A smaller and more compact grower than the species, this moderately fast growing evergreen shrub has an upright habit growth typically to 10 feet tall with a 3 to 6 foot spread but often kept considerably smaller. It has attractive 2 to 3 inch long glossy bright green narrowly elliptic leaves that have slightly wavy margins and when crushed have the distinctive odor of cherries or almond extract. In late winter into early spring appear the sweetly fragrant white flowers born amongst the foliage that are followed by purple-black berries.
Plant in full to part sun in a fairly well-drained soil. It is relatively drought tolerant once established but has fairly shallow roots and best when given occasional irrigation. Hardy to 0°F. Noted for its tolerance of heat, wind and dry conditions. This dwarf variety is noted for smaller leaves, tighter branching and shorter internodes. Because of its durability and compact growth, this adaptable plant is one of the more common hedge plants seen in coastal California gardens. It shears well into a large narrow screening hedge or can be shaped into a topiary or column and can be trained as a small tree.
The flowers are attractive to butterflies and bees. The fruit in fall is attractive to birds. When regularly sheared, flowers and fruit are seldom produced. All parts of this plant are poisonous with the leaves having a high concentration of hydrocyanic acid, making them unpalatable to deer and potentially dangerous to livestock. This species is native to coastal Virginia south to northern Florida and west to Louisiana and east Texas to an elevation of 500 feet.
