Bay Tree Laurus nobilis
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- law-russ NO-bil-iss
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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Sweet bay is an evergreen tree or shrub in the laurel family (Lauraceae) native to the lands around the Mediterranean Basin. The species epithet is Latin for “noble” or “renowned” and refers to its well-known use as a culinary herb.
Sweet bay tolerates a variety of well-drained soil types in full sun to partial shade. It grows slowly but has been used as a hedge or as a topiary. It needs to be brought indoors in the winter in areas colder than zone 8b to prevent frost damage.
In its native habitat, it can reach up to 60 feet tall. In NC, it is generally grown in a container as a patio or houseplant and is much smaller. The aromatic leaves are used in cooking soups and pastas. It has separate male and female plants (i.e., it is dioecious), with only the female ones producing the fleshy, black drupes.
Use Sweet bay as a small tree in an herb garden, or plant several for a screen or a privacy hedge. It can be pruned into a topiary and is suitable for a formal English garden, winter garden or cottage garden. Its evergreen leaves and fissured dark gray bark make it an excellent choice as a specimen for shady locations and also give it good winter interest.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Scales and psyllids are occasional pests. This plant is susceptible to laurel wilt, phytophthora and root rot.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Laurus
- Species:
- nobilis
- Family:
- Lauraceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- It is used in herbal medicine and in massage therapy.
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Mediterranean
- Fire Risk Rating:
- low flammability
- Wildlife Value:
- Trees attract birds.
- Edibility:
- Leaves are used to flavor foods while cooking, but the leaves should not be eaten for a variety of reasons including but not limited to choking and creating cuts inside the digestive tract or/ and mouth because the leaves are sharp.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 8 ft. 0 in. - 12 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 8 ft. 0 in. - 30 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Edible
- Herb
- Houseplant
- Perennial
- Shrub
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Conical
- Dense
- Oval
- Pyramidal
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Occasionally Dry
- Occasionally Wet
- Available Space To Plant:
- 6-feet-12 feet
- 12-24 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Black
- Purple/Lavender
- Fruit Type:
- Drupe
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- Small, black or purple drupes, ¼ inch to ½ inch in diameter. Dried fruits can cause a litter problem if planted near patios, decks or walkways.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- White
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Description:
- Dioecious, meaning there are male and female trees. Green, white, or yellow flowers appear in the spring from March to May.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Blue
- Gray/Silver
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Leathery
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Fragrant
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Simple, alternate, ovate blue-green to silvery gray green, with smooth margins. The leaves can be used fresh or dried.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Dark Gray
- Light Gray
- Surface/Attachment:
- Fissured
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Houseplants
- Patio
- Small Space
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Edible Garden
- English Garden
- Garden for the Blind
- Design Feature:
- Hedge
- Screen/Privacy
- Specimen
- Attracts:
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Diseases
- Insect Pests
- Poor Soil
- Problems:
- Messy
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Dogs
- Problem for Horses
