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skill rating
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Laurus nobilis (Bay tree)
1 hour care
per year
per year
12m
Max height
Max height
12m
Max spread
Max spread
20-50 years
To maturity
To maturity
Plant details
Botanical name
Laurus nobilis
Other names
Bay tree, True laurel, Victor's laurel, Roman laurel, Royal bay, Sweet bay, Bay laurel, Bay, Poet's laurel, Kitchen bay, Bayleaf herb, Bay leaf herb
Genus
Laurus Laurus
Species
L. nobilis - L. nobilis is a large, evergreen shrub or small tree with aromatic, evergreen leaves. It can be clipped into shape if desired. Its leaves can be used to flavour cooking but discarded rather than consumed. Small, yellow flowers are produced in spring and female plants may produce black berries in autumn.
Laurus nobilis is: Evergreen
Fragrance
Foliage is aromatic and used for culinary purposes.
Habit
Erect
Awards
RHS AGM (Award of Garden Merit)
Flower
Pale-yellow in Spring
Foliage
Grey-green in All seasons
How to care
Watch out for
Specific pests
Horse chestnut scale , Soft scale , Tortrix moth , Bay sucker Horse chestnut scale , Soft scale , Tortrix moth , Bay sucker
Leaf diseases of laurel , Leaf spot , Powdery mildew Leaf diseases of laurel , Leaf spot , Powdery mildew
General care
Propagation
Best to start from seed in autumn.
Propagation methods
Seed, Semi-hardwood cuttings
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Where to grow
Laurus nobilis (Bay tree) will reach a height of 12m and a spread of 12m after 20-50 years.
Suggested uses
Coastal, Flavouring food and drinks, Hedging/Screens, Low Maintenance, Mediterranean
Cultivation
Plant in free-draining soil in a sunny position, although will tolerate partial shade. Can be grown successfully in a container and may be clipped to a standard or geometric shape. Shelter from cold, drying winds.
Soil type
Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)
Soil drainage
Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Sun
Aspect
North, South, East, West
Exposure
Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4), Tender in frost (H3)
Companion plants
Botanical name
Laurus nobilis
Other names
Bay tree, True laurel, Victor's laurel, Roman laurel, Royal bay, Sweet bay, Bay laurel, Bay, Poet's laurel, Kitchen bay, Bayleaf herb, Bay leaf herb
Genus
Laurus Laurus
Species
L. nobilis - L. nobilis is a large, evergreen shrub or small tree with aromatic, evergreen leaves. It can be clipped into shape if desired. Its leaves can be used to flavour cooking but discarded rather than consumed. Small, yellow flowers are produced in spring and female plants may produce black berries in autumn.
Foliage
Evergreen
Fragrance
Foliage is aromatic and used for culinary purposes.
Habit
Erect
Awards
RHS AGM (Award of Garden Merit)
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Colour
Flower
Pale-yellow in Spring
Foliage
Grey-green in All seasons
How to care
Watch out for
Specific pests
Horse chestnut scale , Soft scale , Tortrix moth , Bay sucker
Specific diseases
Leaf diseases of laurel , Leaf spot , Powdery mildew
General care
Propagation
Best to start from seed in autumn.
Propagation methods
Seed, Semi-hardwood cuttings
Monthly care advice
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Where to grow
Laurus nobilis (Bay tree) will reach a height of 12m and a spread of 12m after 20-50 years.
Suggested uses
Coastal, Flavouring food and drinks, Hedging/Screens, Low Maintenance, Mediterranean
Cultivation
Plant in free-draining soil in a sunny position, although will tolerate partial shade. Can be grown successfully in a container and may be clipped to a standard or geometric shape. Shelter from cold, drying winds.
Soil type
Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)
Soil drainage
Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Sun
Aspect
North, South, East, West
Exposure
Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4), Tender in frost (H3)
USDA zones
Zone 10, Zone 9, Zone 8
In order to add a note on this plant, please add this plant to your plant lists.
| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil types: | Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types) | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Well-drained | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Partial Shade, Full Sun | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | North, South, East, West | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Exposed, Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Hardy (H4), Tender in frost (H3) | Tell us... |
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DISCUSS THIS PLANT
Bay Tree Disease/Bug problem
My poor Bay Tree
thx for the answers Kathy C
some advice please...for a begginer
Bay tree
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