Bay Laurel (Laurus nobilis) – Evergreen Culinary Herb

£6.75

Bay Laurel (Laurus nobilis), also called Sweet Bay, is the true culinary bay: a glossy evergreen whose aromatic leaves flavour stocks, stews, sauces and puddings. Supplied as a young plant in a 9cm pot, ready to grow on into a handsome patio specimen that you can clip into a ball, cone or standard.

Product Highlights

✔ The true culinary bay, Laurus nobilis
✔ Glossy evergreen leaves to pick all year round
✔ Slow-growing and easy to clip into topiary shapes
✔ Perfect for patio pots by the kitchen door
✔ Long-lived: a plant to enjoy for many years

What You Receive

1 healthy, established Bay Laurel (Laurus nobilis) plant (Laurus nobilis) in a 9cm pot
Grown and packed with care in the UK

Why You'll Love It

Fresh bay leaves are far more fragrant than dried ones from a jar
Year-round structure and greenery in a pot
A young plant you can train into your own topiary
A classic, timeless addition to any kitchen garden

Folklore & Fascinating Facts

In Greek myth, the nymph Daphne was turned into a laurel tree to escape Apollo, who then wore laurel leaves in her memory.
Victors at the ancient Pythian Games, held in Apollo's honour, were crowned with laurel wreaths.
The words 'poet laureate' and 'baccalaureate' both come from the laurel, a symbol of honour and achievement.
Bay trees were once planted by doorways in the belief that they protected the house from lightning and ill fortune.

A Gift That Keeps Growing

An evergreen gift that lasts for years: grow it on in a handsome pot by the kitchen door and pick fresh leaves whenever you cook.

Botanical name: Laurus nobilis

Common name: Bay Laurel, Sweet Bay, Bay Tree

Life cycle: Evergreen shrub or small tree

Height: Easily kept at 1–2m in a pot; much larger if planted out over many years

Position: Full sun or partial shade, sheltered

Soil: Well-drained, moderately fertile

Hardiness: Hardy once established; protect young and potted plants in hard frost

Suitable for containers: Yes, ideal

Suitable for beginners: Yes

Planting

Location: Sun or partial shade, sheltered from cold, drying winds.

Planting time: Spring to early autumn. Young plants are best grown in pots for their first few years.

Containers: Pot on into a slightly larger container each spring using a loam-based compost with added grit.

Care

Watering: Water regularly in summer but never leave the pot standing in water; water sparingly in winter.

Feeding: Feed with a balanced liquid feed every few weeks from spring to late summer.

Pruning: Clip in late spring and again in late summer to keep a neat shape.

Harvesting & Storage

Harvesting: Pick mature leaves as needed all year. Leave young plants to bulk up before harvesting heavily.

Storage: Use fresh, or dry leaves flat somewhere warm and airy and store in an airtight jar.

UK Growing Conditions

Bay is hardy in much of the UK once established, but young plants and pot-grown bays need protection in hard frosts. Move pots against a sheltered wall or into a cool porch or greenhouse in severe weather, and wrap the pot to protect the roots.

Culinary Uses

Add a leaf or two to stocks, soups, stews, casseroles, tomato sauces, rice dishes and bouquet garni. Bay also infuses milk for rice pudding and custard. Remove leaves before serving.

Garden Benefits

A glossy evergreen that gives year-round structure to patios and kitchen gardens. Easily clipped into balls, cones and standards.

Plants: Plants are carefully packed and normally dispatched within 2–4 working days. Some plants may be delivered at the most appropriate time for planting or potting on.

Seeds and garden supplies: Seeds and garden supplies are normally dispatched within 2–4 working days.

Seasonal items: Bulbs, bare-root plants, trees and other seasonal products may be dispatched at the appropriate planting time to support successful establishment.