6 to 9
- Wildlife
- Provides food and shelter for birds with its small black fruits and dense growth habit
About this plant
Prunus laurocerasus 'Zabeliana', commonly known as Zabel's cherry laurel, is a low-growing, horizontally spreading cultivar valued for its narrow, glossy leaves and tolerance for shaded conditions. This evergreen shrub blooms in spring, producing small white flowers in upright clusters, followed by black berries in summer, which may attract birds. Its horizontal growth habit makes it ideal for ground cover on slopes, along shaded walls, or as part of a low-maintenance garden design.
Native to regions around the Black Sea, Zabeliana is a slow-growing variety that is well-suited for small gardens or areas requiring cold-hardy plants. While it can be pruned to maintain its spread, this cultivar is particularly appreciated for its natural, understated elegance in landscape designs, requiring minimal intervention to thrive.
Works well in
Shade Gardens · Slopes & Banks · Borders · Bird Gardens
Companion plants
Pieris · Japanese forest grass · Brunnera · Viburnum · Trillium · Lungwort
Design tip
‘Zabeliana’ is especially useful where you want evergreen coverage without a stiff, formal look. Its long, spreading branches and narrow glossy leaves create a relaxed layer of greenery, while white spring flowers and dark summer berries add seasonal interest.
