Re: Laurel blossom
I think the bushes were planted when the house was built. That would make them around 50 years old. I chopped many feet off the height a couple of years ago and I think it's growing back as fast as it can.
The trouble is that every tiny part of that blossom turns into poisonous (to humans) berries that look like cherries or grapes. They make quite a mess if they drop onto pathways.
I usually cut as many of the bunches off as possible when the flowers have dropped and the berries are at the green stage.