Bay laurel, Laurus nobilis, is native to the southern Mediterranean region. Laurus nobilis ‘Angustifolia’ (Narrow Leafed Bay) It has exactly the same habit as the standard Bay Tree (Laurus nobilis) but its narrower leaves mean that when clipped (as … Situating the plant in a very sunny location, pruning out crowded branches to promote air circulation, and letting soil dry between waterings usually takes care of any mildew. long (10 cm). Use caution when weeding or cultivating around the base of the tree. However it is slow-growing and may take several years to reach the desired height. Laurus nobilis - 'Bay Leaf Tree' - Bay Laurel or Sweet Bay - Live Plant. 9000 SE Division, Portland, OR 97266. It is a pyramidal, aromatic, evergreen tree or large shrub that grows to as much as 60’ tall, but is usually seen much smaller (10-30’ tall). This vigorous plant has the attributes of bay laurel (Laurus nobilis) but is a smaller with a more open habit and larger more rounded and lighter colored leaves. Marie Iannotti is an author, photographer, and speaker with 27 years of experience as a Cornell Cooperative Extension Horticulture Educator and Master Gardener, 20 Best Tall Plants for Container Gardens, How to Grow and Care for the Yesterday-Today-and-Tomorrow Plants, How to Grow and Care for the Autograph Tree. Plant your bay tree at the same depth as it was planted in its original pot. Bay, Laurus nobilis is one of the oldest shrubs in cultivation, introduced at least as early as 1650. Rate of Growth: Slow to moderate. Introducing "One Thing": A New Video Series, Bay tree, bay laurel, laurel tree, sweet bay, true laurel, laurel. But, if you cook with whole bay leaf, be sure to remove it before eating the food. (1988) p 90 Parts Shown: Leaf Photo. This particular species of Laurel boasts an aromatic fragrance and glossy dark green leaves. Phone: 503.231.5050 Effect of Laurus nobilis L. Essential Oil and its Main Components on α-glucosidase and Reactive Oxygen Species Scavenging Activity. Horticulture Week. Landscape Use: Background, screen, espalier, medicinal and culinary herb. Laurus nobilis (Sweet Bay) - Sweet Bay is a moderately slow growing dense evergreen shrub or small tree that reaches 10'-25' tall and almost as wide with very aromatic elliptical 3 to 5 inch long leathery dark green leaves. Laurus nobilis 'Angustifolia' Plant Citations. © 2020 Regents of the University of Minnesota. If your bay is hit by a light frost, the leaves will probably turn brown and dry. In areas with hot, dry summers, some afternoon shade is ideal. The oval leaves can be 5 to 6 inches in length and are a mild to olive green color on the upper surface and lighter below with the new growth and leaf petioles tinged red. Amend heavy soils with plenty of compost, and add pumice to increase drainage. If left unpruned, bay trees can grow 60 feet tall. Hokwerda H, Bos R, Tattje DH, Malingre TM. Bay laurel is used in stews, soups, tomato sauces, on fish and pretty much anywhere you want a subtle, earthy flavor. In spring, yellow buds appear, opening to clusters of fluffy yellow flowers, adding a lovely contrast amongst the foliage. Taking the whole, intact leaf by mouth is LIKELY UNSAFE.The leaf can't be digested, so it remains intact while passing through the digestive … Maintenance: Bay plants are not heavy feeders, but an application of organic all-purpose or tree/shrub fertilizer in spring and again in midsummer will keep your in-ground plant healthy and happy. (However due to high demand we are currently shipping orders within 8 - … Locations | The University of Minnesota is an equal opportunity educator and employer. It is often used to deter pests from other plants and in the pantry. Willow or Narrow Leaf Sweet Bay has long narrow fragrant evergreen leaves that can be used for the same culinary uses as regular Sweet Bay. Bay has also been a traditional medicinal plant, with uses as varied as earaches, rheumatism, and insect repellent. The leaves are also used to make wreaths and garlands. 