Description
Laurus nobilis ‘Baby Bay’ – Dwarf Bay Laurel Laurus nobilis ‘Baby Bay’ is a compact form of the traditional Bay Laurel, offering attractive evergreen foliage in a smaller, more manageable plant. With a mature size of approximately 1 metre high and 1.5 metres wide, ‘Baby Bay’ is an excellent choice for courtyards, patios, balconies, smaller gardens and container growing. Bay Laurel is well known for its glossy, dark green, aromatic leaves, which have been used in cooking for generations. The leaves can be used to add flavour to soups, stews, sauces, casseroles and other slow-cooked dishes. Having your own Bay Laurel plant means fresh leaves are always close at hand when preparing meals. The evergreen foliage provides year-round structure and colour, making ‘Baby Bay’ useful as both an edible plant and an ornamental feature. Its compact growth habit works particularly well in pots placed near a kitchen, outdoor entertaining area or entrance. It can also be planted directly into the garden where a small evergreen feature is required. For best growth, plant Laurus nobilis ‘Baby Bay’ in full sun to part shade with well-drained soil. Bay Laurel prefers good drainage and should not be left sitting in constantly wet soil. When planting in containers, choose a quality potting mix and make sure the container has adequate drainage holes. Water regularly while the plant is establishing. Once established, Bay Laurel is reasonably tolerant of dry conditions, although container-grown plants will generally need more frequent watering than plants growing in the ground. During hot weather, check potted plants regularly and water when the growing medium begins to dry. The compact size of ‘Baby Bay’ also makes it easy to maintain. Light pruning can be used to encourage a neat, bushy shape or to keep the plant within a preferred size. It can be shaped into a rounded feature plant or allowed to develop naturally. When harvesting, pick healthy mature leaves as required. Fresh leaves can be used immediately or dried for later use. The distinctive fragrance released when the leaves are crushed is one of the characteristics that makes Bay Laurel such a popular culinary plant. Feed during the active growing season with a suitable slow-release fertiliser. Container-grown plants may benefit from occasional feeding as nutrients are gradually depleted from the potting mix. With its compact dimensions, evergreen foliage and useful culinary leaves, Laurus nobilis ‘Baby Bay’ is a practical choice for gardeners who want to grow their own bay leaves without needing a large tree. It is equally at home in an edible garden, courtyard, patio or decorative container. Pot Size: 200mm Mature Height: Approx. 1m Mature Width: Approx. 1.5m Plant Type: Compact evergreen Bay Laurel Position: Full sun to part shade Soil: Well-drained soil Water: Moderate, particularly while establishing Best Uses: Herb gardens, pots, courtyards, patios and feature planting
