Bay Tree

I used to have one here, growing in the ground. They are hardier grown in the ground and I will say, mine grew so vigorously and became so over-sized despite regular pruning that I ended up having to have it taken out.

The other problem was that it developed a serious, persistent infestation of scale insects - these were resistant to any spray available at that time (about 10 years ago) and anyway you don't want to be spraying leaves that you are planning to use in the kitchen! The scale insects are more likely to come if you keep the tree clipped into shape (mine was a tall cone) because there is less ventilation through the branches.

Bay trees trimmed into shape or grown as standards are indeed expensive. I would look out for a small, cheap, unshaped one, plant it in a decent-sized pot, and see how you get on. They grow quite fast and you will be able to nip off leaves to use. I have seen them in places like Lidl, but in the spring. You can get them off ebay etc too if you can't find a reasonably priced one locally.

Experiment too to see whether you actually like the taste of them fresh - they are actually one of the herbs I prefer dried. But ones dried at home certainly have a better flavour than shop-bought ones!

PS Yes they prefer a sunny location.

 

Hiya FC.
Bays are, first of all, survivors. They are hard to kill, easy to shape, suitable for pot culture or in the ground. Very hardy esp if the compost is well drained.
I planted one in a container for my nephew and did the following: used a john innes number 3 mixed with horticultural grit. Prob 15 to 20% grit. A heavy solid container to help with stability and weight...besides it looks better. In full sun from morning to early afternoon but here in my own garden in full sun from midday. it was also pruned back when planted to help its density....if you want it on a leg dont prune it at planting time
Watering? Well, my nephew often forgets to water but he does water it on a sort of regular basis. Over watering is prob worst enemy of bays. I give it a granular feed...fish, blood and bone...in spring and it is given a liquid feed now and then during the summer (according to when my nephew thinks about it!!!)
Where to buy? My own were cadged cuttings a few years ago but I would check online. I buy all sorts of perennials, shrubs etc online and rarely been disappointed. Like ClareG, I found ebay to be an excellent source.
Dont overpot.....as with most everything. Over potting produces poor slow growing plants. However, they will require potting on every 3 or 4 years according to how you judge their needs.

 

It's when they get 13+ feet high and they're rootbound in a half ex-whiskey barrel that the fun begins, but that'll be a long time off. Just make sure your tub is located on a sound insitu concrete bed, not open ground or loosely laid slabs or your'll never shift it come re-potting time.

 

Ha ha Scrungee, you are so right....they will grow huge. In a friend's garden down here they have made large trees. Esp down here where the growing season is a long one they grow very fast
Best if pruned or shaped annually

 

I bought a small one for a few pound. Within a couple of years its grown into a 3x3 bush. Healthy low maintenance.
If winters tough i bring it indoors. Leaves used for cooking.

 

My dear friend. If you care to pm me your address, I will gladly send you a bay sapling, about 2ft high ready for training. I'd be inclined to use a 5-6inch pot as starters. Post free.

 

Opposite my home is a small park/recreation ground. Queenscroft Park. Eltham. There is a large stand of Laurus nobilis close to the fence. They offer quite some protection from stiff Easterly winds. In the fruiting period, the wood pidgeons really attack them and for a couple of weeks the foliage becomes hidden by the masses of these greedy birds. Like the saying, what goes up must come down. So also, what goes in, must come out. So it's nothing strange to suddenly discover young bays growing in the garden.

 

Mine is happily growing outside and seeds prolifically. The seedlings usually get mowed but I could find some small ones to post to you. PM me if interested.

 

I bought one and had it for years and kept it in a big pot. When we had a really bad winter a few years ago it died I have often thought about buying another one but they can be expensive.