'Zabeliana' is a cultivar of P. laurocerasus , an evergreen shrub or small tree in the Roseaceae (rose) family native to Europe. 'Zabeliana' has narrow leaves and branches that angle up and out from the shrub base. It is bred for its ability to withstand cold winters, tolerate full sun, and to provide more resistance to disease and insect pests that most other species in the Prunus genus. However, it does not tolerate pruning as well as other Prunus species. It is on the small side, maturing to a height of 4 feet, has a narrow, willow-like form, and lusterous dark green leaves. The plant does well in any well-drained or moist but well-drained soil in sun or shade. With proper management, it can be used as a hedge. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Susceptible to shot-hole disease, powdery mildew and root rot. More information on Prunus laurocerasus .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Often confused withPrunus laurocerasus 'Otto Luyken'Prunus laurocerasus 'Schipkaensis'
Fills a similar nichePrunus laurocerasusPrunus laurocerasus 'Otto Luyken'Prunus laurocerasus 'Schipkaensis'
Full plant profile
Growing Conditions
Plant type
Perennial; Poisonous; Shrub
Life cycle
Woody
USDA zones
6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
Light
Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight) | Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Clay; High Organic Matter; Loam (Silt)
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Alkaline (>8.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage
Available space
6-feet-12 feet
Mature size
Height: 5 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in. | Width: 6 ft. 0 in. - 8 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Rapid
Canopy layer
3 - Shrub (3-15 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Columnar; Dense; Horizontal; Spreading
Texture
Medium
Foliage
Broadleaf Evergreen
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Elliptical; Oblong
Leaf margin
Entire
Leaf feel
Glossy
Leaf size
3-6 inches long, 3-6 inches wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Narrow willow-like, lustrous dark green leaves; 3 to 4 inches long.
Flower color
White
Flower value
Fragrant
Flower form
Panicle
Flower size
3-6 inches
Flower detail
Small white flowers on 3 to 4 inch erect panicles.
Bloom time
Spring
Fruit color
Black; Red/Burgundy
Fruit type
Drupe
Fruit size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
Fruits are globose-ovoid, 1 inch berry-like drupes that are initially red, but turn purple-black in color.
Stem color
Green
Stem detail
Twigs are green and have a cherry odor when bruised. Pith is pale of brown and continuous. They have semi-circular stipular scars.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Unknown
Wildlife value
This is a larval host plant to Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus). Fruits are relished by birds.
Attracts
Butterflies; Songbirds
Play value
Wildlife Food Source
Food & Medicine
Harvest time
Summer
Fruit type
Drupe
Edibility
The fruit is very bitter and inedible.
Landscape Use
Landscape theme
Pollinator Garden
Design feature
Hedge; Screen/Privacy
Garden tags
#salt tolerant #showy flowers #fragrant flowers #evergreen #black fruits #bird friendly #problem for cats #problem for dogs #problem for horses #heavy shade tolerant #drupes #shade garden #wildlife friendly #cold tolerant
Problems & Resistance
Problems
Problem for Cats; Problem for Dogs; Problem for Horses
Resistant to
Dry Soil; Pollution; Salt
Poison severity
High
Poison parts
Leaves; Seeds; Stems
Poison symptoms
Gasping, weakness, excitement, pupil dilation, spasms, convulsions, coma, respiratory failure Stems, leaves, seeds contain cyanide, particularly toxic in the process of wilting: brick red mucous membranes, panting, shock.