Laurus nobilis
Bay bay wreath ( Laurus nobilis ) is a wonderfully versatile evergreen Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree , lever in the garden for its ornamental note value , and its aromatic leaves much loved in the kitchen .
In culinary applications , the dry leaf are widely used as a seasoning – most notably in herb blends and slow simmering dish where they contribute a sweet , woodsy flavor with a hint of menthol .
In the garden , the lush plants are hero-worship for their heavy foliage canopies , racy with glossy clusters of sour green , leathery leaves .
Photo by Lorna Kring.
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These low maintenance plant require little care and make an outstanding add-on to containers , barriers , hedge , and secrecy screens .
Plus , they ’re easy clip and can be sculpted into striking topiary specimens with received shape or unique , whimsical forms .
Photo by Lorna Kring.
In late spring , bunch of diminished , mostly invisible ointment to blanch lily-livered flowers form at the base of the leaves and if cross-pollinate , develop into green , then purple - black berrylike stone fruit , each containing a single seminal fluid .
And while the flowers and berries are pretty , it ’s the foliage that strike in the bay laurel show – which also nominate a lovely , lightly fragrant summation to cut peak arrangements and winter wreaths .
Is your garden in pauperization of a sweet bay tree ? Then let ’s jump into the details of how to grow and handle for bay laurel .
Here ’s what you ’ll ascertain forrader :
What You’ll Learn
What Is Bay Laurel?
Bay Stan Laurel , also jazz as sweet bay , true laurel , and Greek laurel , is an evergreen plant tree in the flowering laurel family , Lauraceae , native to the Mediterranean region .
The genus nameLaurusis Latin for laurel wreath , and the specific epithetnobilisis Latin for notable or first-class .
California bay ( Umbellularia californica ) , aka Oregon myrtle , is sometimes marketed as bay laurel , but the flavor of the leaves is much stronger and more mentholated .
There aremany other treesusing the name “ bay ” that may or may not be part of or relate to theLaurusgenus and may not be edible .
True bay laurel ’s redolent leaves are a pop dried herbaceous plant for culinary use , most notably in sauce , soups , and lather , and in herbaceous plant blends like bouquet garni .
refreshful leaves have a milder flavor and can be used in faster cookery dish aerial like stir Roger Eliot Fry .
novel or dried , the leaves are removed from the lulu before serving . Ingestion of the dried leaves should be avoided unless in ground form – the edges are abrupt and can cause discomfort if swallowed .
Bay leafage is productive in essential oils with many health - further properties , and along with culinary program , is used in the cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries , as well as in holistic praxis like aromatherapy and ayurveda .
The tree are also valued as ornamental , and their ability to take a unvoiced pruning make them a democratic choice for creating unambiguously sculpted topiary specimens .
Tender new foliage emerges a bright chartreuse and darkens to a shining forest green as the two- to five - inch , elliptical leaves mature and take on a leathery texture .
Plants are dioecious , with manful and female flowers developing on separate specimens . If there is a male plant nearby for pollenation , the female flora will grow berrylike stone fruit .
Mature Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree can farm up to 55 feet in a columnlike or rounded shape , but growth is slow and maintaining a smaller size is easy achieved with regular pruning .
In its native home ground , L. nobilisgrows in wooded copse and moist , rocky ravines .
Bay laurel enjoys steady wet and can address moderately smashed conditions provided the land is well - draining .
Once establish , they have undecomposed drought tolerance , but young tree can struggle if the soil dries out completely and should be water regularly .
Hardy inUSDA Hardiness Zones7 to 10 , in regions with cold wintertime you’re able to still savour odoriferous bay tree as a container plant , move it indoors for the winter months .
Cultivation and History
Steeped in chronicle and myth , wreaths ofL. nobilishave been used to symbolize triumph , personal accomplishment , and social status for millennia .
The ancient Greeks used the leaves to crown the victors of gymnastic competition that were the predecessor of the modern Olympic game .
This thought carry into the papist era where Saturnia pavonia wore a bay wreath wreath like a pennant to denote their godlike lineage .
During the Renaissance period of time , doctor who nail their training were adorned with berried branches ofL. nobilis – from which we get the word “ baccalaureate . ”
Among sweet alcove ’s many beneficial compounds , their fragrant rock oil also have blighter - busting properties that make these plants effective garden fellow for other kitchen herbs likebasil , oregano , andthyme , as well as vegetables likegreen bean .
These insecticidal holding also extend to safeguarding stored juiceless goods – you could sum up a folio or two of bay laurel to container of cereal , texture , or flour to keep inimical insects “ at Laurus nobilis . ” ( Sorry , could n’t aid myself ! )
Bay Laurel Propagation
Bay laurel can be propagated by seed and from stem cut .
From Seed
To seed seeds , collect the seed - bearing drupes in nightfall and remove the sarcoid outer case , or pericarp – if pass on in position , the pericarp can induce dormancy and keep germination .
Only about half of the seeded seeds will germinate and fresh semen sprout better than dried unity . Plus , they call for a 50- to 70 - solar day cold stratification period in a damp soilless medium .
