Cherry Laurel

A vital larval host plant for Central Texas butterflies including Banded Hairstreak, Spring Azure, Eastern Tiger, Two-tailed Swt, Viceroy, and Red-spotted Purple, Cherry Laurel (Prunus caroliniana) is a evergreen Texas tree native across the East Central Texas Plains, Gulf Coast Prairies and Marshes, Texas Blackland Prairies, and Western Gulf Coastal Plain. It features distinctive deep green foliage. During Spring, the plant produces yellow blooms. After blooming, it produces black, blue 1-1.3 cm. It plays a key ecological role as a larval host plant for Central Texas butterflies, including Banded Hairstreak, Spring Azure, Eastern Tiger, Two-tailed Swt, Viceroy, and Red-spotted Purple. Berries attract birds. Flowers attract bees and other insects. Thriving in clay, deep, loam, moist, rich, sand, and well drained, Cherry Laurel demonstrates outstanding hardiness once established. It requires minimal supplemental water and tolerates dry spells with ease. It offers high deer resistance.