We recently lost our bay tree. It had been part of our garden for over 20 years and we had brought it from Maryland to North Carolina when we moved. We grew it in a large pot and hauled it indoors every winter because it was only hardy to zone 8. It did well all those years and then last spring did not come out of dormancy its same old self and died. Bay are difficult to propagate and are very slow growing so we had bought it as a small tree . Over the years we had trimmed it to look like a lollipop and it gave a European touch to our herb garden were we moved it each spring so I could easily pluck leaves for use in stew or soups. The tree was so pretty and the leaves looked so good in fresh or dried arrangements that it more than earned its keep. It was a great little tree.
Type: Woody perennial evergreen herb.
Bloom: Clusters of small yellow flowers produced in spring followed by shiny black or purple berries on female plants.
Foliage: Shiny, dark green, thick, leathery leaves with serrated wrinkled margin forming dense canopy.
Size: 5’ (in pot)-60’ H x3-10′ W.
Light: Sun to partial shade.
Soil: Moderately rich, well-drained; pH 6.2.
Hardiness: Zones 7-10.
Care: Do not overwater.
Pests and Diseases: Susceptible to scale, bay sucker (Trioza alacris), and mildew.
Propagation: Semi-hardwood cuttings from in fall; layering; seeds difficult to germinate.
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{ 4 comments }
I’m sorry to hear that you lost that tree. What does its latin name mean?
Jackie,
Laurus was the name the Romans gave to the tree that we know as sweet bay. It was sacred to Apollo, Daphne turned into a laural tree to escape Apollo, and the Greeks and Romans used the leaves to make victory wreaths. The species name, nobilis, means renowned and the tree became a sign o glory, honor and greatness. The Latin for the verb praise is laudo but i don’t know of any connection with the tree. Thanks for asking.
Karen
Interesting association: Laurel wreaths were also draped on those who succeeded in programmed study at the beginnings of secular universities in the late Medieval period. That tradition of hanging academics with laurel garlands is coopted from the ancient warriors, but this where the term “bacca- laureate” comes from.
lisa,
Thanks for your addition to the laurel wreath material. I love the historical background of plants and am especially interested in ancient through Renaissance culture.
Karen
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