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![Royal Horticultural Society 'Award of Garden Merit' (AGM) AWARD](https://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/img/artwork/badges/award.64.png)
LAURUS nobilis
Commonly known as Poet's laurel, Sweet bay, True laurel
Culinary bayleaf
Further Reading....
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EvergreenNarrowly ovate, glossy, dark-green leaves to 10cm (4in) long
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YellowGreenish-yellow
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Height12m (39ft)
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Spread10m (33ft)
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TreeOr large shrub. Produces flowers 5mm (¼in) across followed by black berries.
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Half hardy - unheated greenhouse / mild winterHardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK except in severe winters and a risk from sudden (early) frosts. May be hardy elsewhere with wall shelter or good micro-climate. Likely to be damaged or killed in cold winters. Plant can withstand temperatures down to -5°C (23°F)
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Full sun
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Partial shade
LAURUS nobilis
- Details
- Description
- Mature Size
- Tips and Advice
- Goes Well With
- Planting Combinations
- Other Suggestions
- See Also...
Densely branched conical tree or large shrub native to the Mediteranean region growing in moist rocky areas. Its aromatic leaves are used as a culinary herb.
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Additional FeaturesGood to knowThe laurel wreath of ancient Greece. Wildlife plant - nectar and pollen for insects.Medicinal propertiesMany medicinal uses including as a digestive aid, for reducing flatulence and the berries have even been used to(supposedly) cure baldnessPests & DiseasesScale insects, tortrix moth caterpillars, powdery mildew, leaf spot.Place of originMediterranean.
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Garden Location/ConditionsCoastal / windsweptSlightly back from the sea with more shelterCottage gardenPatio / pot plantsTown garden
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HardinessFrost hardy (down to -5)
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Leaf marginEntire
(see photos above) -
Leaf shapeOvate
(see photos above) -
Pruning groupPruning group 1Suitable for: Deciduous and evergreen trees, and some deciduous shrubs.
Pruning: Minimal pruning required. Prune wayward or crossing branches to maintain a healthy framework.
When: When dormant in the late winter/early spring. Some in the summer/autumn to prevent bleeding of sap.
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Scented PlantsScented foliageAromatic foliage.
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Soil ConditionsFertile moist well-drained soilShelter from cold winds
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Tree ShapeBroadly conical
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WildlifeBee friendlyRabbit Resistant
Jan
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Laurus - Growing Guide
Trees - Care Guide
- How to plant a tree - Video Tip ondemand_video
- How to plant a tree
- Ties - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Restaking fallen young trees - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Fallen old tree - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Clearing up fallen beech tree - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Spring pruning - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Removing side shoots - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Pruning and Shaping Magnolia - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Deer protection - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Weed Spraying - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Removing Ivy - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Removing wire protection - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Tree Survey - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Crown uplift - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Removing shoots below graft - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Removing peeling bark - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Maintaining variegation - Video Tip ondemand_video
12m (39ft)
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10m (33ft) |
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![](
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![AGAPANTHUS umbellatus AGAPANTHUS umbellatus](https://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/img/products/square/agapanthus_umbellatus_196.jpg)
AGAPANTHUS umbellatus
African blue lily, Lily-of-the-Nile, Love flower
