Laurus nobilis

Description and General Information

• Botanical Name: Laurus nobilis

• Common Name: Bay Laurel, Sweet Bay

• Plant Type: Evergreen shrub or small tree

• Growth Habit: Dense, bushy foliage with aromatic leaves; naturally grows as a multi-stemmed shrub but can be trained into standards, cones, or topiary shapes. Mature height can reach 6–10 m if left unpruned, though it is easily kept smaller.

• Foliage: Glossy, dark green, leathery leaves with a strong aromatic scent used in cooking.

• Flowers: Small, pale yellow blooms in spring; followed by small black berries on female plants (if pollinated).

• Seasonal Interest: Evergreen year-round, providing structure and colour in winter as well as culinary use.

• Garden Uses: Ideal for containers, herb gardens, kitchen gardens, patio displays, and formal borders. Frequently shaped into decorative standards or hedging.

• Culinary Benefits: Leaves can be used fresh or dried in soups, stews, and sauces.

• Wildlife Benefits: Flowers attract pollinators such as bees; berries provide food for birds.

• Hardiness: Hardy in mild climates; may need winter protection in colder areas.

Planting Conditions and Ideal Location

• Light Requirements: Thrives in full sun but will tolerate partial shade; sunnier positions enhance leaf aroma and density.

• Soil Preferences: Well-drained, fertile soil is essential; loam or sandy soils enriched with organic matter work best.

• pH Range: Neutral to slightly alkaline (pH 6.5–8.0).

• Moisture Needs: Prefers evenly moist soil but will tolerate short dry spells once established; avoid waterlogging.

• Planting Time: Best planted in spring or early autumn to establish before extreme temperatures.

• Spacing: For hedging, plant 45–60 cm apart; for specimen plants, allow at least 1 m of space.

• Shelter Needs: In colder regions, position in a sheltered spot, ideally near a south- or west-facing wall to protect from frost and wind.

• Companion Planting: Complements rosemary, lavender, and other Mediterranean herbs.

• Container Growing: Performs excellently in pots; use a loam-based compost such as John Innes No. 2 with added grit for drainage.

Routine Care, Feeding, and Seasonal Maintenance

• Watering:

  • Keep well-watered during dry spells, especially in containers.

  • Reduce watering in winter when growth slows, but do not allow the root ball to dry out completely.

• Feeding:

  • Feed in spring with a balanced slow-release fertiliser to encourage healthy foliage.

  • For container plants, feed every 4–6 weeks during the growing season with a liquid fertiliser.

• Pruning:

  • Lightly trim in summer to maintain shape; bay responds well to topiary training.

  • Remove any dead or damaged branches in spring.

• Harvesting Leaves:

  • Pick mature leaves as needed for cooking; drying enhances flavour.

  • Avoid stripping too many leaves from one stem to maintain plant health.

• Mulching:

  • Apply a 5 cm mulch layer in spring to retain moisture and suppress weeds.

• Pest and Disease Resistance:

  • Generally robust, though scale insects and bay sucker can sometimes be a problem; treat early if spotted.

• Winter Care:

  • In colder regions, wrap plants in fleece during severe frost or move potted specimens to a sheltered spot.

• Weed Control: Keep the base free of weeds to reduce competition for nutrients.

• Longevity: Long-lived with minimal care; some specimens can live for decades.

• Size
  P20/90 total/25 head

We currently only deliver within the island of Ireland, other countries can be quoted for by contacting [email protected] or via telephone on 06964084
 

Standard Delivery is FREE on orders over €250*

All standard deliveries will be completed within 5-7 working days via Fastway Couriers, any delay to this delivery time, the customer will be notified by One of our staff.

The in-Store delivery charge will vary compared with online, in-store delivery charge is done on a case by case basis. 

* Only mainland Ireland addresses qualify for free delivery.
 

Live Plants Delivery

Our live plants are packed with care and diligence by our staff, our horticulturists review each plant before despatch to ensure quality is maintained.
Live Plant delivery charges are not calculated on weight but on the space required per package to ensure safe delivery, so delivery charges may vary as some plants require more space than others when packed.
All live plants are despatched within 3-5 working days where possible, our couriers aim to deliver within 48 hours of despatch from our Garden Centre to allow the plant to arrive in healthy condition.
 

Click & Collect

Can’t wait for delivery? Why not try our FREE Click & Collect service? Simply make your purchase online and collect it from our store located in Croagh Co. Limerick. Our staff will contact you by phone when your order is ready for collection (Please allow 24 hours minimum). When collecting your item, call the store on 069-64084. We will then load into your car as required. This service is available in-store 9am – 6pm Monday – Saturday (No collections on Sundays)

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If you have any further questions about the online order payment please contact us via ­069 640 84 or mail.