Cherry laurel

* Botanical name: Prunus laurocerasus

* What it is: A broad-leafed evergreen with elongated, glossy, dark-green leaves and pinkish-white bottle-brush flowers late April through early May. Plants sometimes rebloom a second time in early fall.

* Size: Popular ‘Otto Luyken’ variety grows about 4 feet tall, 5 feet wide. ‘Mt. Vernon’ is a foot more compact.

* Where to use: Best in full sun but grows even in full shade. Good foundation evergreen alternative to overused azaleas. Tolerates dry soil and tree roots, too. Just avoid wet clay, where roots will rot.

* Care: Scatter organic granular fertilizer such as Holly-tone or Flower-tone around base in March. Keep damp the first season, then water needed only in drought. No pruning needed unless it’s outgrowing the space. Can be sheared, but for more natural look, use hand-pruners. Time to prune: right after flowers fade in late spring.

* Great partner: Edge with dwarf golden daffodils for early-spring pairing. In summer, edge with impatiens in shade or petunias in sun.