3.8 out of 5 stars 356. Indoor plants may be affected by scale. For container-planted bay, a regular feeding schedule is essential, although it’s still important not to over-fertilize. For garden purposes, it is often pruned to 8’ tall or less. Our mail order delivery service is running as normal. To keep your potted bay tree portable, keep it pruned to no taller than 5 to 6 feet. Several cultivars have been selected, including: 'Aurea', with yellowish young foliage; 'Angustifolia' (also called willow-leaf bay), with narrow lance-shaped leaves; and 'Undulata' with wavy leaf margins. Discover RHS expert help and advice on growing, feeding, pruning and propagating plants. If your tree does show signs of die-back in the spring, prune the stem down to below the damage and new growth should fill in. Bay plants are dioecious, meaning male and female flowers occur on separate plants, and each are needed to produce fruit and seed. Leaves are left whole to cook, but are not themselves eaten because they are stiff and sharp and can potentially cause damage to the mouth or throat if ingested. The leaves produce the best flavor if the plant is given full sun for a portion of the year. Form & Character: Seldom seen evergreen large shrub to tree, formal, stiff, dense, often cone-like in form. It’s an essential foliage plant for herb gardens, its leaves commonly used in curries and as part of a bouquet garni. Leaves of the bay tree have many culinary uses. Use a balanced organic fertilizer about three times a year: in spring, summer, and early fall for best results. San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden, 3450 Dairy Creek Road, San Luis Obispo, CA, 93405, United States 805.541.1400, TAX ID 77-0248682 info@slobg.org 805.541.1400, TAX ID 77-0248682 info@slobg.org There are only a few varieties of bay available, but they are all evergreen and good for culinary use. This relatively new introduction has a denser habit than straight Laurus nobilis and has proved to be slightly more hardy too according to the growers. March 2, 2006. p 6 Parts Shown: Habit Photo. All rights reserved. In-ground planted bay is drought tolerant once established. It’s slightly tender when young and benefits from shelter and protection in winter. The dark green leaves are very fragrant, especially when dried. Learn tips for creating your most beautiful (and bountiful) garden ever. Sign up today! Bay is commonly pruned to keep its size in check and/or create a more ornamental tree. More, David. There are other plants that go by the common names of bay and sweet bay and these are not necessarily edible. Outdoors, grow in full sun and very well-drained soil. Laurus nobilis is an aromatic evergreen tree or large shrub with green, glabrous smooth leaves, in the flowering plant family Lauraceae. However, you may have trouble keeping your indoor bay tree from drying out in the low humidity of your home. Scale can sometimes become a problem and there are moths that will lay their eggs between two leaves and sort of fuse them together with a cottony fluff. Your subscription gives you an instant 25% off your entire pottery purchase! Whether they season as well as regular Laurus nobilis is a matter of personal taste. Composition of essential oils of Laurus nobilis, L. nobilis var. There are also a few ornamental cultivars of Laurus nobilis. Bay trees can take decades to become mature enough to flower. Great as a container or hedg Laurus nobilis ‘Angustifolia’ – This variety has leaves that are more narrow than the common type, which makes it even better as an ornamental addition to the garden. It also helps to refresh the top couple of inches of soil each spring, being careful not to hurt the shallow roots. If you see two bay leaves stuck together with a cottony substance, peel them apart and destroy any caterpillars you find. For the most part, the bay is pest-free. Together with a gold form, L. nobilis 'Aurea' and a willow-leaved form L. nobilis f. angustifolia, it has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit. In the spring, sweet bay has small yellow flowers that develop into purple berries in the fall. Referenced in ancient texts, this evergreen bears leathery deep green leaves that figure prominently as a seasoning in Mediterranean cuisine. Cultivated around the Mediterranean since at least Roman times, Laurus nobilis (Bay Laurel) is a slow-growing, evergreen shrub or small tree of densely pyramidal-oval habit. Bay is also a traditional component of the French bouquet garni herbs. A south-facing wall near a building, or a brick or stone structure will retain heat and help keep your plant cozy. 5050 SE Stark, Portland, OR 97215, Portland Nursery on Division Feed container-grown bay in the spring and maybe again mid-summer, using a balanced organic fertilizer like fish emulsion and kelp. In ancient Greece, one of the highest honors one could receive was a wreath made from bay. Pruning is usually done in the spring, as new growth is just beginning. Yearly Events | Find specific plants with our Plant Finder & Plant Selector. Portland Nursery on Stark Laurus nobilis ‘Aureus’ – This type has dark green leaves that start out as lime green when young. Habit: Laurus nobilis 'Aurea' grows to be a large densely branching shrub