Concept Plants to preview new cherry laurels at 2025 MANTS
Concept Plants will preview a new, improved line of cherry laurels at the Mid-Atlantic Nursery Trade Show (MANTS), held Jan. 8-10, 2025, in Baltimore.
While many cherry laurels perform well in warmer climates, the new introductions from Concept Plants reportedly tolerate cooler climates, while still growing beautifully in warmer zones. Two varieties, ‘Volcano’ and ‘Greenfinity’, are hardy to Zone 5a, while the third, ‘Green Goblet’, is hardy to Zone 6b. The improved cold tolerance opens new markets for the trade to sell cherry laurels in more northern climates.
“We’re very pleased with the performance of the Laurel Trio,” said Ken McVicker, sales and marketing manager with Woodburn Nursery and Azaleas in Oregon and a grower partner with Concept Plants. “The cultural performance in production, as well as the response we are receiving from the marketplace, has been very strong, and we are continuing to increase production as the demand grows.”
Along with improved cold tolerance, the new cherry laurels feature glossier evergreen leaves, improved resistance to shot-hole disease, and colorful new growth.
The new introductions include:
Cherry laurel ‘Volcano’
A compact shrub with a very bushy habit, growing approximately 60 inches tall and 47 inches wide. Shiny, dark green foliage stays evergreen all year, with new shoots emerging bronze-red for added color and interest. (Zone 5a)
Cherry laurel ‘Greenfinity’
Acompact, bushy shrub, grows approximately 60 inches tall and 47 inches wide. The shiny green, healthy evergreen foliage looks lovely all year, with light, lime-green new growth adding interest in the landscape. (Zone 5a)
Cherry laurel ‘Green Goblet’
A shorter but bushy, lush shrub, ‘Green Goblet’ reaches only 48 inches high and 60 inches wide. Glossy evergreen leaves and bronze-red new shoots contrast nicely with the rich green, mature leaves. (Zone 6b).
All three cherry laurel varieties grow well in sun or semi-shade conditions in fertile, moist, well-drained soil. The shrubs work beautifully in mass planting, landscaping, hedges, or grown individually as a specimen.
“We’re very excited to share our newest cherry laurels with the market,” said Peter Van Rijssen, partner with Concept Plants. “The breeders we represent know what the industry wants: hardier, more disease-resistant plants that look great and perform beautifully in gardens and landscapes. Our newest line delivers exceptional quality, nicely compact sizes, and great color on new growth. What’s not to love?”
“We’re very impressed with the performance and presentation of these newest laurels, not only in production but in the landscape from Michigan down to the Carolinas,” McVicker said. “They stand out to our customers and sales teams for their stately, refined look in three different size classes, as well as foliage density, color, and forms, creating a strong demand.”
Photos courtesy of Concept Plants.
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