Bay Ball

Laurus nobilis

• Position: full sun or partial shade
• Soil: fertile, moist but well-drained soil
• Rate of growth: slow-growing
• Flowering period: March to May
• Flower colour: clusters of greenish-yellow flowers
• Other features: black autumn berries on female plants; contact with the foliage may aggravate skin allergies; the mature leaves may be used fresh or dried in bouquet garni, for flavouring stocks and sauces
• Hardiness: frost hardy (needs winter protection)
  
  These evergreen bay laurel balls are great for flanking a set of steps, a doorway or path. Provide a sheltered, sunny or partially shady site and winter protection in cold areas since the lustrous, aromatic, dark green leaves, valuable for their culinary use, are susceptible to wind scorch.
  
  
• Garden care: Keep well-watered during the growing season and feed with a slow-release fertiliser such as Osmacote. Clip established plants lightly twice during the summer months to retain a balanced shape, using secateurs not shears.
  
  
• Goes well with: Taxus baccata, Ligustrum delavayanum 'Cone', Phlox divaricata 'White Perfume', Pulmonaria officinalis 'Sissinghurst White', Polemonium caeruleum 'Brise d Anjou', Astrantia major 'Alba'
  
  

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