Laurus nobilis Bay Tree - Topiary Forms

$330.00

Tax included. Shipping calculated at checkout.

Size: 40cm/45L - Ball Form

40cm/45L - Ball Form 50cm/75L - Ball Form 100L - Double Ball Form 100L - Triple Ball Form 110L - Ball Form

Current Stock Height Guides

40cm/45L - Ball Form: Enquire within for height guide information.
50cm/75L - Ball Form: Enquire within for height guide information.
100L - Double Ball Form: Enquire within for height guide information.
100L - Triple Ball Form: Enquire within for height guide information.
110L - Ball Form: 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: 4m to 8m (approx.)

Mature Width: 2m to 4m

Laurus nobilis Bay Tree - Topiary Forms is expected to grow 15cm to 30cm 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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About Your New Laurus nobilis Bay Tree - Topiary Forms

Laurus nobilis, the Bay Tree or Sweet Bay, is the classic plant for formal clipped topiary. Grown here as ready-shaped balls, double balls and triple balls, it carries dense glossy dark green aromatic foliage, and the leaves are the true culinary bay used in cooking.

Every plant on this page arrives already trained and clipped, so it delivers instant structure at an entrance, either side of a doorway, in a large pot on a terrace, or as a repeating rhythm through a formal garden bed. Bay Tree's slow, steady growth is exactly why it holds a shape so well, needing only two or three light clips a year to stay crisp.

Bay Tree thrives across most Australian climates in full sun to part shade, tolerating heat, light frost, and coastal exposure once established. It is low maintenance, long-lived, and reliably evergreen, holding its shape and fresh aromatic foliage year-round.

After a hedge instead? This listing is trained topiary. For natural bushy plants to clip into a hedge or screen, see Laurus nobilis Bay Tree - Hedging Form. For a tighter, denser hedge with less pruning, the improved cultivar Miles Choice is worth a look. All three share the same edible aromatic foliage.

Frequently Asked Questions

About Laurus nobilis Bay Tree Topiary

Do these arrive already clipped into shape?

Yes. Every plant on this page is trained and clipped at the nursery, so it delivers formal structure the day it is planted.

How often does Bay topiary need clipping?

Two to three light clips a year holds a crisp shape. Bay Tree is slow growing at 15-30cm per year, which is part of why it keeps its form so well.

Can Bay topiary grow in pots?

Yes. Clipped Bay is one of the most popular potted plants for courtyards, patios, balconies and entrances, and holds its shape well in a container.

Are Bay Tree leaves edible?

Yes. Laurus nobilis is the true culinary bay. The aromatic leaves are widely used fresh or dried in stocks, soups, slow-cooked dishes, and marinades.

What is the difference between a ball, double ball and triple ball?

A ball is a single clipped sphere on a short trunk. A double ball carries two spheres stacked on one stem, and a triple ball three, each giving progressively more height and formality.

Where does Bay Tree grow best in Australia?

Bay Tree thrives across most Australian climates in full sun to part shade, tolerating heat, light frost, coastal exposure, and a wide range of well-drained soils once established.

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 Bay Tree - Topiary Forms 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 Bay Tree - Topiary Forms Evergreen or Deciduous?

Laurus nobilis Bay Tree - Topiary Forms is an Evergreen (foliage year round) Tree

Mature Height & Width

Mature Height: 4m to 8m (approx.)

Mature Width: 2m to 4m

Laurus nobilis Bay Tree - Topiary Forms is expected to grow 15cm to 30cm per year (approx.).

Growth Rate of Laurus nobilis Bay Tree - Topiary Forms

Laurus nobilis Bay Tree - Topiary Forms is expected to grow 15cm to 30cm per year (approx.).

They are considered to have a:

Slow Growth Rate

Frost Tolerance & Ideal Climate to plant Laurus nobilis Bay Tree - Topiary Forms

Is Laurus nobilis Bay Tree - Topiary Forms frost tolerant?

Laurus nobilis Bay Tree - Topiary Forms is Frost Tolerant – Can handle light to moderate frost once established.

Does Laurus nobilis Bay Tree - Topiary Forms Flower?

Laurus nobilis produces clusters of small, pale yellow star-like flowers in spring. These modest blooms nestle among the glossy, aromatic foliage and offer gentle seasonal interest, while the tree’s primary appeal remains its dense structure and richly scented culinary leaves.

Does Laurus nobilis Bay Tree - Topiary Forms flower?

Yes - Flowers

Flowering Period:

Spring

Flower Type:

Clustered
Fragrant
Pollinator-attracting

Flower Colour:

Yellow

Is Laurus nobilis Bay Tree - Topiary Forms an Australian Native Tree?

No

Laurus nobilis Bay Tree - Topiary Forms is Native to The Mediterranean region, particularly southern Europe and Turkey, where it grows naturally in coastal woodlands and rocky hillsides.

What is the Wildlife Value of Laurus nobilis Bay Tree - Topiary Forms ?

Its spring flowers attract bees, hoverflies and other small pollinators, while the compact evergreen canopy provides shelter and nesting spots for small birds. The aromatic foliage also supports microfauna and beneficial insects, adding subtle biodiversity value to Mediterranean-style and formal gardens.

How much Sunlight does Laurus nobilis Bay Tree - Topiary Forms need?

Laurus nobilis Bay Tree - Topiary Forms will thrive best in:

Full Sun
Part Shade

Preferred Soil?

Laurus nobilis 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 waterlogged areas unless improved with organic matter and coarse material to enhance drainage. Keep soil evenly moist during establishment, then transition to deep, occasional watering as the tree matures to support dense evergreen growth, strong root health and reliable drought resilience.

Is Laurus nobilis Bay Tree - Topiary Forms Drought Tolerant?

Is Laurus nobilis Bay Tree - Topiary Forms Drought tolerant?

As a young plant it requires regular watering, but once established Bay Tree develops good drought tolerance. It performs reliably in warm, dry and coastal environments and maintains its dense evergreen canopy with only occasional deep watering during extended dry spells.

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How To Plant Your Laurus nobilis Bay Tree - Topiary Forms

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 Tree - Topiary Forms

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

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

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

Laurus nobilis Bay Tree - Topiary Forms is expected to grow 15cm to 30cm per year (approx.).

Slow Growth Rate

Long Term Care For Your Laurus nobilis Bay Tree - Topiary Forms

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 Bay Tree - Topiary Forms 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 a Bay Tree?
Planting in early spring or fall is ideal, allowing the tree to establish its roots in moderate temperatures.
How often should I water my Bay Tree?
Regular watering is important, especially during the establishment phase and in periods of extended dry weather.
Is Laurus nobilis susceptible to any pests or diseases?
Bay Trees are generally robust but can occasionally suffer from bay sucker, scale insects, and fungal diseases.
Can Bay Trees be grown indoors?
Yes, they can be grown in containers indoors, provided they receive enough sunlight and are cared for properly.
What are the culinary uses of Bay Leaves?
Bay leaves are a common flavoring in soups, stews, sauces, and a variety of meat, fish, and vegetable dishes.