Skip laurel and cherry laurel are two popular landscape shrubs that are often confused with each other. While they share some similarities, there are several key differences between these plants that homeowners should understand when choosing one for their yard.
In this article, we’ll compare skip laurel vs cherry laurel by looking at:
- Botanical background
- Size and growth habit
- Leaf and flower differences
- Climate needs
- Uses in garden design
Botanical Background
Botanically speaking skip laurel is a cultivar of cherry laurel. Its full scientific name is Prunus laurocerasus ‘Schipkaensis’. It was first discovered in the late 1800s on Bulgaria’s Schipka mountain pass which is where the cultivar name ‘Schipkaensis’ originates.
On the other hand, cherry laurel refers to the species Prunus laurocerasus. There are other cultivars of this species besides skip laurel, such as ‘Otto Luyken’ and ‘Zabeliana’.
- Skip laurel = Prunus laurocerasus ‘Schipkaensis’
- Cherry laurel = Prunus laurocerasus
They belong to the same genus and species but are different cultivars,
Size and Growth Habit
One major difference between skip and cherry laurel is their mature size and growth habit:
-
Skip laurel grows slower and reaches 6-10 feet tall and wide at maturity. It has a dense, compact growth habit.
-
Cherry laurel is much larger, capable of reaching 15-30 feet tall and 10-15 feet wide. It has a more open, spreading form.
So skip laurel will take up less space in the landscape, while cherry laurel becomes a much larger shrub over time.
Leaf Differences
The leaves of these two shrubs also show some noticeable varietal differences:
-
Skip laurel has smaller, lance-shaped leaves that are 2-4 inches long. The foliage is glossy green on top and lighter green underneath.
-
Cherry laurel has larger oblong leaves that are 4-6 inches long. The leaves are a darker green and slightly wrinkled in texture.
The smaller leaves of skip laurel give it a tidier, more refined look when pruned into formal hedges compared to cherry laurel.
Flowers
Both shrubs produce similar white flower spikes near the bases of leaves on new shoot growth. However, skip laurel generally has more prolific blooming with flower spikes completely coating the branches in spring.
Climate Needs
Skip laurel and cherry laurel share very similar climate requirements:
- Hardiness zones: Zone 6-9
- Sun: Partial sun to partial shade
- Soil: Average, well-drained
- Drought tolerance: Moderate
They can tolerate some drought once established but prefer consistent moisture. And while they grow best in part sun, they can adapt to full shade conditions.
Uses in Garden Design
The compact size and dense foliage of skip laurel makes it ideal for neat, formal hedges and privacy screens in small gardens.
Cherry laurel is better for informal hedges or as a specimen plant thanks to its larger size and spreading form. It can also be pruned as topiaries or other ornamental shapes.
Other uses for both shrubs include:
- Mass plantings
- Foundational plantings
- Screening unsightly views
- Shading gardens
Care and Maintenance
Caring for skip and cherry laurel is quite simple:
- Water weekly until established, then only during droughts
- Fertilize in early spring
- Prune as needed to shape
- Watch for pests like leaf miners, mites, and scale
Annual pruning for shape is recommended to keep them maintained to the desired size.
Quick Comparison
- Skip laurel – More compact; smaller lance-shaped leaves; prolific white blooms
- Cherry laurel – Larger; larger wrinkled leaves; open growth habit
While quite similar, paying attention to the size, growth habit, foliage, and other subtleties can help you select the best one for your particular garden needs and space.
Both offer handsome evergreen foliage for hedges and screens. But skip laurel is better suited for small gardens, while cherry laurel becomes a large focal point shrub.
Spacing and Mature Size
Mature size generally ranges from 10-15 feet high and about 6-12 feet wide, but will vary with the cultivar. Check plant tags for approximate mature size. Dwarf cultivars like ‘Otto Luyken’ grow to approximately 4 feet tall but can reach 6 feet wide. Give plants enough space to mature without relying on pruning to restrict their size.
For container-grown plants, if the roots are root-bound (tangled and circling in the shape of the pot), make several cuts along the outside of the root ball and spread the roots outward so they can establish into the surrounding soil. For balled and burlapped (B&B) plants, remove the burlap and any twine or wire cage.
Dig the planting hole just deep enough to accommodate the root ball with the root flare (where roots begin to branch off the stem) level with, or slightly above, ground level. Visit Planting a Tree or Shrub for more details.
Mulch should be laid no thicker than 2-3 inches in depth, and keep it several inches away from the base of the plant stems.
