The bay laurel is an evergreen, slow-growing, aromatic large shrub, also known as the Sweet Bay or Bay Tree (laurus nobilis). Bay trees thrive in fertile, moist and well-drained soil.

A bay standard is often used as a central feature in a formal garden. A pair of bay standards can often be seen in pots or planters framing an entrance or doorway and they can be easily pruned into a variety of shapes including pyramids and balls. Bay pyramids are perfect as accents in a formal garden. Bay balls look good when used to line a few steps, a path or doorway and plaited stems and corkscrew stems are popular shapes in which to train bay trees.

A bay laurel flowers for about three months from early March. The greenish-yellow flowers occur in clusters. Later in the year, black autumn berries dot the foliage of the female bay plants. Bay trees are frost hardy, but will need protection from wind scorch in colder areas during the winter.

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Bays retain their lustrous, leathery, dark green leaves all year round. Fresh bay tree leaves (as well as the dried leaves in a bouquet garni) serve as a natural flavouring herb in stews, meat dishes, stocks and sauces.

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To take good care of your bay laurel, keep the tree well-watered after applying a slow-release fertiliser to the surrounding soil. Prune your bay tree lightly a couple of times during the warmer months using only secateurs (not shears).