How to Grow and Use Bay

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Laurus nobilis is an evergreen shrub or small tree. Immature plants occasionally suffer frost damage, but older plants are fully hardy. It can grow to 50ft, but can easily be kept much smaller with regular pruning. Clusters of pale yellow flowers are produced in spring. These are followed by black berries on female plants. These sometimes produce seedlings. Bay grows best in fertile, well drained soil and prefers a sheltered sunny position. It grows well in a pot. Bay can be propagated from cuttings in summer. There is a golden leafed form, Laurus nobilis ‘Aurea’.

Bay is often formed into a standard. This is an easy, although slow, process. A single stemmed rooted cutting is needed. This should be staked to keep it straight and have the top pinched out when it reaches the required height. Side shoots should be removed from the stem, but single leaves coming from the main stem should remain in place until shed naturally. The top branches will form the head. These should regularly have their tips pinched out to form and then maintain the desired shape. Bay can also be clipped to form decorative shapes. Cones and balls are popular.

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Unusually, bay leaves are better flavoured when dried than fresh. The fresh leaves have a bitter flavour. Bay is an important ingredient of bread sauce, is included in bouquet garni and used in casseroles, soups and stews. It can also be included in rice pudding.

The attractive leaves retain their colour well and don’t wilt, so are a valuable addition to wreaths and other decorations.

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