Bay laurel
Bay laurel
Bay laurel (Laurus nobilis),Bay Tree, Sweet Bay has been grown as an ornamental plant since ancient times. It is an aromatic evergreen Mediterranean herb that has dark green, glossy, leaves, produces pale yellow flowers followed by black shiny berries (bacca-laureus). A slow-growing, frost tender perennial, Bay laurel makes an ideal trimmed potted plant that can grow up to 10 feet but most likely 5 feet in a container which should be brought indoors for the winter where it will remain green but dormant.
Bay laurel is grows best in fertile, light, loose soil, full sun to partial shade and moderate temperatures. Because it is susceptible to sunburn, grow it in dappled shade during the hot summer. Because bay laurel is slow and difficult to propagate, it is easier to purchase a potted plant from the garden center.
To root bay laurel take a 4 inch cutting of new growth and strip away all but the top 2 leaves, dip in rooting hormone and plant in a 1/2 sand 1/2 peat mix. Cover with clear plastic and place in a warm shady area. Cuttings can be taken 8 weeks after new spring growth and rooting can take up to 6 weeks. Late summer/early fall cuttings are slower to root and will take several months. It can also be started from seed in early spring.
The leaves of bay laurel can be dried whole or crushed and used in cooking. It can be harvested all year round but the best time to dry the leaves is in August when the leaves are most favorful. It is used as part of the classic bouquet garni which consists of bay leaf, thyme, marjoram, parsley and black peppercorn tied in a muslin bag. The oil is used for treating internal disorders, ear aches, rheumatism, ointments, soaps and perfumes even an insect repellant. The leaves are also used in garlands, funeral and memorial wreaths.
Laurus nobilis is not poisonous, whereas most other laurels are.
Troubleshooting
Bay laurel tends to get scale , small, brown, raised spots clustered on the undersides of leaves and along the stems. Clean the leaves in spring and fall with a cottom ball dipped in rubbing alcohol to control the pest. .
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Where can I buy a bay laurel? Is it hardy in zone 8?
I live in Zone 8 and have a very healthy bay laurel tree. Was told it wouldn’t make it through the winters outside but it has for over ten years now. If it got very cold, I was told I could protect it by putting a blanket over it, but I have never had to resort to that. There’s another bay laurel tree flourishing in my neighborhood in Seattle.
i have a bay laurel that has grown good. i brought in for winter. now the leaves are looking different color & feels like they are drying out. i check soil and top inch is little dry, but past inch it’s moist. the trunk still looks green & has some new growth. the leaf color change starts @ tip & works down leaf. it kind of makes me think it’s drying from lack of water, but like i said soil is moist. i don’t know alot about the plant, just that i cook w/ bay leaf alot, i love the plant, & not very winter hardy,
i live in zone 7/8, Bonham, Tx. can you help? i’ve search the web, but only thing i know more about plant is history, & resist insects & dieases.
thanks tandra
I have a Bay Tree which for the past 7 years and until now it has been a very healthy specimen.
I noticed approx 2 Months ago that it looked a little sad and the leaves were turning yellow. I had never repotted the tree since I had it & so presumed it needed a larger container.
After repotting we had a great deal of rain and having changed the clay container for a resin style I noticed no improvement in the colouration or health. It is now June and the tree is looking very poor, the leave are withered and a brownish yellow.
Any ideas?
what is the best treatment for my bay tree. It has got a black sticky matter on the leaves. I have tried fairy liquid spray. What else can I try.
We recently moved house and I replanted my Bay tree in the ground after several years of it being in a container. The leaves have now started to go from a healthy green to a yellowish-brown, and have black spots. It is quite a large bush, about 3 ft tall. Did it just object to being moved, or is it something more serious?
I recently bought a Bay Laurel “tree” it is only about 18″ tall but it has 2 distinct stalks and i would like to create a topiary look, I was wondering is it possible to seperate these and make 2 plants out of it? It looks to be a young plant. It is healthy and now in a 8″ pot so the 2 stalks are not close enough to twist into a single one Can i cut down through the roots between these 2 stalks without harming the plant?
Thanks for your input…Aud