Usually narrow when young. Heavily aromatic foliage, used by some as seasoning, although it has a much more pungent, acrid flavor than Laurus nobilis. Very shade tolerant when young, very drought tolerant when established. Makes a good screen for shady areas. Like Eucalyptus, very difficult to garden under due to chemical inhibition from secondary leaf compounds.
Foliage turns deep red in winter when grown in part sun.
Part sun to shade, average watering, apparently frost hardy. Good with azaleas and other shade evergreens. Not offered in 2000. In spring and early summer it produces branched stalks to 2-4' tall bearing a heavy show of pure white flowers. Sun to part shade, average watering, frost hardy.