Xela's Garden

Herb - Bay tree [V]

Genus: Laurus.

Species: Laurus nobilis.

Planted 05.12 in ceramic pot in Vistabile Herb plot
Bought 05.12 as standard tree at The Garden Centre[formerly Wyvale], Reading for

Beautifully clipped lollipop shaped bay tree. Lovely evergreen and aromatic leathery leaves that can be used fresh or dried in savoury dishes.
Also called: Bay laurel, Laurel tree, Sweet bay, Grecian laurel, Roman laurel, Poet's laurel, Royal bay, True laurel, Victor's laurel
Position: Full sun or partial shade.
Watering: Water regularly but sparingly during growing season. Do not overwater. Water less during winter, only make sure the root ball does not dry out.
Hardiness: Fully hardy but protect from cold drying winds and hard frost (below -5°C). Mature Bay trees can withstand lower temperatures but frost damage may occur. Remove brown and withered leaves from frost damaged trees in spring and they normally recover quickly with new growth.
Pruning: Prune into shape in spring/summer. Any necessary hard pruning in spring and only light pruning in summer. Well suited to be clipped into topiary shapes such as Bay standards or Bay cones.
Soil: Well-drained. Fertile. Repot every two to three years. Bay trees have a shallow root system and need protection from frost and heat by adding mulch.
Fertilisers: Feed regularly during growing season with fertiliser. There is no need for fertiliser during the winter period.
Foliage: Evergreen. Aromatic leathery leaves. Used fresh or dried in savoury dishes.
Flowers: Yellow-green flowers from March-May
Fruit: Black/purple laurel berries on female plants. Contain essential oils.
Award of Garden Merit (AGM): This award indicates that the plant is recommended by The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS).
Symbolism: The Bay tree is a symbol of victory and merit. The ancient Greeks awarded wreaths of bay laurel to victors at the Pythian Games. The Pythian Games were held in honour of Apollo who wore a wreath of bay leaves from the bay tree which his beloved Daphne had been turned into. The Romans thought that Bay leaves gave protection from lightning and decease. The Emperor Tiberius was said to be very scared of thunderstorms and hence always wore a laurel wreath. During the Middle Ages Bay trees were thought to protect from evil and witch craft.
[Source: http://www.terracegardener.co.uk/about_plants/about_bay.php ]

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