TREES > BAY
IN THIS GUIDE
BAY GUIDES
The bay tree , orLaurus nobilis , is an elegant evergreen plant shrub grown for its deliciously aromatic leave-taking that can be used as a seasoner in cooking .
Although bay trees can develop as high as 7.5 megabyte or more , they are often pruned or keep in container or stool to restrain their summit and spread .
Bay trees are behind - growing and have become a democratic ornamental Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree , often used for conventional displays
Their resplendently dark green leafage can be easily rationalise , clipped and trained into smashing topiary shapes .
Being evergreen , bay trees offer year - round interest , texture and structure to the garden .
They also bring on small , star - shaped , chicken - fleeceable flowers which blossom in spring which recrudesce into sour royal Charles Edward Berry in autumn .
Overview
Preferred SunlightFull Sun / Partial Shade
ExposureExposed or Sheltered
Height8 – 12 molar concentration
Spread8M+
Preferred Soil TypeChalk , loam , George Sand , clay
MoistureWell drained
pHAny
well recognizable by their fragrant , fluent , glabrous folio , bay Tree are evergreen trees or bush which are part of the florescence plant family of Lauraceae.1S. ( n.d.-e).Sweet Bay . Wisconsin Horticulture . retrieve March 13 , 2023 , fromhttps://hort.extension.wisc.edu/articles/sweet-bay-laurus-nobilis/
bay tree trees are aboriginal to the Mediterranean regions and can be used either fresh or dry out in cooking.2Laurus nobilis . ( n.d . ) . Kew Royal Botanic Gardens . call back March 13 , 2023 , fromhttps://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:465049-1
Why Grow Bay?
The bay trees calendered leaves have been treasured for centuries and are now a steady favourite among gardeners .
But , if you are n’t yet sell on this popular plant then allow us to break down incisively why we get it on them !
Bay leave of absence have a risque , peppery , aromatic flavour and are unremarkably used in curries , soups and stews .
It is also an essential ingredient in the herb mix ‘ Bouquet Garni ’ .
The leaves can be used impertinent , or you may harvest them and summertime and dry them .
Dried bay leaves have a much more robust flavour but should be stack away for no more than a year .
The plant itself is extremely resistant to plague so can be used as a comrade plant to aid protect other flora from infestation .
Dried bay foliage are also articulate to facilitate to protect lay in grains and beans and other solid food from weevils .
Because of the comfort in which they can be clipped and trained , bay tree can be grown as a screen or a hedging to render privacy and a shell from the constituent .
It is slowly - develop , however , so patience is a virtue with this practical works .
Bay Tree Varieties
There are only a few types of embayment Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree to pick out from , which means narrowing down the correct one for you is a piece of patty .
This large , erect evergreen plant shrub is the alcove tree most normally cultivated , and its leathery leafage are used in cooking for its aromatic flavourer .
TheLaurus nobilis , or species bay tree , can grow up to 12 thousand in height and over 8 m in spread , but is tardily - growing and can take up to 50 years to reach its full stature .
It is traditionally clipped and condition into beautiful , cosmetic topiary , providing sophisticated structure to formal gardens . It can also be used to make a hedging or screen , providing privacy to your garden .
Because it is easily grown in pots and containers , it is a staring addition to a garden of any size of it and can be grown both at heart and out .
TheL. nobilis‘Aurea ’ , commonly known as ‘ Golden Bay ’ , is a large evergreen plant bush or , eventually , a small Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree , grow to a maximum height of 8 m.
It sports attractive golden leaves which are peculiarly utile for providing wintertime colour , and these leafage can also be used in cookery .
Growing in a broad , conelike habit , this type of bay tree can also be clip and prepare into stylish shapes and can also make diminished hedges .
Like theL. nobilis , the lucky alcove can be grow either in the dry land or in large can or containers .
L. nobilis‘Angustifolia ’ is a rare shrub with slender , willow - like leave which can also be used in preparation .
Commonly known as a narrow - leaved embayment tree , this mintage can also be clipped creatively into a work of art and grows well both in the ground and large container .
This multifariousness is belittled and can reach an eventual height of around 6 m and 5 m in width , sometimes tall , although , as with the others , do n’t hold your breath as this can take up to 50 years .
How To Grow A Bay Tree
Bay trees are terrifically various and can be develop in spite of appearance or out and in the ground or in containers .
If planting in the garden , pick out a sheltered spot with well - drained soil , in full sun or partial wraith .
you could fix the soil by dig in compost and grit .
If you are set bay for formal structure , ensure that the young tree is stand straight to attain the best aesthetic .
Once planted , water well and continue to water regularly for a couple of weeks to help your bay establish itself .
If you are growing your bay in a container , then be sure to use tree and shrub compost , which usually check loam for constancy , and water well in summer when it is more likely to dry out out .
When growing bay trees inside , place it by a sunny window , avoiding exposure to draft and heated up appliances .
Bay Tree Plant Care
Bay tree are broadly trouble - free and leisurely to maintain ; the most complex care comes if you are train it as topiary .
Bay trees should be pruned in summertime with secateurs , and old plant can be cut back hard in tardy springtime to give them a new lease of life .
Be patient with old plant as it can take them a while to get their vitality back , so you may prune them over two years by cut half the stems back one yr and the other half the next twelvemonth .
Top tip : If you are trying to take aim your bay tree as a topiary specimen for the first time , we highly advocate purchasing a topiary frame . This will aid you sculpt your bay tree tree into your desired shape . For the best results , regularly snip through the growing time of year .
Bay trees are relatively bother - free , but there are a few matter to keep an optic out for .
“ Likely pests include bay gull , which are psyllid insect , and weighing machine insects , which cling tightly to stems , ” deal Peter Lickorish , Master Horticulturist .
“ Pyrethrum can be used to treat sap gull this , or nature can be used to solve your problem if you encourage ladybeetle , using bug hotel , to predate pests . ”
In gain to pests , Peter notes how the mood can sometimes cause some problems for these tree :
“ alcove tree have suffered from the inhuman winter 2022 - 23 in the UK , with many show brown foliage .
“ When dish out with frost damage , wait until alive ontogenesis summarize and frost are easing , around May , and cut back out affected leaves , cut back to the next salubrious leaf .
“ Avoiding planting tree in position facing east can preclude damage from speedy thawing after frosts .
“ K , often found in fertilisers marketed for tomatoes , can play like anti - immobilize and prevent some hoar damage . ”
Harvesting Bay Leaves
bay tree leaves can be harvested throughout the growing season ; however , if you wish well to harvest a large amount , we recommend doing so in June 21 when the leaves are at their peak and have the fullest flavor .
you may use the bay leaves fresh , or if you wish to dry them , place them on a baking sheet , space apart , so they are n’t touching and cover with a layer of paper towels .
Place the leave in a warm , wry location , out of direct sunlight .
After a week , toss the leave-taking and leave them to dry for another week and voila ! – your dried bay foliage are ready to go .
No matter what sizing your garden is , there is always elbow room for a embayment tree , and they are an excellent pick for beginners hoping to hone their topiary skills .
Whether they grow in the garden , or in pots , outdoors or at heart , Laurus nobilis trees will reinforce you , twelvemonth after twelvemonth , with their dish and deliciously flavourful leaves .
