Bay Tree

The Bay Tree (Laurus nobilis 'Miles Choice') is the classic culinary bay, selected for dense even growth. Left alone it makes a broad column to about 5m tall and 3m wide, but it is slow, and most gardeners hold it far lower as a clipped hedge, a standard or a pot specimen by the kitchen door. Cream flowers appear in spring, though the leaves are the reason to plant it.

Why you'll love it

• You cook with it. Fresh or dried leaves go into stocks, sauces and slow cooked dishes, and one plant supplies a household.
• It takes clipping beautifully. Dense growth and firm leaves hold a sharp edge, the traditional choice for balls, cones and standards.
• Slow means low maintenance. It will not outgrow its position in a hurry, so a formal shape stays under control with one or two trims a year.
• Tough in the open. Frost hardy, drought tolerant once established, and comfortable with salt and wind, so exposed and coastal courtyards suit it.

Where it works best

Topiary and pots. A 400mm or larger container holds a clipped ball or standard for years. Pairs either side of a doorway remain the best use.

Hedging and screening. Plant 1m apart in a single row for a formal hedge from 1.5m to 3m. Slow growth means it takes three or four seasons to close, but it stays tidy once there.

Feature planting. Left untrimmed it becomes a handsome evergreen small tree, dark and glossy through winter.

Growing the Bay Tree in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun to part shade. It suits Mediterranean, warm temperate, cool temperate and subtropical gardens, and being frost hardy it handles southern winters once established. In humid subtropical summers give it space and airflow, since crowded plants attract scale and sooty mould.

Soil. Free draining, moderately fertile soil. Wet feet are the main risk, so avoid low spots and use a quality potting mix with added drainage in containers.

Water and feed. Water weekly through the first two summers, then only in dry spells for plants in the ground. Pots need water year round. Feed in early spring and again in summer with a balanced fertiliser.

Pruning. Trim in late spring and again in late summer for formal shapes, cutting with secateurs rather than shears, which slice the leaves and leave brown edges. It reshoots from old wood, so an overgrown plant can be brought back.

What to expect when it arrives

It is grown in seven sizes. The 140mm packs of 10, 200mm packs of 6 and 250mm packs of 3 are the way to plant a hedge, accepting that bay takes its time. The 300mm, 400mm and 500mm plants are bushy and ready to shape, and the 100L is a mature specimen with immediate presence.

Plants travel upright and are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Advanced and large stock is freighted at cost. Expect slow steady growth, roughly 200mm to 300mm a year once settled. Every plant carries our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Browse other edible plants for a kitchen garden.
• See more plants that take clipping for formal work.
• How to create a great hedge covers spacing and trim timing.
• Find a plant suited to pots to sit alongside it.

Common questions

Can I keep it in a pot permanently?

Yes, and most people do. Use a 400mm or larger pot, water year round, and root prune or pot up every three to four years to keep it healthy.

Is it safe for pets?

No. Bay leaves are toxic to cats and dogs, so we do not list it as pet friendly. It is safe for people to cook with, but keep fallen leaves picked up if your dog chews foliage.

When can I start picking leaves?

Once the plant is established and putting on new growth, usually the second season. Take older leaves from the lower branches and leave the new growth to build the plant.