Bay Trees

[grandfatherd]

I am thinking buying a couple of twisted trunk bay trees for a present.
As I have no knowledgs of these I would be greatfull for any advice
on the care ect.
thanks in advance
Danny,





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[murraymints]

http://www.gardenfocused.co.uk/herbs/bay-tree.php


look here

[Buenchico]

From the Royal Horticultural Society's website:
https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?pid=251

[retrocop]

Mrs retro and I are no Percy Throwers. My late mum bought us a small potted Bay Bush in a pot when we moved to this house in 1980. I put in the garden and was not selective with regard to shade ,drainage etc. I really haven't a clue.
The Squires Garden Centre from whence it came has long since gone but my Mum's gift is still alive and flourishing. Looking at it through the window now. About 20ft high and 8-10 foot circumference. We do nothing to it since the day it was planted. They look after themselves in my opinion. Our clay soil is nothing to write home about either. London clay.
As an aside. Does any one find Bay leaves enhance the flavour of their cooking. I do loads of cooking and always put two or three in the pot when the recipe dictates.I don't think I would notice any different if I hadn't of done it. Anyone differ ?

[ethandron]

I agree, I don't even think they smell of much either.

[EcclesCake]

One of the herb growers who supplies Waitrose replant his woody herbs after about three or four years because they lose their pungency. If he is changing his root stock that frequently then I can only imagine that a 35 yr old shrub would be a shadow of its former self taste wise.

[ethandron]

I've just been reading about bay leaves, and apparently if you put one or two in boiling water for a few minutes you'll be able to smell a kind of menthol aroma, which changes to a tea type smell if you leave it longer.
Interesting.

[jourdain2]

I find a bay leaf helps with casseroles and stews. I bought a cheapie when we got here and potted it up, now I could do with advice on how to make it look decent.

I potted it up because I inherited a bay tree in France and after a few years it was taller than the barn it stood by (be warned!).

Advice is not to let it dry up if it is in a pot, they take a surprising amount of water. Otherwise (in the ground) they grew successfully in both North- and South-facing positions. Once they get going they are very vigorous and the stems will send out shoots which need to be removed. :)

[ladybirder]

They look after themselves grandfather - the ideal plant for a lazy gardener like me. What a lovely present to give somebody, I'm sure they'll appreciate it.

I find if I nick the skin of a chicken and push a few bayleaves in here and there before I pop it in the oven it gives the meat a nice delicate flavour.

[retrocop]

EcclesCake
Thanks for your thoughts. You are probably correct in what you suggest.
I always believed many a sweet tune came from an old fiddle. Not in the case of the Laurel though it would seem :-)

[Chipchopper]

Nice gift idea grandfatherd,

Left to their own devices, they can become a large shrub or small tree, similar in proportions to a holly, but in the confines of a pot, growth will be less vigorous and they can grow quite happily like this for many years.

being a Mediterranean plant it is best suited to a sunny south facing position, although it will also tolerate some shade.

There is nothing like the smell of the freshly crushed leaves on a warm summers day, so much more aromatic than those dried ones sold in shops!
There is a large bush in the sensory garden at a care home that I visit and my dear ol' Mum always recognizes the smell when I crush a leaf under her nose and that smell stays on my hand for the rest of the day.