Laurus nobilis Bay Leaf Double Balls

$2,400.00

Tax included. Shipping calculated at checkout.

Title: 110L

110L

Current Stock Height Guides

110L: Enquire within for height guide information.

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: Naturally grows 4m to 8m (approx.) (topiary height is maintained by pruning)

Mature Width: 1m to 1.5m

Laurus nobilis Bay Leaf Double Balls 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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Phone: (03) 7042 3318

About Your New Laurus nobilis Bay Leaf Double Balls

Laurus nobilis trained as a double ball is a Bay Tree clipped into two evergreen spheres on a single clear stem. The leaves are dark, glossy and aromatic, and small creamy yellow flowers show in spring. These are grown on specimens, so the topiary form is already built rather than something to train yourself.

Held at 2 to 3 metres tall and 1 to 1.5 metres wide with clipping, it puts on 10 to 20 centimetres a year. Give it full sun to part shade and soil or potting mix that never stays wet. Once established it takes light frost, coastal wind and dry weeks without complaint.

A pair either side of a doorway or gate is the usual placement, and they also hold a line down a formal path or in a row of large planters. Two clips a year keeps both balls tight. Allow a 40 to 50 centimetre wide pot for a single specimen in a courtyard.

Frequently Asked Questions

About Bay Tree Double Ball Topiary

What is a bay double ball topiary?

It is a Laurus nobilis Bay Tree trained over several years into two clipped spheres stacked on one clear trunk. The lower ball sits at roughly waist to chest height and the upper ball above it. The result is a formal, architectural evergreen with aromatic foliage that can still be picked for the kitchen.

How big does it get?

Maintained with regular clipping it stands 2 to 3 metres tall and 1 to 1.5 metres wide, which includes the width of the balls. Slow growth of 10 to 20 centimetres a year means the proportions stay stable for a long time. Left unclipped the plant would revert to a bushy upright tree.

Does it need sun or shade?

Full sun to part shade both work. Full sun gives the densest, tightest foliage and the strongest leaf aroma, while part shade produces slightly softer growth that still clips well. Deep shade should be avoided, as the balls open up and thin. Morning sun with afternoon shade suits hot inland positions.

Can it grow in a pot?

Yes, and containers are the most common use. A pot 40 to 50 centimetres wide suits a single specimen for a courtyard, entry or balcony. Use free draining potting mix, water consistently through summer, and feed in spring and autumn. Turn the pot occasionally so both balls grow evenly on all sides.

Is it suitable for coastal gardens?

Bay laurel handles coastal conditions well and tolerates salt laden wind once established, which is why it appears so often in Mediterranean and seaside plantings. Give it drainage and shelter from constant strong onshore wind in the first season. Established plants in exposed positions may need slightly more frequent clipping to stay tidy.

Can I use the leaves in cooking?

Yes. These are true bay leaves, the same ones sold dried for cooking. Pick from the current season's growth when you clip, and either use them fresh or dry them flat in a warm airy spot. Harvesting a few leaves at a time has no effect on the shape or health of the topiary.

How do I care for a bay double ball?

Clip twice a year, in late spring and again in late summer, cutting back to just inside the desired outline so the shape stays crisp. Water regularly in the first season and through hot weather, especially in pots. Feed in early spring, keep the trunk clear of shoots and check for scale insects.

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.

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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 Bay Leaf Double Balls works in an:

Formal Garden – structured, symmetrical design with clipped shapes.
Mediterranean Style Garden – timeless courtyard look with stone, pots, and bold greenery.
Modern Garden – sleek, minimal, and design-led planting.
Low-maintenance Garden – resilient choices for easy care and year-round appeal.

Is Laurus nobilis Bay Leaf Double Balls Evergreen or Deciduous?

Laurus nobilis Bay Leaf Double Balls is an Evergreen (foliage year round) Tree

Mature Height & Width

Mature Height: Naturally grows 4m to 8m (approx.) (topiary height is maintained by pruning)

Mature Width: 1m to 1.5m

Laurus nobilis Bay Leaf Double Balls is expected to grow 10cm to 20cm per year (approx.).

