USE WITH CAUTION - Invasive in Oregon and on the watchlist for Alexandria, VA (birds distribute the seeds). For this reason, I consider this a "last resort" kind of shrub and only list it here because it's hard to think of many good alternatives for our climate. Consider P. lusitanica (Portuguese cherrylaurel), which is resistant to shot hole, not on any lists east of the Rockies (though still invasive in Oregon), and rated by the PA Horticultural Society as hardy in our area (it even won their Gold Medal Award).
Sunset does not recommend the straight species north of zone 32. 'Schipkaensis' (Schipka laurel, Skip laurel) is good to the warmer parts of zone 41 and 'Otto Luyken' and 'Zabeliana' to zones 34 and 39, though I still see the latter two sold all over the place around here in zone 37.
The species is described as fast-growing, greedy, and not conducive to under- or companion planting, but the smaller cultivars (such as the three mentioned above) are much more commonly sold. Water and fertilization can improve growth rate and density.
Dirr calls the flowers plum-scented, while Druse calls them honey-scented.
Susceptible to shot hole as mentioned above, but still less troubled by pests/diseases than other Prunus spp. (though that doesn't seem to be saying much).
'Otto Luyken' is recommended by the AHS for shade groundcover use and, along with 'Zabeliana', for dry shade sites as well.
Sources: Sunset, JerseyYards.org, Missouri BG, Rutgers, Cal Poly, UConn, AHS, NCSU, Druse.
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