Otto Luyken Cherry Laurel Bush
Prunus laurocerasus 'Otto Luyken'
Delivery and Shipping
Delivery and Shipping
Preorder Shipping Schedule
We ship your plants when it's safe to transport them to your zone. Dates are estimated and subject to weather delays.
| Zone 3-4 | Week of March 30th |
| Zone 5 | Week of March 16th |
| Zone 6-12 | Week of March 2nd |
Shipping Rates
Ships in 7-10 business days • Tracking provided • Weather protected
| Under $50 | $9.99 |
| $50 - $99.99 | $14.99 |
| $100 - $149.99 | $16.99 |
| $150 - $198.99 | $24.99 |
| $199+ | FREE |
✓ Zone-specific timing • ✓ Professional packaging • ✓ Health guarantee
Understanding Our Container Sizes
At Nature Hills, our plants are sold in industry-standard nursery containers. You will notice we use the word "container" rather than "gallon." Container numbers follow a nursery trade size standard, not liquid volume. The number tells you the plant's size category and general maturity level. A larger container means a more established plant with a stronger root system.

Container Sizes
Quart
Plant age: 6 months to 1 year
Best for: Ground covers, perennials, ornamental grasses
What to expect: Our smallest and most affordable size. Well-suited for planting in multiples across a large area. Allow 1 to 2 seasons for full establishment.
#1 Container
Plant age: 1 to 2 years
Best for: Shrubs, perennials, smaller trees
What to expect: About the size of a large coffee can. A well-developed root system in a manageable size. Good value choice when you have time to let the plant grow into the space over a season or two.
#2 Container
Plant age: 2 to 3 years
Best for: Shrubs and trees where you want faster establishment
What to expect: A noticeable step up from a #1 in both plant size and root development. Good choice when you want visible presence without going to a larger size.
#3 Container
Plant age: 3 to 4 years
Best for: Most plants, most situations — flowering trees, shade trees, evergreen shrubs
What to expect: Our most popular size. Strong, developed root system. Plants in a #3 container make an immediate visual impact from day one. If you want a head start rather than waiting seasons for a plant to fill in, this is typically the right choice.
#5 Container and Larger
Plant age: 4 to 5+ years
Best for: Specimen plants, privacy screens, maximum instant impact
What to expect: Large, mature plants ready to make an immediate statement in your landscape. We also carry #7 and larger sizes for select varieties.
Why "Container" and Not "Gallon"?
Nursery container sizes follow an industry trade standard established for the nursery and horticulture industry. The number is a size designation, not a measurement of liquid volume. Actual soil volume varies by plant type, root mass, and growing medium. Using "container" is the accurate industry term. When you see #1, #2, or #3, think of it as the plant's size tier, not a gallon measurement.
Root Pouch Containers
Some Nature Hills plants arrive in a Root Pouch, a breathable fabric container made from 100% recycled materials. Root Pouches encourage denser root development through air pruning, which discourages root circling and promotes a stronger, more fibrous root ball at the time of planting.

There are two types. Knowing which one you have changes how you plant:
- Degradable (brown or tan fabric): Plant the entire pouch directly in the ground. The fabric breaks down naturally in the soil over time.
- Non-degradable (black or gray fabric): Remove the pouch before planting. Cut the bottom open with scissors, then peel the sides away. The fibrous root ball will hold its shape.
Not sure which type you have? Check the tag on your plant or contact us and we will confirm.
Full Root Pouch planting guide
Choosing the Right Size
| Size | Plant Age | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Quart | 6 mo to 1 yr | Ground covers, perennials, grasses. Budget-friendly for mass plantings. |
| #1 Container | 1 to 2 yrs | Shrubs, perennials, small trees. Value choice for patient gardeners. |
| #2 Container | 2 to 3 yrs | Shrubs and trees where you want faster establishment. |
| #3 Container | 3 to 4 yrs | Most plants. Immediate visual impact. Our most popular size. |
| #5 and larger | 4+ yrs | Specimen plants, privacy screens, maximum instant impact. |
Still not sure which size is right for your project? Our plant specialists are happy to help. Contact us and we will point you in the right direction.