Growth Rate of Laurus nobilis Bay Leaf Double Balls

Laurus nobilis Bay Leaf Double Balls 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 Bay Leaf Double Balls

Is Laurus nobilis Bay Leaf Double Balls frost tolerant?

Laurus nobilis Bay Leaf Double Balls is Frost Tolerant – Can handle light to moderate frost once established.

Does Laurus nobilis Bay Leaf Double Balls Flower?

Laurus nobilis Double Ball produces clusters of small, pale yellow star-like flowers in spring. These subtle blooms appear among the glossy, aromatic foliage and add light seasonal interest, though the topiary’s main appeal lies in its sculpted double-ball form and dense evergreen leaves.

Does Laurus nobilis Bay Leaf Double Balls flower?

Yes - Flowers

Flowering Period:

Spring

Flower Type:

Clustered
Fragrant
Pollinator-attracting

Flower Colour:

Yellow

Is Laurus nobilis Bay Leaf Double Balls an Australian Native Tree?

No

Laurus nobilis Bay Leaf Double Balls is Native to The Mediterranean region, particularly southern Europe and Turkey, where Laurus nobilis grows naturally on rocky hillsides and coastal forests.

What is the Wildlife Value of Laurus nobilis Bay Leaf Double Balls ?

Its spring flowers attract bees, hoverflies and beneficial pollinators, while the dense evergreen structure provides excellent shelter and roosting sites for small birds. The aromatic foliage also supports microfauna, contributing to subtle but meaningful biodiversity in formal and Mediterranean-style gardens.

How much Sunlight does Laurus nobilis Bay Leaf Double Balls need?

Laurus nobilis Bay Leaf Double Balls will thrive best in:

Full Sun
Part Shade

Preferred Soil?

Laurus nobilis Double Ball 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 ground unless improved with organic matter and coarse material for better aeration. Keep soil evenly moist during establishment, then shift to deep, occasional watering as the plant matures to support its drought resilience, healthy root system and long-term topiary structure.

Is Laurus nobilis Bay Leaf Double Balls Drought Tolerant?

Is Laurus nobilis Bay Leaf Double Balls Drought tolerant?

As a young plant it requires regular watering, but once established the Bay Tree Double Ball develops good drought tolerance. It performs reliably in warm, dry and coastal environments and maintains its clipped, architectural shape with only occasional deep watering during extended dry periods.

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How To Plant Your Laurus nobilis Bay Leaf Double Balls

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 Bay Leaf Double Balls

Feature tree: 3 to 4 metres apart to allow the full canopy and form to develop.

Pot or container: A 40 to 50 centimetre wide pot suits a single specimen for courtyards, entries and balconies.

Laurus nobilis Bay Leaf Double Balls is expected to grow 10cm to 20cm per year (approx.).

Slow Growth Rate

Long Term Care For Your Laurus nobilis Bay Leaf Double Balls

Watering: Water deeply twice weekly through the first 12 months. Once established, this is drought tolerant and only needs a deep soak during extended dry periods.

Mulching: Apply a 3 to 5 centimetre layer of organic mulch over the root zone in the garden, or a thin layer of decorative pebbles in pots, keeping it clear of the trunk.

Pruning: Minimal pruning required. Light tip prune in late winter to maintain shape, and remove lower branches as the tree grows to develop a clean feature trunk.

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 Bay Leaf Double Balls in Different Soil

Laurus nobilis performs best in free-draining loam or sandy loam with a neutral to slightly alkaline pH. Adaptable to a wide range of soils when drainage is sharp.

Sandy soil: Free-draining and ideal. Mulch lightly to moderate surface temperature.

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

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

pH: Neutral to slightly alkaline preferred. Avoid waterlogging at all times.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Laurus nobilis Double Balls be grown in pots?
Yes, it thrives in large containers and is a popular choice for patios, entrances, and courtyards.

How often does it need pruning?
Light pruning every 2–3 months helps maintain its sculpted shape.

Is it frost-hardy?
It tolerates mild frost but may need protection in extreme cold.

Does it need frequent watering?
No, once established, occasional deep watering is sufficient.

Are the berries edible?
No, the berries are toxic to humans and should not be consumed.