Laurus nobilis 'Baby Bay' - Evergreen Trees Direct

Laurus nobilis 'Baby Bay'

$120.00

Tax included. Shipping calculated at checkout.

Size: 30cm/33cm

30cm/33cm 40cm/45L

Current Stock Height Guides

30cm/33cm: Enquire within for height guide information.
40cm/45L: 0.3m – 0.4m Approx.

Height guide disclaimer: Height ranges are approximate only. As living products, plant heights naturally vary between individual plants, batches, and seasons. No guarantee is given that supplied plants will fall within the stated range. If minimum heights are required, you mustconfirm current batch heights with Evergreen Trees Direct prior to purchase. Variation in height is normal and is not grounds for return, refund, replacement, or compensation.

Mature Height & Width

Mature Height: 2m to 4m (approx.) (often kept smaller by pruning)

Mature Width: 1m (approx.)

Laurus nobilis 'Baby Bay' is expected to grow 10cm to 20cm per year (approx.).

Root Ball Dimensions

Use this as a reference when digging your planting hole. We recommend digging at least 10% wider than the dimensions below to encourage strong root development.

30cm Pot: 33cm (W) × 30cm (D)
40cm/45L Pot: 44cm (W) × 41.5cm (D)
50cm Pot / 70L Pot: 55cm (W) × 41.8cm (D)
100L Bag: 50.6cm (W) × 52.8cm (D)
150L Bag: 66cm (W) × 55cm (D)
200L Bag: 71.5cm (W) × 60.5cm (D)
300L Bag: 88cm (W) × 63.8cm (D)
400L Bag: 99cm (W) × 66cm (D)
500L Bag: 122cm (W) × 66cm (D)
750L Bag: 134cm (W) × 69cm (D)
1000L Bag: 146.3cm (W) × 71.5cm (D)
2000L Bag: 176cm (W) × 82.5cm (D)

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Contact

Have a question or a list to send through to us?

Email: sales@evergreentrees.com.au

Phone: (03) 7042 3318

About Your New Laurus nobilis 'Baby Bay'

Laurus nobilis 'Baby Bay' is a dwarf form of the Mediterranean Bay Tree, an evergreen shrub with dense, glossy, aromatic leaves and a naturally compact habit. Small creamy yellow flowers appear in spring. The leaves are the same ones used in cooking, and can be picked fresh or dried as needed.

It grows slowly at 10 to 20 centimetres a year to 1 to 2 metres tall and about 1 metre wide. Full sun to part shade suits it, in soil that drains freely. Once established it handles coastal exposure, light frost and dry spells, and performs across temperate, Mediterranean and subtropical climates.

Use it as a low formal hedge at 80 centimetres apart, an informal screen at 1 to 1.5 metres, a clipped ball in a pot by the back door, or a border plant in a kitchen garden. Slow growth means the shape you clip in spring is still the shape months later.

Frequently Asked Questions

About Baby Bay Tree

What is Laurus nobilis 'Baby Bay'?

'Baby Bay' is a dwarf selection of the classic Bay Tree, the Mediterranean evergreen whose leaves flavour stocks and slow cooked dishes. It carries the same glossy aromatic foliage as the full sized species but stays small and dense, so it fits pots, low hedges and small gardens where a standard bay would be too large.

How big does Baby Bay grow?

It reaches 1 to 2 metres tall and around 1 metre wide, which is a fraction of the height a standard Bay Tree will eventually make. Clipping holds it lower again. The dense branching means it fills out to the ground rather than becoming leggy, so it works as a low hedge without staking or support.

How fast does it grow?

Growth is slow, roughly 10 to 20 centimetres a year, which is exactly why it is used for topiary and formal edging. A clipped shape holds its outline for months rather than weeks. The trade off is patience during establishment, so start with the largest plant your project allows if you need immediate presence.

Can I cook with the leaves?

Yes. The foliage is true bay laurel and can be picked fresh or dried for use in soups, casseroles, braises and marinades. Take leaves from the current season's growth for the strongest flavour. Whole leaves are removed before serving, as they stay tough and leathery no matter how long they are cooked.

How far apart should I plant it for a hedge?

For a tight formal hedge, plant at 80 centimetres apart. For a softer informal screen, 1 to 1.5 metres apart lets each plant show its natural shape while still knitting together. Given the slow growth rate, closer spacing is worth the extra plants if you want a finished looking hedge sooner.

Can it grow in pots?

It is well suited to containers, and pots are where most Baby Bay plants end up. Use a wide pot with quality potting mix and drainage holes that stay clear. Water when the top few centimetres dry out, feed in spring and autumn, and refresh or repot every two to three years to keep growth steady.

How do I care for Baby Bay?