![AZALEA - EVERGREEN 'Azuma-kagami' AZALEA - EVERGREEN 'Azuma-kagami'](https://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/img/products/square/azalea_azuma_kagami_7161.jpg)
AZALEA - EVERGREEN 'Azuma-kagami'
![AZALEA - EVERGREEN 'Kirin' AZALEA - EVERGREEN 'Kirin'](https://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/img/products/square/azalea_evergreen_kirin_455.jpg)
AZALEA - EVERGREEN 'Kirin'
Available from £15.50
![CAMELLIA 'Donation' CAMELLIA 'Donation'](https://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/img/products/square/camellia_donation_725x.jpg)
CAMELLIA 'Donation'
Available from £10.50
![CORNUS alba 'Sibirica Variegata' CORNUS alba 'Sibirica Variegata'](https://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/img/products/square/cornus_alba_variegata_1266.jpg)
CORNUS alba 'Sibirica Variegata'
Dogwood
Available from £14.50
![HEBE 'Blue Gem' HEBE 'Blue Gem'](https://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/img/products/square/hebe_blue_gem_6969.jpg)
HEBE 'Blue Gem'
Available from £14.50
![LAURUS nobilis 'Aurea' LAURUS nobilis 'Aurea'](https://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/img/products/square/laurus_noblis_aurea_2474s.jpg)
LAURUS nobilis 'Aurea'
Golden bay
Available from £14.00
![MAGNOLIA campbellii subsp. mollicomata 'Lanarth' MAGNOLIA campbellii subsp. mollicomata 'Lanarth'](https://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/img/products/square/magnolia_campbellii_lanarth_2701.jpg)
MAGNOLIA campbellii subsp. mollicomata 'Lanarth'
Available from £70.00
![MAHONIA x media 'Charity' MAHONIA x media 'Charity'](https://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/img/products/square/Mahonia_x_media_Charity.jpg)
MAHONIA x media 'Charity'
Available from £18.50
PINUS insignis
![STEWARTIA pseudocamellia STEWARTIA pseudocamellia](https://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/img/products/square/Stewartia_pseudocamellia.jpg)
STEWARTIA pseudocamellia
Japanese stewartia
Available from £27.50
![TAXUS baccata TAXUS baccata](https://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/img/products/square/taxus_baccata.jpg)
TAXUS baccata
English yew, Common yew
Available from £14.00
![VINCA major VINCA major](https://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/img/products/square/vinca_major_4279a.jpg)
VINCA major
Greater periwinkle
Available from £12.00
![YUCCA gloriosa YUCCA gloriosa](https://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/img/products/square/Yucca_gloriosa.jpg)
YUCCA gloriosa
Candle yucca,Palm lily, Adam's needle
Available from £17.50
Useful extras...
![](https://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/img/products/squaremedium/Vitax_Q4_6202.jpg)
Fertilisers & Feeds - Vitax
Q4 Pelleted Fertiliser
A useful fertiliser suitable for use on a wide variety of plants. Q4 provides all the nutrients and trace elements essential for vigorous growth, abundant flowering and ripening of fruit.
3 options from £6.00
![](https://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/img/products/squaremedium/grow_your_own_front_22.jpg)
Fertilisers & Feeds - Empathy
Afterplant - Grow Your Own
AFTER PLANT GROW YOUR OWN seaweed is ready to use liquid concentrate that was specially formulated be used on all edible plants.
Only £8.00
![](https://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/img/products/squaremedium/tomatoe_front.jpg)
Fertilisers & Feeds - Empathy
Afterplant - Tomatoes
AFTER PLANT TOMATO FEED Liquid Concentrate with Bio stimulant is a high potash liquid concentrate containing seaweed extract, plant derived amino acids and other nutrients specifically formulated to benefit tomatoes and greenhouse plants.
Only £8.00
![](https://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/img/products/squaremedium/rootgrow_6203.jpg)
Fertilisers & Feeds - Empathy
Rootgrow mycorrhizal fungi
Recommended by the RHS. Contains Rootgrow™ mycorrhizal fungi. Suitable for all trees and shrubs (except rhododendrons, azaleas, heathers, cranberries and blueberries)
3 options from £3.00
![](https://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/img/products/squaremedium/RootgrowEricoid_6204.jpg)
Fertilisers & Feeds - Empathy
Rootgrow Ericoid mycorrhizal fungi
This specially adapted Rootgrow™ mycorrhizal fungi will boost the growth of acid-loving plants like rhododendrons, azaleas, heathers and blueberries.
It contains ericoid and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, which are found in poor acidic soils where ericaceous plants naturally grow.
Only £7.50
![](https://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/img/products/squaremedium/empathy-allpurpose_6208.jpg)
Fertilisers & Feeds - Empathy
All-purpose Seaweed Stimulant
All-purpose organic concentrated seaweed feed that is a ready to use, derived from sustainable harvested kelp, that can be used on all outdoor and indoor plants, except acid loving plants.
Perfect used in conjunction with Rootgrow™.
Only £7.50