TL
Family
Asparagaceae
Botanical Name
Danae racemosa
Plant Common Name
Alexandrian Laurel, Poet's Laurel
General Description
Admired for its compact habit and glossy foliage, poet's laurel is a tough evergreen shrub from western Asia that offers foliar beauty year round. It is a shade lover that's notoriously slow growing and somewhat frost tender. Specimens are reliably hardy to Zone 8 but can withstand cold temperatures up to Zone 7 with protection. Small yellow flowers are offered in summer and ornamental red fruits are produced in fall and look great into winter.
The elegant "leaves" of this evergreen are actually not leaves at all but phylloclades, or leaf-like stems. The true leaves are actually tiny and appear at the bases of the thin, glossy, lance-shaped phylloclades. Small, insignificant, trumpet-like flowers of yellow are produced in spring and highly ornamental, pendulous, red berries are produced in fall. The fruits remain attractive well into winter and are a holiday treat.
Full, hot sun will scorch the delicate phylloclades of poet's laurel, so be sure to provide it full to partial shade for best foliar appearance. It can grow successfully in a wide range of soil types as long as they are well-drained and kept moderately moist. Protect from winter sun and drying winds. This evergreen has few pest and disease problems. In the landscape it is best enjoyed as a foundation or bedding shrub for shade. It also looks great in outdoor containers.
Poet's laurel is a challenge to propagate, which is why it is not commonly sold in the landscape trade.
Growing Conditions
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Soil pH
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
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Soil Drainage
Well Drained
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Soil type
Loam
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Growth Rate
Very Slow
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Water Requirements
Average Water
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Habit
Oval/Rounded
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Seasonal Interest
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Ornamental Features
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Flower Interest
Insignificant
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Flower Color
Light Yellow
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Fruit Color
Red, Crimson
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Foliage Color (Spring)
Green, Dark Green
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Foliage Color (Summer)
Green, Dark Green
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Foliage Color (Fall)
Green, Dark Green
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Foliage Color (Winter)
Green, Dark Green
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Fragrant Flowers
No
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Fragrant Fruit
No
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Fragrant Foliage
No
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Bark or Stem Fragrant
No
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Flower Petal Number
Single
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Repeat Bloomer
No
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Showy Fruit
Yes
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Edible Fruit
No
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Showy Foliage
Yes
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Foliage Texture
Medium
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Foliage Sheen
Glossy
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Evergreen
Yes
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Showy Bark
No
Special Characteristics
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Usage
Container, Edging, Feature Plant, Foundation, Mixed Border, Topiary / Bonsai / Espalier
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Sharp or Has Thorns
No
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Invasive
No
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Self-Sowing
No