Water regularly while young, then only through dry spells once established. Clip in spring and again in late summer to keep a dense outline, cutting individual shoots rather than shearing across the leaves. Feed in early spring, mulch the root zone and check occasionally for scale on shaded interior stems.

Enriched Planting Mix (AO Certified)

$21.95

Enriched Planting Mix is a certified organic blend of Pure Magic Compost, composted animal manure, gypsum, composted coarse bark and a wetting agent, bagged in 30L. It is built to be dug through existing garden soil at planting time rather than used on its own, and the gypsum is what sets it apart from a plain compost.

Gypsum helps break up heavy clay so water and roots can move through it, while the compost and manure return organic matter and nutrient to tired ground. The coarse bark holds structure and keeps air around the root zone, and the wetting agent keeps moisture in the soil longer after rain or watering.

Use it when planting trees, shrubs, roses, fruit trees and exotic garden plants, particularly into clay. Dig a hole twice the width of the pot and 7 centimetres deeper, then mix roughly one third planting mix through the excavated soil. Spread 7 centimetres of that improved soil in the base before setting the plant in.

Frequently Asked Questions

About Enriched Planting Mix

What is Enriched Planting Mix made from?

It is a blend of Pure Magic Compost, composted animal manure, gypsum, composted coarse bark and a wetting agent. Each part has a job. The compost and manure supply organic matter and nutrient, the gypsum works on clay structure, the bark keeps air around the roots and the wetting agent holds moisture in the soil.

What plants is it suitable for?

It suits exotic garden plants, including roses, ornamental and deciduous trees, fruit trees, shrubs and perennials, and it earns its keep most on heavy clay sites. It is a planting mix rather than a potting mix, so its job is improving soil at planting time. Phosphorus sensitive natives are the one clear exception.

Is it safe for natives?

No, not for the phosphorus sensitive ones. The composted animal manure in this blend lifts phosphorus well above what Proteaceae such as Banksia, Grevillea, Hakea and Protea will tolerate, and the result can be leaf burn, dieback and plant death. Use the Native Potting Mix for those species, or plant them into unimproved local soil.

Is it certified organic?

Yes. It is a certified organic product with no chemical additives, which is why the manure and compost in it are fully composted rather than raw. That makes it sound around fruit trees and vegetable beds, and it means you are adding genuine organic matter to your soil rather than a synthetic conditioner.

How much do I need?

Work on roughly one third planting mix to two thirds of the soil you dug out of the hole. For a shrub out of a 200 millimetre pot that is only a few litres. An advanced tree going into a large hole will take considerably more. Judge the quantity by the volume of the hole rather than the size of the plant.

Can I use it in pots?

It is not a potting mix and should not be used on its own in a container. The blend is designed to be diluted through garden soil, and used straight in a pot it holds too much water and settles badly. For containers, reach for a premium potting mix, or the native mix if you are potting natives.

Does it need to be watered in?

Yes. Water the plant well several hours before you plant it, then water thoroughly again once the hole is backfilled and the soil firmed down. That first deep watering settles the improved soil around the root ball and drives out air pockets. Keep the water up over the first few months while the roots establish.

View full details

Type: Garden Supplies

Enriched Planting Mix (AO Certified)

$21.95

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Uses in my Garden

Screening or Privacy
Feature Tree
Plant in Pots (or) Suitable for Pots
Edible Garden
Underplanting
Shrubs

Laurus nobilis 'Baby Bay' works in an:

Formal Garden – structured, symmetrical design with clipped shapes.
Mediterranean Style Garden – timeless courtyard look with stone, pots, and bold greenery.
Edible Garden – integrates fruit, herbs, and productive plants.
Low-maintenance Garden – resilient choices for easy care and year-round appeal.

Is Laurus nobilis 'Baby Bay' Evergreen or Deciduous?

Laurus nobilis 'Baby Bay' is an Evergreen (foliage year round) Tree

Mature Height & Width

Mature Height: 2m to 4m (approx.) (often kept smaller by pruning)

Mature Width: 1m (approx.)

Laurus nobilis 'Baby Bay' is expected to grow 10cm to 20cm per year (approx.).

Growth Rate of Laurus nobilis 'Baby Bay'

Laurus nobilis 'Baby Bay' is expected to grow 10cm to 20cm per year (approx.).

They are considered to have a:

Slow Growth Rate

Frost Tolerance & Ideal Climate to plant Laurus nobilis 'Baby Bay'

Is Laurus nobilis 'Baby Bay' frost tolerant?

Laurus nobilis 'Baby Bay' is Frost Tolerant – Can handle light to moderate frost once established.

Does Laurus nobilis 'Baby Bay' Flower?

Laurus nobilis ‘Baby Bay’ produces clusters of small, pale yellow flowers in spring. These discreet, star-like blooms sit among the glossy aromatic foliage and add gentle seasonal interest, with the tree’s primary appeal remaining its dense form and culinary-scented leaves.

