Laurus nobilis (Bay Laurel)

Cultivated around the Mediterranean since Roman times, Laurus nobilis (Bay Laurel) is a slow-growing, evergreen shrub or small tree of densely pyramidal-oval habit. It is prized for its aromatic, narrowly ovate, leathery leaves, up to 4 in. long (10 cm). Beautiful through the seasons, they are useful in cooking and indispensable in French and other Mediterranean cookery. Small pale greenish-yellow flowers borne in dense clusters bloom in spring. They are followed by glossy purple-black berries on female plants. Long-lived, Bay Laurel is wonderful for topiary and hedges, essential in the herb garden and serves as a great container plant.

• Recipient of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society.
• Grows up to 12-40 ft. tall and wide (3-12 m). Size and shape can easily be controlled by pruning.
• Performs best in full sun or part shade in rich, moist, well-drained soils. Salt tolerant.
• A charming addition to coastal gardens, herb gardens, Mediterranean gardens, or containers. It can be grown as a screen or hedge.
• Pick green leaves for use at any time. Dry them out of direct sunshine and store them in an airtight bottle.
• Generally trouble-free, but keep an eye out for bay sucker, horse chestnut scale, soft scale, tortrix moth, powdery mildew, and leaf spot.
• Propagate 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 be allowed to dry out.
• Native to Northern Africa, Western Asia, and Southern Europe.
• Toxic to dogs, toxic to cats, toxic to horses.