Bay tree

Bay Tree

Botanical name: Laurus nobilis

Life cycle: Shrub / Tree

Height: 8 m

Position: Sun / Part shade

Soil preference: Well drained

Description

Also known as sweet bay and laurel, the bay tree is an evergreen shrub or tree growing up to 8 m. The aromatic, shiny, dark green leaves can be picked year round. The bay tree is dioecious, with male and female flowers on different plants. Male flowers are yellow while female flowers are white. The fruit is small, dark, and shiny with a 1 cm diameter. Bay is suitable for topiary or hedging.

The bay tree was used to make the laurel wreaths used in Ancient Greece, which were a symbol of high status. The bay tree is now considered to be a ‘relic’ of the laurel forests that once covered the Mediterranean Basin when the area was much more humid than today.

Uses

Bay leaves are used in cooking, usually in stronger flavoured dishes like stews and soups, where a leaf or two is added at the beginning of cooking and removed before serving. The leaves can be used both fresh and dried depending on the type of cooking. Dried whole leaves have a shelf life of one year.

Bay leaf has also been used for centuries as a medicinal ingredient. The leaf can be infused to relieve indigestion, colic, and flatulence and to stimulate appetite. The essential oil can be used to relieve muscular and rheumatic pains and when added to a bath, it stimulates the circulatory system. The oil is also a useful antiseptic, used for bronchial problems, and blended essential oil can be massaged around sprains and into rheumatic joints for it analgesic effects. Both leaves and berries contain essential fatty acids and antioxidants. Caution: never take bay laurel essential oil internally. An allergic reaction may result from external use, therefore the oil should only be applied in very dilute (2%) concentrations.  

Bay is also useful in repelling household insect pests such as weevils, silverfish, and clothes moths. Place fresh leaves in containers of flour and pasta, in books and papers and into sachets tucked in with clothes.

Growing conditions

Bay tree can grow up to 8 metres, however it can also be pruned to keep it smaller and shrub like. Bay tree prefers to grow in full sun or part shade, within a well-drained soil. The plant should be watered regularly so it can establish a good root system. Bay tree is often used for topiary and can be easily shaped into balls, squares, and low hedges.

Bay tree can be propagated by seed or semi-hardwood cuttings. Seed may take 6 months to germinate. Cuttings may take 3 or more months to form roots and must never to allowed to dry out.

9cm pot.

Organically grown plant in a biodegradable coir pot.