Does Laurus nobilis 'Baby Bay' flower?

Yes - Flowers

Flowering Period:

Spring

Flower Type:

Umbel

Flower Colour:

Yellow

Is Laurus nobilis 'Baby Bay' an Australian Native Tree?

No

Laurus nobilis 'Baby Bay' is Native to Native to the Mediterranean region, where Laurus nobilis has been cultivated since ancient times. ‘Baby Bay’ is a compact selection bred for neat growth and ease of use in pots and small gardens.

What is the Wildlife Value of Laurus nobilis 'Baby Bay' ?

Its spring flowers attract bees, hoverflies and other small pollinators, while the dense evergreen canopy offers shelter for small birds and beneficial insects. The aromatic foliage also provides habitat for microfauna that contribute to a biodiverse Mediterranean-style garden ecosystem.

How much Sunlight does Laurus nobilis 'Baby Bay' need?

Laurus nobilis 'Baby Bay' will thrive best in:

Full Sun
Part Shade

Preferred Soil?

Laurus nobilis ‘Baby Bay’ performs best in well-drained loam or sandy loam soils and tolerates slightly acidic to slightly alkaline conditions. It may struggle in heavy clay or poorly drained areas unless improved with organic matter and coarse material to increase aeration and drainage. Keep soil evenly moist during establishment, then shift to deep, occasional watering as the plant matures to support strong drought performance, dense evergreen growth and long-term container or garden health.

Is Laurus nobilis 'Baby Bay' Drought Tolerant?

Is Laurus nobilis 'Baby Bay' Drought tolerant?

As a young plant it requires regular watering, but once established ‘Baby Bay’ develops good drought tolerance. It performs reliably in warm, dry and coastal conditions and maintains its compact form and healthy foliage with deep, occasional watering during extended dry periods.

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How To Plant Your Laurus nobilis 'Baby Bay'

Site: Choose a well-drained position in full sun to part shade with room for the canopy to develop.

Soil preparation: Enrich the planting area with quality compost and aged manure for a strong establishment phase.

Hole: Dig twice as wide as the root ball and the same depth.

Planting: Position level with the surrounding soil, backfill gently, firm in, then water deeply to settle the roots.

Recommended Planting Spacing For Your Laurus nobilis 'Baby Bay'

Hedging and screening: 1 to 1.5 metres apart for a dense informal screen, or 80 centimetres apart for a tighter formal hedge.

Avenue planting: 3 metres apart for a uniform soft-textured avenue.

Laurus nobilis 'Baby Bay' is expected to grow 10cm to 20cm per year (approx.).

Slow Growth Rate

Long Term Care For Your Laurus nobilis 'Baby Bay'

Watering: Water deeply twice weekly through the first 12 months. Once established, reduce to once weekly in dry periods. Mulch helps maintain consistent moisture.

Mulching: Apply a 5 to 7 centimetre layer of organic mulch over the root zone, keeping it 5 centimetres clear of the trunk.

Pruning: Tip prune in late winter and again in summer to build dense growth. For a formal hedge, light shaping two to three times a year keeps lines crisp.

Fertilising: Apply a slow-release general-purpose fertiliser in early spring and again in autumn for steady growth and consistent foliage colour.

Pest and disease: Hardy against most pests and diseases. Occasional inspection in warm humid conditions is all that's needed.

Planting Your Laurus nobilis 'Baby Bay' in Different Soil

Laurus nobilis performs best in well-drained loam or sandy loam with a slightly acidic to neutral pH. Adaptable to a wide range of soils when drainage is improved with organic matter.

Sandy soil: Free-draining and ideal. Mulch well to maintain consistent moisture.

Clay soil: Improve drainage with gypsum and organic compost before planting.

Loam: The preferred soil for steady root development and consistent growth.

pH: Slightly acidic to neutral preferred. Mulch with composted leaf litter to maintain levels naturally.

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions:

When is the best time to plant 'Baby Bay'?
Planting can be done at any time if it is kept in a container. If planting in the ground, early spring or fall is ideal.
How often should I water my 'Baby Bay' Tree?
Regular watering is necessary, especially in hot, dry weather. Ensure the potting soil is well-draining to prevent root rot.
Is 'Baby Bay' susceptible to any pests or diseases?
It may encounter the same pests and diseases as standard Bay Trees, such as bay sucker or scale insects, but is generally quite hardy.
Can 'Baby Bay' be grown indoors?
Yes, it can be grown indoors in a sunny spot, such as a south-facing window.
What are the culinary uses of 'Baby Bay' Leaves?
The leaves are used in a variety of dishes for their aromatic flavor, including soups, stews, sauces, and meat dishes.