Felder Rushing
Family
Lauraceae
Botanical Name
Laurus nobilis
Plant Common Name
Bay Laurel, Sweet Bay
General Description
This beautiful broadleaf evergreen is native to the dry climate surrounding the Mediterranean Sea. Valued since ancient times for its leathery, aromatic leaves, it is the sweet bay used for culinary seasoning, and was the stuff of the victor’s laurel crown awarded in the games of ancient Greece. Bay laurel is now grown in many countries as a commercial crop. It also makes a fine ornamental, and has yielded several cultivars with varying foliage forms and colors.
In its native habitat, bay laurel can grow to a tree of considerable height with age, but is most often seen as a large to medium-sized shrub. Its forms an upright, branching, conical form, with trunk and branches covered in glossy, pale gray bark. The leathery, pointed, dark green leaves are lance-shaped to broadly oval, with wavy, finely toothed margins, and emit a pungent fragrance when crushed or broken. Clusters of small, greenish yellow flowers appear in spring, with pollen-producing male flowers and fruit-bearing female flowers borne on separate plants. Following pollination, those of female plants mature to round, purple to black fruits that contain a single seed. These may cause problems with pavement staining if plants are sited too closely to walks or driveways.
Bay laurel is best grown in part sun to part shade, and fertile, well-drained soil. Regular moisture is ideal, but standing water or soggy conditions should be avoided. Protect from harsh winter winds to avoid desiccation of foliage. The plants are quite attractive if allowed to grow naturally, but have traditionally been sheared to create topiary forms or to limit their size (possibly to eliminate fruit production). Care should be taken if pruning, as the bark is susceptible to sunburn if the canopy is clipped to closely.
This handsome evergreen is suitable for mixed borders, foundation plantings, or as an accent in the home kitchen garden. Plants may be grown in containers to be brought indoors in colder regions. Fresh or dried bay leaves are a delicious seasoning for soups, stews and Italian dishes, and are an essential ingredient of bouquet garni, small bundles of herbs used in French cooking. Inserting the leaves into cereal or flour containers is a very effective old-time remedy for repelling pantry weevils.
Characteristics
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AHS Heat Zone
12 - 1
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USDA Hardiness Zone
8 - 11
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Sunset Zone
5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
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Plant Type
Tree
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Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun
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Height
5'-40' / 1.5m - 12.2m
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Width
5'-30' / 1.5m - 9.1m
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Bloom Time
Spring
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Native To
Mediterranean
Growing Conditions
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Soil pH
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
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Soil Drainage
Well Drained
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Soil type
Clay, Loam, Sand
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Tolerances
Drought
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Growth Rate
Medium
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Water Requirements
Average Water
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Habit
Pyramidal
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Seasonal Interest
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Ornamental Features
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Flower Interest
Insignificant
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Flower Color
Yellow Green
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Fruit Color
Black
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Foliage Color (Spring)
Dark Green
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Foliage Color (Summer)
Dark Green
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Foliage Color (Fall)
Dark Green
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Foliage Color (Winter)
Dark Green
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Bark Color
Gray
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Fragrant Foliage
Yes
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Bark or Stem Fragrant
No
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Flower Petal Number
Single
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Repeat Bloomer
No
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Showy Fruit
Yes
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Edible Fruit
No
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Showy Foliage
No
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Foliage Texture
Medium
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Foliage Sheen
Matte
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Evergreen
Yes
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Showy Bark
No
Special Characteristics
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Bark Texture
Smooth
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Usage
Container, Feature Plant, Foundation, Hedges, Herb / Vegetable, Mixed Border, Topiary / Bonsai / Espalier
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Sharp or Has Thorns
No
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Invasive
No
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Attracts
Birds
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Self-Sowing
Yes