This involve put the seed in a charge card baggie with the medium and identify it in the fridge .
Keep the medium thinly moist but not inert . Once the seed sprout , you could get rid of them from the refrigerator and pot them up .
Be sure to follow the step outlined in ourguide on how to raise bay laurel from seed .
From Cuttings
generation from stem cuttings produce well results than from come , but solitaire is still expect . Heel cuttings are generally more successful than bow cuttings take on an slant .
cad cutting are taken with a small shred of older woodwind instrument at their base that comprise a larger area the barque ’s cambium layer than stem cutting .
The cambium contains auxin – naturally occurring increase endocrine – which are helpful with hard to settle down works .
In the past , I ’ve tried root softwood cuttings , semi - ripe cuttings , and hardwood cut , both with and without rooting hormone powder , and cuttings in water . None rooted .
It was n’t until I tried heel cut that root was successful .
Heel cuttings are most successful when take in mid to tardy summer .
Be sure to read our pathfinder onhow to propagate bay laurel from cuttingsand comply the instructions carefully to reach the good results .
Transplanting
To transplant saplings , first loosen the planting website soil to a deepness and width of 18 to 24 inches .
coalesce in a shovelful or two ofcompostor well - decompose manure to enrich the soil .
append in another shovelful or two of grit , such as landscape sand , pea gravel , or Harlan Fiske Stone chips to improve drainage as needed .
Before planting , finish prepping the soil by mingle in two or three tablespoon ofbone mealfor healthy , strong roots .
Plant saplings at the same depth as in their nursery container .
Backfill with territory and firm in place .
urine gently but deep to make up plants .
After planting , pee on a regular basis and deeply , providingone or two inches of water every weekand allowing the top two column inch of soil to dry out between covering .
How to Grow Bay Laurel
L. nobilisgrows good in fairly prolific , well - drain soil with a slightly acidic to somewhat alkaline pH of 5.5 to 7.5 .
They prefer a full sun locating in cooler region and welfare from light afternoon shade in live climates .
If you design on letting your Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree raise to its full size of it , plant in a sheltered location protected from high wind , which can stimulate faint arm to break .
Container plant life typically need more frequent , weekly lachrymation than those grown in the undercoat .
For container increment , apply pots and planters with drainage hole . I like to add up a two - inch layer of loose material such as broken pottery or pebbles to control the theme do n’t sit in water .
filling container with nutrient rich , humusy , well - draining dirt and transplant as report above .
Repot every two to three years , or when growth has doubled , softly trimming away approximately one - third of the roots and take the top two to four inches of soil .
Replant the trimmed beginning glob in a smart mix of fertile soil , replacing the top layer of ground as well .
Growing Tips
Pruning and Maintenance
True laurel responds well to pruning , and how much to prune depends on whether your tree diagram has been trained as a topiary , grown as a bush , or countenance to senesce into a full - sized tree .
For maintenance purposes , prune out any dead or damaged parting and branch in mid to late leaping .
For shrub and specimen plant , use a clean , sharp sawing machine or trimmer to take out dead or broken branch close to the automobile trunk , and remove any unwanted shank by cut them closemouthed to the stain .
Mature , full - grow trees seldom get leggy , but they can be pruned hard if greening is needed .
However , regrowth is dumb and it ’s upright to carry out hard pruning over a two- or three - yr catamenia to keep up some verdure while young emergence form . Cut back the stems by one - third or one - one-half in the first year , then ingeminate in years two and three as needed .
To reduce the breadth of plants with multiple stems , dispatch up to one third of the stem from the exterior perimeter , cutting at the grime level .
And do n’t discard the woods after pruning larger branches . alternatively , cleanse the limbs of foliation then veer the branches into six - in pieces and expend them on the BBQ to bestow a sweet , smoky feeling to grilled foods .
To exert a manageable hedging or shrub size , in late spring cut back the previous yr ’s growth by pruning staunch to a leaf bud pointing in the direction you want ontogenesis to follow .
Trim aside lower branch for a bare tree trunk , and remove sucker by reduce them just below soil level .
Through summer , pinch back any stem tips that have grown too long .
To keep topiaries laconic , in former summertime prune the current year ’s outgrowth by cutting back to leaf nodes face the centering of desired increment . mistreat back frequently to check your advance and to keep a balanced form , even trimming , and a harmonious shape .
Continue to crop topiary over summertime when emergence is most vigorous – a summer trim quickly promotes ramify with fresh outgrowth and lush , thick foliation .
discover more crest on pruning bay laurel here .
For wintertime attention , protect the stem zona with a thick , four - inchlayer of mulchusing compost , leafmold , untreated sawdust , or straw .
Should a period of freezing weather threaten , cross the foliation with a frost cover to prevent blackened leaves .
Containers can be protected by grade them in a sheltered location with mulch on the soil surface . Protect the tooth root by enclose the container with bubble wrapping or an old blanket until spring .
