The Bay Tree is one of the oldest cultivated trees in the world. Mediterranean origin, glossy aromatic leaves used in cooking, and a calm classical shape that suits formal hedges, courtyards and feature planting. A bay does multiple jobs for the gardener who only wants one tree to do everything.
This is an in-depth guide to Laurus nobilis for Australian gardens, covering features, why a Bay Tree might suit, planting, care and design uses.
Key features
Glossy dark green leathery leaves with a distinctive aromatic scent. Upright dense form that responds beautifully to pruning. Tolerant of frost, coastal conditions and drought once established. Slow to moderate growth that means it stays the size you plant it for longer than fast hedges.
Expect 3 to 8m tall and 2 to 3m wide depending on cultivar and trimming.
Why a Bay Tree
Bay is one of the few plants that genuinely does three jobs. It can be clipped as a formal hedge. It can be grown as a feature tree or topiary. And the leaves are used in cooking. For a kitchen garden or a Mediterranean style courtyard, bay is the obvious choice.
The newer Miles Choice cultivar is denser by nature and easier to keep as a formal hedge than the standard species form.
Where Bay Trees grow well
Cool temperate to warm temperate Mediterranean climates. Bay performs in Victoria, ACT, South Australia, NSW outside the humid coast and the cooler parts of WA. It will grow in Sydney with some humidity tolerance. Brisbane and tropical northern climates are not ideal.
Bay is happy in part shade and even full shade under established trees. The myth that bay needs full sun for a hedge is incorrect.
Planting
Full sun to part shade. Well-drained soil. Avoid waterlogged positions. Plant one per linear metre for an instant hedge, or wider spacing for a feature row.
Water deeply through the first two summers. Stake young trees in windy positions. Mulch heavily, keeping mulch off the trunk.
Care
Bay responds beautifully to pruning. Trim once or twice a year for a formal finish. Use sharp shears to avoid bruising the leaves. Feed in spring with a balanced fertiliser. Mulch annually.
It is not a fast grower. Patience pays off, expect four to five years for a starter plant to thicken into a dense hedge. Once established, water needs drop and the plant essentially looks after itself.
Design uses
Formal hedges. Topiary spheres, lollipops and pyramids. Feature standards either side of a doorway. Kitchen garden borders. Pleached forms are not recommended, the irregular trunk shape does not suit pleaching.
Bay also takes well to pot culture, making it useful for entrance compositions either side of a front door.
Frequently asked questions
How fast does a Bay Tree grow?
Slow to moderate. Expect 20 to 40cm per year once established.
Can I cook with the leaves from any Laurus nobilis?
Yes. The species and named cultivars all produce culinary leaves. Pick fresh and dry briefly before use.
Does Bay need full sun?
No. Bay performs in full sun, part shade and even full shade under established trees.
Will Bay grow in Brisbane?
It will only tolerate Sydney humidity. Brisbane is not recommended.
How far apart should I plant a Bay hedge?
One per linear metre for instant effect, or 0.8 to 1m for a tight hedge.
Final thoughts
Bay is the slow burn classic. The investment in patience pays back in decades. Choose Miles Choice for an easier formal hedge, the standard species for traditional planting, or Baby Bay for a courtyard. Plant well, water deeply through the first two summers, and let the tree settle into a Mediterranean rhythm.
GIMMME INFOO ABOUT THIS PLANT LIKE ITS ADAPTATIONS AAAARRRRRGGGHHHH
GIMMME INFOO ABOUT THIS PLANT LIKE ITS ADAPTATIONS AAAARRRRRGGGHHHH