or eventually a small tree in many years. The Latin name, Laurus nobilis, means praise and nobility. You shouldn’t need to re-pot more than once every five years. Frequent pruning will mean fewer flowers and berries. $5.99 shipping. Even leaves that dry and fall off the tree are still fragrant and usable. Classes | Dark green, highly aromatic foliage is valued as a flavorful culinary seasoning. Scientific: Laurus nobilis Common: laurel bay, sweet bay Family: Lauraceae Origin: Mediterranean region Pronounciation: La-U-rus NO-blis Hardiness zones Sunset 5-9, 12-24 USDA 8-11. Bay can be a bit frost-tender (it will suffer if temperatures fall too far below freezing, and may die in more severe cold), and does not prefer soggy soils, but if precautions are taken against frost and soil is amended to promote good drainage, bay is a care-free plant. New growth is bright gold. Slender, upright form grows slowly and gracefully into a small pyramidal tree, ideal for topiary. The leaves are said to repel pantry moths when placed in cupboards. In its native habitat, the slow-growing tree can reach heights of 40 feet or more, but home-grown bay usually remains much smaller. Bay leaves are used either fresh or dry to flavor all kinds of savory recipes, from soups and stews to rice or meat dishes. Bay seems to grow best when it's a little cramped in its pot, even to the point of roots starting to poke out the bottom. Best known as a seasoning, bay laurel is an evergreen shrub or tree that is native to the Mediterranean area. Laurus nobilis - 'Angustifolia' (Willow Leaf Bay): Bay is tough fast growing evergreen tree that will tolerate a wide range of soil types, prefering a location in full sun but will tolerate part shade. You can prune as much or as little as you like, to keep the tree small or to create a topiary artwork. Miracle Botanicals Wildcrafted Laurel Leaf Essential Oil - 100% Pure Laurus Nobilis - 10ml or 30ml Sizes - Therapeutic Grade (5ML) 4.6 out of 5 stars 20. Bay is also a traditional component of the French bouquet garni herbs. Situate the plant in a warm spot, such as near a south-facing wall, and protect from the wind. As a seasoning, dried leaves are broken or crumbled into cooking foods and allowed to permeate the dish. Often the tree will recover on its own, the following spring. Iranian Journal of pharmaceutical research: IJPR, 12(2), 367–379. Powdery mildew is sometimes an issue. The plant Laurus nobilis (family Lauraceae) is widely cultivated in many regions of the world where it is used primarily as a culinary herb now but in its native Mediterranean it was also used medicinally and culturally. If your bay tree is in a pot, use a good-quality, fast-draining potting soil. Propagation by stem cuttings is also possible, but they may take a very long time to root. Laurus nobilis is among Boething Treeland Farms’ most popular trees. Can be clipped into a formal hedge or topiary form. Common Name: Bay laurel, sweet bay, culinary bay. (Narrow-leaved Bay Tree) Laurus nobilis 'Angustifolia' is a rare shrub has slender, evergreen leaves which release an aromatic scent when bruised and can be used in cooking. The leaves don’t soften much in cooking and are removed before eating. Although bay can grow into a tall tree, it is often kept smaller by pruning or by confining it in a container. Laurus nobilis, commonly called bay laurel, is native to the Mediterranean. Pruning can be done to shape the plant as desired. Bay Laurel is commonly known as Laurus nobilis or Sweet Bay. Re-pot as necessary, when the roots start to come out the bottom of the pot. Home | It has attractive foliage and can easily be pruned and sheared into topiary shapes. Water it regularly but always allow the soil to dry out between waterings, so the roots don’t rot. Laurus nobilis: Bay Laurel A plant of much renown and lore, bay is an essential culinary herb with a long history. The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Trees. Bay is only hardy in USDA hardiness zones 8 through 10. It is native to the Mediterranean region and is used as bay leaf for seasoning in cooking. It can easily be pruned into a bushy shrub, small tree, or even a topiary form. The Complete Book of Herbs. Leaves are glossy and oval in shape and hang from red-brown branches. Starting from seed is tricky, as bay seeds can take months to germinate under specific conditions. A robust sweet bay with wavy-edged, emerald green leaves. Although your bay tree will probably go dormant and drop a few leaves, you do not want its soil to remain dry for extended periods. Alternative medicine Laurus nobilis essential oil in … A plant of much