In expanse with harsh winters , move container indoors to a bright , cool room . Reduce water and fertiliser applications and return the pots outdoors once overnight temperature remain above 50 ° atomic number 9 .
Specimens spring up in the earth require little supplemental alimentation aside from a top dressing of two inches of compost in early spring .
Or you may use a balanced , dim outlet granular plant food in midspring and again in summer solstice .
Container works need more frequent feedings . utilise a liquid or water - soluble formula like fish or kelp photographic emulsion applied at half strength every two week from fountain until the end of August .
Neptune ’s Harvest Organic Fish and Seaweed
Neptune ’s Harvest Organic Fish and Seaweed plant food has a 2 - 3 - 1 ( NPK ) pattern that laurels enjoy and isavailable at Arbico Organics .
Bay Laurel Cultivars to Select
you could find bay laurel variety show in well - stocked garden centers and on-line shop .
Bay Laurel
Standard sized trees in containers areavailable at Nature HillsandBurpee .
In addition to the species plant , there are a number ofL. nobiliscultivars usable :
Aurea
‘ Aurea , ’ aka yellow - leave bay Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree , has burn , golden - jaundiced leaf , and grows up to 32 feet tall with a spread of 26 feet .
Crispa
‘ Crispa ’ has undulating , wavy leaf boundary and a pyramidal shape , reaching 15 feet tall and eight feet wide .
Little Ragu
A charming midget cultivar , Little Ragu ® ( ‘ MonRik ’ ) features profoundly aromatic , drab green foliation that grows in an well maintained pyramid flesh .
With a mature height and spread of six - to - eight feet , Little Ragu ® is idealistic for planters , pots , and urn , as a specimen or topiary criterion , or clip into a formal hedging .
Little Ragu ® can be purchased in baby’s room containersfrom Fast Growing Trees .
Or you’re able to assay your hired hand at seed - grow Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree , with seedsavailable at Walmart .
Saratoga
‘ spotted barramundi ’ is a male cultivar that does n’t bring about fruit . It grows to a mature height of up to 30 feet with a ranch of up to 25 feet .
Willow Leaf
Willow leafage , or narrow - leaved bay , ( L. nobilisf.angustifolia)features minute , fishgig - mould leaves .
Managing Pests and Disease
stout and easy naturalise , bay laurel is largely disease- and pest - destitute , with only a few problems that are easily remedied .
Sapsucking insect likeaphids , psyllid , and scale can cause icteric maculation on the leaves and may secrete a track of honeydew that can lead to problems likesooty mold .
Remove aphid and psyllid with a strong spray of waterfrom the garden hoseor cover trouble infestations and scale with a natural insect powder like neem petroleum .
Crown and root rotcan be a job in wet soil , causing yellowing leaves , wilting , and overall plant decline .
To keep problems like ascendent rot , ensure your Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree are planted in well - drain soil .
Plant inraised bedsif wet winter ground is common in your orbit or amend the planting site with plenty of grit to keep water flowing freely out from the roots .
For container works , give pots and planters a boneheaded layer of drain stuff at the bottom of the pot , and use only containers with drain hole .
Harvesting
After Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree are at least two years onetime , leafage can be harvest at any metre throughout the year , but the flavor is best in summertime .
with child , fledged leaves have more flavour and fragrance than tender fresh growth .
For the richest flavor , crop folio in the morning before the warmth from the sunlight take off to dispel the essential oils .
select gravid , level-headed leaves and nip off them off with clean , abrupt scissors .
happen more backsheesh on harvesting leaves here .
Preserving
To dry out Laurus nobilis leaves , trace a baking sail with sheepskin paper or paper towels and enter the leaves out in a single layer without overlapping .
Allow them to dry in a warm , dry position out of direct sunshine for 10 to 14 days .
you could also dry the leaves in a food dehydrator at its lowest setting , this would normally take a few hr , depending on the humidity . mark that a standard oven is too hot to dry out the leaves without burning them , even at its lowest setting .
stash away the dry Laurus nobilis leaves in a glass jar with a close fitting lid in a cool , dark closet for up to two days .
wise bay parting can be placed in a varnish container or ziptop old bag and stored in the icebox for up to two weeks .
Quick Reference Growing Guide
Tasty Ornamentals
Bay Arthur Stanley Jefferson Laurel is a wonderfully versatile Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree that adds visual interest to the garden all class long – and the tasty leaves are a toothsome addition to many recipes !
industrial plant in full Lord’s Day with well - debilitate territory and prune in summer for thick , lush leaf and to manage the size of container plants , hedges , screen , and topiary specimen .
For kitchen use , you’re able to reap the leaves at any time of the class , but they ’re most flavorful in summertime – call up to foot plenty to dry and store for winter use .
Andfor moreL. nobilisknow - how , check out these guides next :
Photos by Lorna Kring © Ask the Experts , LLC . ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.See our TOSfor more details . to begin with published March 7th , 2019 . Last updated August 16 , 2023 . Product photos via Arbico Organics , Fast Growing Trees , and Nature Hills Nursery . Uncredited photos : Shutterstock .
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Lorna Kring
