Laurus nobilis – Bush

Bay Tree, Sweet Bay, Bay Laurel

(5 customer reviews)

Laurus nobilis is likely known foremost by its immediately recognisable leaf – the bay leaf, a popular culinary herb. However, The Bay Tree also makes for a brilliant ornamental evergreen tree that is particularly tolerant of drought.

Laurus nobilis Bush is a medium sized bush form of the species which has grown in a natural, unpruned shape.

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Origin: Mediterranean Europe
Genus: Laurus
Species / Cultivar: nobilis
Common Name: Bay Tree, Sweet Bay, Bay Laurel
Synonym: Laurus angusta

Plant Biography

Native to the Mediterranean, the Bay Laurel has a long history of uses in the surrounding cultures. The leaves are, of course, often used as a herb in food, but in the past were often used to tree ailments from bronchitis to influenza.

The fruit, oil from the fruit and the sticks all too have a wide variety of historical and contemporary uses, with the latter being used in Madeira as BBQ skewers to impart aromatic flavours into the food as it heats.

Whether the foliage is utilised in an herb garden or not, they are particularly attractive – growing on brown stems, the lush green leaves are leathery with a finely serrated wrinkled margin.

Laurus nobilis – Bush
Soil: Moist but Well Drained
Soil that allows water to drain at a moderate rate, without the water pooling.
Growth Rate: Slow
This plant is particularly slow to grow, even during growing season.
Water Requirement: Medium
Once it is established, this plant is likely to only require watering during drier periods.
Maintenance: Low
Minimal skill or input needed beyond the basics, a very independent plant.
Situation: Full Sun to Part Shade
Enjoys direct sun most of the day, but tolerant of fewer sunlit hours or light dappling.
Eventual Height: 7.5m
The plant's ultimate height in typical growing conditions.
Eventual Spread: 5m
The plant's ultimate spread in typical growing conditions.
Hardiness: Fully Hardy
Will survive unprotected outdoors in most areas of the UK, even in the harshest winters.
Habit: Evergreen
Always in leaf throughout the year. It won't lose all its leaves at any one time.

Expert Tip

The Bay Tree is very accommodating to pruning if the size and shape becomes too much for the space it's in, or pruned into topiary for a more formal appeal.
Laurus nobilis Garden Design

Laurus nobilis Garden Design

The tree itself also has a wide variety of uses when it comes to gardening. It can be used as a small tree in a herb garden, or several can be planted in a row to create a screening privacy hedge that stays green all year round.

It looks great and is often used in patio tubs.

Care & Size Guidance

Care & Size Guidance

Laurus nobilis is particularly drought tolerant and can be planted in a variety of well drained soil types, and in a variety of locations – in full sun to partial shade.

Superb specimen of a plant full of leaves, many stems and fast shipping and expertise packing assured safe arrival.

Les Pickin

Superb specimen of a plant full of leaves, many stems and fast shipping and expertise packing assured safe arrival.

5 customer reviews for Laurus nobilis – Bush

Excellent condition, delivery times and well developed plant. A complete bargain for its height!

Andi F.

Super size, extremely robust plants with lots of good stems. Well potted and on the tall size of the description. Courier firm where I live was really helpful and friendly, even going the extra mile to provide me with a rough time for delivery. Very happy and impressed all round.

Chris S.

Superb specimen of a plant full of leaves, many stems and fast shipping and expertise packing assured safe arrival.

Les Pickin

Arrived well packaged. Good sized, vigourous looking plant. Excellent value.

Christopher Hobday