renown and lore, bay is an essential culinary herb with a long history. It is prized for its aromatic, narrowly ovate, leathery leaves, up to 4 in. Bay leaf and bay leaf oil is LIKELY SAFE for most people in food amounts. If you want to grow your bay tree in the ground, identify a warm microclimate in your yard. Laurus nobilis ‘Angustifolia’ has long willowy leaves with a slight wave to the edge of the leaf adding to its aesthetic qualities. This tree is not too particular about soil type, but it must be well-draining. The Latin name, Laurus nobilis, means praise and nobility. Outdoors, certain moths occasionally lay eggs between leaves, and the larvae can chew holes, though outbreaks are not usually bad enough to greatly disfigure the plant. The dark green leaves are very fragrant, especially when dried. Pests and Diseases: Bay is generally not bothered by many problems. In cooler areas, bring it indoors for the winter. Bay roots are very shallow, and frequent watering may be necessary during dry spells. Can be pruned yearly to limit the size if required. As a seasoning, dried leaves are broken or crumbled into cooking foods and allowed to permeate the dish. A 24-inch pot should be fine for a 4- to 6-foot tree. Because bay is a very slow grower, it can be grown as an ornamental and it is even better suited to growing in a pot. Laurus nobilis L.Bay Laurel (Laurus angustifolia, Laurus aurea, Laurus officinale, Laurus undulata) Other Common Names: Bay, Bay Tree, Cooking Bay, Laurel, Grecian Laurel, Greek Laurel, Sweet Bay, … Though it is native to the rocky shores of the Mediterranean, bay is surprisingly easy to grow in the Pacific Northwest. Laurus nobilis is a stunning plant and a popular choice for hedging, topiary or a specimen plant.View Full Details It has the attributes of Laurus nobilis but is smaller with a more open habit and larger more rounded and lighter colored leaves. It’s very important that you grow only plants labeled Laurus nobilis if you plan to use the leaves for cooking and eating. Bay can be trimmed and shaped and is often seen in formal and herb gardens where it is confined with annual shaping; it is also often grown in large pots as a specimen. Laurus Nobilis - Flemish Laurel tree : Cultivars, Muses of Alloro, Let s be inspired. Bremness, Lesley. You can begin harvesting leaves when your tree is several feet tall, but you can always use the pruned leaves in the meantime. If you grow your bay tree indoors, keep it near a sunny window for the winter. Watch for waxy spots on stems and leaves, and remove with cotton swabs dipped in rubbing alcohol. Bay is also well suited to container culture. Container-grown trees and trees that are regularly pruned will not get anywhere near that tall. This is ideal if you have a very small garden, or if your climate is cold enough to where you’ll need to bring the plant inside for the winter. Native to the Mediterranean, the bay tree is well known for its culinary use, often added to soups and stews. Laurus nobilis 'Aurea' will grow best when planted in a position sheltered from cold winter winds and may require protection in severe winters. In ancient Greece, one of the highest honors one could receive was a wreath made from bay. Willow-leaf bay. It can grow in shade but will have a denser growth habit in sun. Long, slender leaves and compact habit. But be advised that some people find sweet bay to be a skin irritant. Laurus 'Saratoga' (Saratoga bay laurel) grows 25-30 ft tall and nearly as wide. Ground bay leaf is POSSIBLY SAFE when taken by mouth in medicinal amounts, short-term. angustifolia and Laurus azorica. Avoid exposure to both drafts and heat from appliances. Keep a frost blanket on hand and cover the plant when temperatures threaten to fall below 25 degrees F. Mulching around the base of the plant with leaves or straw can help insulate the soil, but be sure to remove the mulch in the spring to allow the soil to warm up and dry out more quickly. Bay laurels are versatile plants that can thrive indoors and out. Since it is quite slow-growing, it can live a long time in a pot. Laurus nobilis piramides. $8.99 $ 8. Purchasing potted bay from the Nursery is by far the easiest and most reliable source of plants! 99. Growing Sweet Bay Plants (Laurus nobilis) Sweet Bay (Laurus nobilis) reaches a height of 40 feet in its native Mediterranean reqion.However, Bay trees are slow growers and if grown in containers, they can be kept to a very manageable size with only a small amount of clipping. Bay makes a popular container plant that can live for decades. It is an upright, hardy evergreen tree with deep green, aromatic foliage.