Monitor the soil moisture of new plants regularly, and water deeply if it begins to dry out several inches below the surface.
If there is less than 1 inch of rainfall per week, water thoroughly to maintain even soil moisture during dry periods. This is important for plants in their first two years of establishment. Well-established plants should still be watered thoroughly during dry periods. Water at the base of the plants rather than overhead to minimize leaf wetness as much as possible, since moist leaf surfaces can be easier for disease spores to infect.
Fertilize cherry laurel if a laboratory soil test indicates a nutrient deficiency. If planted with an organic soil amendment (such as compost) or with an organic mulch (bark, wood chips, pine needles), most plants should not need additional nutrients.
If desired, prune and shape the shrubs by using hand pruners in early spring (around March). New growth emerging after flowering can be pruned as needed to control size around June. Avoid shearing, which promotes dense outer foliage and bare inner branches, and also increases vulnerability to pests and diseases. Ideally, these shrubs should only be grown where their mature size can be accommodated without relying on regular pruning.
Poor Site Conditions Cherry laurel with dieback due to limited root space and reflected heat. Photo: HGIC
Symptoms from stressful site conditions include leaf yellowing or browning, branch dieback, or an entire shrub declining and dying. This may be due to over- or under-watering, a planting location with reflected heat in full sun, and/or poor soil conditions. Poor soil conditions can include compaction, limited root space, too little organic matter, and contamination with excess fertilizer or ice-melt.
Which Laurel is Best For You? (Schip, English, Portuguese, etc.)
FAQ
What are the disadvantages of cherry laurel?
Leaves may turn yellow, brown, and fall off as branch tips die back. Cherry laurel does not tolerate compacted clay soil that drains poorly. In those conditions, excess soil moisture reduces oxygen levels. This can stress or kill roots, resulting in a reduced root system that is unable to function well.
How tall do skip laurels get?
-
This Old Househttps://www.thisoldhouse.comSkip Laurel Tree Guide – This Old HouseMar 28, 2025 — Skip laurels grow to around 10–18 feet tall and 5–7 feet wide, at a moderate rate of roughly 24 inches per year.
What is the difference between cherry laurel and laurel?
Portuguese Laurel (Prunus lusitanica) and Cherry Laurel (Prunus laurocerasus) are popular evergreens differing in leaf size and color, growth rate, and stem aesthetics, with the former having smaller, darker leaves with red stems, and the latter having larger, glossy green leaves with thick stems.
How far apart should I plant skip laurels for a hedge?
If you’re growing a hedge, a space of 5 to 10 feet between trees is ideal.
Is skip Laurel evergreen?
Skip Laurel has dense, glossy evergreen foliage and white candle-like flowers in fall and winter. Cherry Skip Laurel is a cultivar with the botanical name Prunus laurocerasus ‘Schipkaensis’. This shrub is fast growing and has dense, broad evergreen foliage, making it an ideal plant for creating new privacy hedges.
What is the difference between Skip laurel shrubs and cherry laurels?
There are a few key differences between skip laurel shrubs and cherry laurel shrubs. For example, all skip laurels are technically cherry laurels, but not all cherry laurels are skip laurels. The skip laurel shrub grows smaller compared to the average cherry laurel shrub. In addition, cherry laurel leaves are wider compared to skip laurel leaves.
What is Cherry skip Laurel?
Cherry Skip Laurel is a cultivar with the botanical name Prunus laurocerasus ‘Schipkaensis’. This shrub is fast growing and has dense, broad evergreen foliage, making it an ideal plant for creating new privacy hedges. It also produces impressive white spire-like flowers in the spring.
Are Skip laurels a good plant?
However, make sure to do your research as to your average temperatures and the preferred climates of these shrubs, as both skip laurels and cherry laurels struggle in freezing temperatures. Powdery mildew can develop on cherry laurels. Cherry laurels are generally healthy plants – but sometimes diseases and pests can cause damage.
Can skip cherry laurel grow in full sun?
This dense, spreading, rounded shrub thrives in almost any soil type when growing in full sun to partial shade. Skip cherry laurel shrubs are typically the go-to plants for growing a lush, dense privacy hedge in a front or backyard.
Is skip cherry laurel poisonous?
Skip Cherry Laurel is a toxic plant that contains toxins that can cause serious health problems if ingested by humans or animals. If you have any of the Prunus laurocerasus varieties, including ‘Schipkaensis,’ be careful that your pets or children do not accidentally eat the leaves or black berries. Do skip laurels attract bees?