Plant Sentry™ Protected
Your order is protected by our compliance system that:
- Prevents restricted plants from shipping to your state
- Ensures plants meet your state's agricultural requirements
- Protects gardens from invasive pests and diseases
Description
Polished Perfection Dwarf Otto Luyken Cherry Laurel
- Classic Choice
- Stays Compact for Small Space Gardens
- Wonderful Broad-Leaved Accent Shrub
- Glossy Green Leaves Remain Evergreen
- Add Stems to Cut Flower Arrangements
- Springtime Racemes of Scented White Blooms
- Butterfly Magnet
- Stays Full to the Ground
- Low Hedges, Foundations and Specimens
- Easy Care
- Grows in Full Sun or Part Shade
These compact, broad-leaved evergreen shrubs live large in your garden. Design around the elegant Otto Luyken Cherry Laurel Bush (Prunus laurocerasus 'Otto Luyken'). You'll be well on your way to enjoying a yard that works beautifully in all seasons!
Enjoy a lovely spring-flowering display. The bottle-brush white blooms are held high above large, lustrous leaves. Their fragrance will perfume your landscape for weeks! Butterflies appreciate these flowering spikes. Watch as they work the blooms over to gather the nectar, and you'll feel good about your thoughtful choice.
The large leaves add a steady green dimension to your landscape. They'll reflect the sunlight, and muffle the discordant sounds of the city.
Go ahead and add large sprays of dark green foliage to your cut flower arrangements. There will be plenty left on your shrub, as the foliage remains lush and full to the ground. Savvy decorators may want to use a hedge as a backdrop for cutting gardens.
Define your space with these small-scale shrubs that spread a bit wider than they grow tall. Otto Luyken Laurel is a favorite of garden designers for good reason.
They'll effortlessly make other plants look good. Rely on their year-round good looks to set the stage for seasonally showy flowering plants.
You can't go wrong with a classic choice like the naturally dwarfed Otto Luyken Laurel. You'll be thrilled with the exceptional quality of these commercial-grade plants from our expert growers.
Place your order today. Please order enough to complete your entire project, as we will run out of this high-demand variety.
How to Use Otto Luyken Laurel in the Landscape
These hard-working shrubs make a charming accent plant throughout your yard. Add them to your foundation planting for an easy, breezy style that works all year.
Create low hedges to define moments of transition. Allow them to embrace the perimeter of your patio, or to soften the demarcation between manicured lawn and rough woodland.
Layer these into your mixed shrub border as a sophisticated boost of year-round color. The flowers and ornamental black berries on fertilized female plants only add to their appeal.
Create a solid screen where the canopies grow together and touch. Plant three and a half feet apart on center, measuring from the center of one to the center of the next. Mulch between plants, and keep them weeded.
#ProPlantTips for Care
Plant Otto Luyken Laurel in full sun, or in warm climates, provide afternoon shade. It requires at least four hours of direct sunlight a day.
These plants will do well as understory shrubs with dappled shade. They enjoy slightly acidic, rich soil that drains well.
Add a three-inch layer of pine bark or pine straw over the root system to keep it cool. Reapply a fresh layer regularly, and you'll improve the condition of your soil over time.
Protect your investment with regular watering. Provide a medium amount of water on a schedule. This is especially important during their first season in your landscape, and during periods of drought.
Wait until the flowers are done to prune to shape. Tip prune to keep them trim, or chose to eliminate crossing branches back to a main stem.
These easy-care shrubs are a designer's dream. They'll add a gorgeous sense of stability and charm to your landscape. Order Otto Luyken Laurel from the expert growers at Nature Hills today!
Specifications
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Botanical Name
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Cultivar
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Height
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Sunlight
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Growth RateModerate
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Fall Color
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FragrantYes
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Bloom PeriodLate Spring
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Does Not Ship ToAK, CA, HI, ID, MT, OR, PR
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