Flowers

• Appearance: The flowers are small, creamy-white, and tubular, arranged in upright, slender racemes that rise above the foliage. Each raceme measures 2–4 inches long and creates a subtle but elegant display.
• Bloom Time: Blooms in mid to late spring, providing seasonal interest and a contrast to the dense green foliage.
• Fragrance: Lightly sweet and pleasant, attracting bees and other pollinators.
• Pollinator Attraction: The nectar-rich flowers are highly appealing to pollinators, contributing to the plant's ecological value.

Foliage

• Appearance: The leaves are glossy, dark green, and lance-shaped, measuring 3–6 inches long. They have smooth edges with a slightly leathery texture, providing a polished and refined look.
• Texture: Smooth and glossy, adding to the shrub's year-round ornamental appeal.
• Growth Habit: The dense, evergreen foliage grows in a compact, columnar form, making it ideal for hedges or narrow screens.
• Seasonality: Evergreen, retaining its lush, vibrant foliage year-round, ensuring consistent structure and greenery in the garden.

The combination of fragrant spring flowers and glossy, evergreen foliage makes Prunus laurocerasus 'Parkway' a standout choice for adding elegance and structure to landscapes while supporting pollinators.

Planting Requirements

• Light: Thrives in full sun to partial shade. While it tolerates full shade, the foliage is densest and growth is most vigorous with at least 4–6 hours of sunlight daily.
• Soil: Prefers moist, well-draining soil but is highly adaptable to various soil types, including sandy, loamy, and clay soils. Performs best in slightly acidic to neutral pH levels.
• Planting Time: Best planted in spring or fall when temperatures are mild, allowing roots to establish before extreme heat or cold.

Watering

• Water regularly during the first growing season to establish a deep and healthy root system.
• Once established, it is drought-tolerant but benefits from supplemental watering during extended dry spells. Avoid overwatering or waterlogged conditions.

Fertilization

• Feed with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring to promote healthy foliage and growth.
• Mulch around the base with organic material to retain moisture, suppress weeds, and improve soil fertility.

Pruning

• Prune in late winter or early spring to shape and control size, removing dead, damaged, or crossing branches.
• Can be lightly trimmed throughout the growing season to maintain a formal shape if used as a hedge.

Growth Habit and Size

• A compact, columnar evergreen shrub with a moderate growth rate.
• Reaches a mature height of 10–12 feet and a spread of 3–5 feet, making it ideal for narrow spaces, hedges, or screens.

Pests and Diseases

• Generally pest-resistant but may occasionally encounter aphids, scale insects, or caterpillars. Treat infestations with horticultural oil or insecticidal soap.
• Susceptible to powdery mildew, leaf spot, or root rot in poorly drained or overly humid conditions. Ensure good air circulation and proper drainage to prevent these issues.

Special Features

• Foliage: Glossy, dark green, lance-shaped leaves provide year-round interest and create a lush, dense appearance. The evergreen habit makes it an excellent choice for privacy screens or year-round greenery.
• Flowers: In spring, small, fragrant, creamy-white flowers appear in upright racemes. While not as showy as some flowering plants, they attract pollinators such as bees.
• Fruit: Produces small, black, berry-like fruits in late summer to fall, which are ornamental but toxic to humans if ingested. Birds are often drawn to the fruit.

Winter Care

• Hardy in USDA zones 6–8. Requires no special winter care in most climates but benefits from a layer of mulch around the base in colder regions to protect the roots.
• Protect young plants from harsh winter winds that can dry out the foliage.

Landscape Uses

• Ideal for narrow hedges, privacy screens, or windbreaks due to its upright, columnar growth habit.
• Also works well as a specimen plant or in mixed borders for year-round structure and greenery.

Additional Tips

• Space plants about 3–5 feet apart for hedges or screens to allow for natural spread and airflow.
• Avoid planting in excessively windy locations, as this can damage young plants or dry out the foliage.

With its compact size, glossy foliage, and low-maintenance care, Prunus laurocerasus 'Parkway' is a versatile and attractive addition to both formal and informal landscapes.