Bay (Laurus nobilis), also known as bay laurel or the bay tree, is an evergreen shrub with aromatic leaves, known as bay leaves. Laurus nobilis one of the oldest shrubs in cultivation, introduced to British gardens in from as early as 1650. It’s an essential foliage plant for herb gardens – bay leaves can be used in a variety of dishes, including soups and stews and even ice cream, and are the main ingredient in a ‘bouquet garni’. They can be dried for storing or used fresh.
Bay is slow-growing and, while a plant will eventually become a tree up to 8m tall, it will take many years to do this and can be clipped to keep it at the desired size. Bay trees are traditionally trained and clipped as topiary, and bring a touch of formality to the garden. Laurus nobilis is often sold as a standard lollipop tree or shaped into a cone, or with plaited or spiral stems, and can be used as an alternative to yew or box topiary – especially useful as box is now affected by box tree caterpillar and box blight. Bay grows extremely well in pots and standard plants look particularly good either side of a front door, creating a formal, year-round display.
Bay is a dioecious plant, which means it has male and female flowers on separate plants. Male and female plants are not identified in garden centres, as most gardeners grow them only for their foliage. The flowers are insignificant and the berries are inedible.
Bay laurel is sometimes confused with cherry laurel (Prunus laurocerasus) and Portuguese laurel (Prunus lusitanica). These evergreen shrubs are mostly used as hedging and all parts of the plants are poisonous.
When it comes to landscaping size matters. Choosing the right sized bay plant for your yard or garden space is crucial to ensure it thrives and enhances your outdoor area. In this article I’ll discuss the key factors to consider when selecting a bay plant, the various size options available, and tips for caring for your bay plant.
Why Size Matters
The mature size of a bay plant is one of the most important considerations when choosing one for your landscape. A plant that grows too large can quickly become unmanageable, taking over your yard. On the other hand, a bay plant that is too small may get lost in a larger space or not provide the visual impact you desire.
Selecting a bay plant variety that will reach an appropriate mature size for the area you want to place it will ensure it fits the space properly and achieves the aesthetic you’re going for. It also reduces the need for excessive pruning or removal later on.
Factors That Determine Size
Several key factors determine how large a bay plant will grow
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Species or cultivar: There are over 150 species of bay plants, ranging in size from small shrubs to large trees. Cultivars can also vary significantly in mature height and width.
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Growing conditions: Factors like sunlight, soil quality, and climate impact how big a bay plant will get. Those grown in ideal conditions tend to reach larger sizes.
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Pruning and maintenance: Regular pruning and trimming can restrict a bay plant’s size. Allowing it to grow freely will result in a larger plant.
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Container vs. ground planting: Bay plants confined to pots generally won’t grow as large as those planted in the ground.
Popular Size Options
Bay plants come in a wide range of sizes to suit any landscape need:
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Dwarf varieties: Dwarf bay laurel and dwarf cherry bay max out at around 3 feet tall and wide. Perfect for containers.
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Compact varieties: Sweet bay and willow leaf bay grow to 6-8 feet. Nice for borders or hedges.
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Mid-size varieties: Silk bay and California bay reach 10-20 feet tall. Good for screens or specimen plants.
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Large varieties: Arizona bay and red bay grow upwards of 40-60 feet tall. Best for shade trees or woodland settings.
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Shrub forms: Can be pruned to maintain smaller sizes. Ideal for topiaries.
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Tree forms: Allowed to grow naturally into small trees. Provide height and structure.
Caring for Your Bay Plant
To keep your bay plant healthy and maintain its size, provide:
- Well-draining soil
- Regular watering with good drainage
- Mulch to retain moisture
- Pruning in early spring to shape and restrict size
- Ample sunlight (at least 6 hours a day)
- Protection from harsh winds or cold
Proper siting, pruning, and care will allow your bay plant to thrive at its ideal size.
Finding the Right Fit
When shopping for a new bay plant, be sure to consider the mature height and width along with your landscape goals. This will help you select the perfect size plant to enhance your yard or garden. With the right variety, proper care, and routine pruning, your bay plant can remain a stunning yet manageable addition to your outdoor space for years to come.
Growing bay: jump links
Bay hails from the Mediterranean, so does best in full sun to partial shade, ideally in a sheltered position, as it’s not completely hardy when young. In exposed gardens, bay can cope with temperatures down to about -5ºC but can suffer leaf damage. This is easily solved by covering plants with garden fleece in winter or moving pot-grown bays to a more sheltered spot.
Bay tends to be hardier when planted directly into the garden, as plants can put down a more comprehensive root system. Well-drained soil is essential. If planted in the ground and left to grow unclipped, expect plants to reach a height of up to 8m.
Where to buy bay online
Laurus nobilis growing in the ground should get all the water they need from rainfall. you’re growing bay trees in pots, don’t allow the compost to dry out in summer, but do allow any excess to drain away, as too much water will rot the roots. Reduce watering in winter. Feed with a liquid feed every few weeks in spring and summer. If possible, repot every two or three years – if your plant is to too big to do this, scrape away the top layer of compost and replace with fresh.
Prune bay in summer with secateurs. Old plants can be rejuvenated by cutting them back hard in late spring. It’s best to do this over two years as bay can be slow to bounce back – cut half the stems back in year one and the rest in year two. Bay trees are becoming increasingly popular as topiary, due to their resilience to regular pruning. Consider buying a topiary frame if you haven’t tried the technique before and prune several times over the growing season for the best results. When pruning or clipping bay, avoid using hedge shears, as half cut leaves will look unsightly.
CHOOSING THE RIGHT LANDSCAPE SIZE: Tips for Success
How do I choose the right plant for the right place?
Choosing the “right plant for the right place” is an important consideration for all types of landscaping. Ignoring this guideline may lead to increased maintenance, a failure of plants to thrive, and sometimes the death of installed plant material. Careful planning and site evaluation are the first steps in applying this concept.
How do you choose a resistant plant?
If two plants have similar form, function, and aesthetic qualities but one has an insect or disease problem and the other has none, it makes sense to choose the resistant species. For example, European birch ( Betula pendula) is often used as a landscape tree but the bronze birch borer significantly impacts it.
Which cultivar is best for low-maintenance landscaping?
The cultivar Heritage™ has the desired lighter colored, exfoliating bark and is the preferred species to use in the landscape. Low-maintenance landscaping does not mean that no maintenance will be required, as all plants will require some routine care in order to succeed.
What is a good choice for a garden walkway?
Bricks, natural stones, concrete, and pavers are popular choices for pathways as they can be arranged in a variety of patterns such as herringbone, basketweave, or running bond styles. Natural patterns made by the stone’s unique features inject warmth and prosperity into garden walkways.