The cherry laurel is harmful - but why?
- The seeds are difficult to compost.
- All parts of the plant are poisonous.
- The flowers and fruits are not suitable as food for either birds or insects.
Which plants belong in the near-natural garden?
The cherry laurel impresses with its frost hardiness. As an evergreen ornamental shrub, it guarantees privacy all year round. Furthermore, numerous varieties are now available. You can also find cherry laurel as a small shrub in the nursery. New breeds that are constantly emerging make it easy for you to adapt the planting of the garden to your own taste. Useful animals such as insects are forgotten. After all, pollination of the flowers becomes less important when a new cultivated form appears on the market next year.
But that is by no means the only reason why cultivars have no place in a natural garden. Their special location requirements make it difficult for insect-friendly plants to develop well. Native insects and bird species often do not tolerate the fruits of the exotic varieties or avoid them. Bumblebees and bees in particular are creatures of habit. They do not even fly to unfamiliar flowers.
The cherry laurel is replacing native shrubs that are valuable for insects. Even if exotic plants look quite beautiful, as a conscious gardener you should better rely on well-known plants.
Alternatives
- Rowanberry
- hazelnut
also read
- The plant profile of the cherry laurel
- Privet or cherry laurel - differences
- How to protect the cherry laurel from frost and sun in winter
Rowan berries are also very suitable as a hedge shrub. With its also white flowers it is in no way inferior to the cherry laurel. However, the bright orange berries that adorn their leaves in autumn attract numerous bird species to the garden. Local hazelnuts are also a better alternative. The shrub is not only good for birds and insects, but also gives you nutritious nuts in October.
