Sweet Bay Laural Tree {Laurus Nobilis} Pre-Stratified | 5 seeds Free US Shipping

Description

Sweet Bay Laural Tree {Laurus Nobilis} Aromatic | Edible | Medicinal | Pre-Stratified | 5 seeds Free US Shipping!
Sweet Bay is an evergreen tree or shrub in the laurel family native to the Mediterranian area.
In its native habitat, it can reach up to 60 feet tall. In NC it is generally grown in a
container as a patio or houseplant and is much smaller.
The aromatic leaves are used in cooking such as soups and pasta. It has separate male and
female plants with only the female ones producing the berry-like drupes.
It tolerates a variety of well-drained soil types in full sun to partial shade. It grows
slowly but has been used as a hedge or as a topiary. It needs to be brought indoors in
the winter in areas colder than zone 8b to prevent frost damage.
Use it as a small tree in an herb garden, or plant several for a screen or a privacy hedge.
It can be pruned into a topiary.  Its evergreen leaves and fissured dark gray bark make it
an excellent choice as a specimen for shady locations and also give it good winter interest.
Attributes:
Genus:
Laurus
Species:
nobilis
Family:
Lauraceae
Uses (Ethnobotany):
It is used in herbal medicine and in massage therapy.
Life Cycle:
Woody
Country Or Region Of Origin:
Mediterranean
Fire Risk Rating:
low flammability
Wildlife Value:
Trees attract birds.
Edibility:
Leaves are used to flavor foods while cooking, but the leaves should not be eaten for a variety
of reasons including but not limited to choking and creating cuts inside the digestive tract
or/ and mouth because the leaves are sharp.
Dimensions:
Height: 8 ft. 0 in. - 12 ft. 0 in.
Width: 8 ft. 0 in. - 30 ft. 0 in.
Whole Plant Traits:
Plant Type:
Edible
Herb
Houseplant
Shrub
Tree
Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
Broadleaf Evergreen
Habit/Form:
Conical
Dense
Oval
Pyramidal
Growth Rate:
Medium
Cultural Conditions:
Light:
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil Texture:
Clay
High Organic Matter
Loam (Silt)
Sand
Soil Drainage:
Good Drainage
Occasionally Dry
Occasionally Wet
Available Space To Plant:
6-feet-12 feet
12-24 feet
NC Region:
Coastal
USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
8b, 9b, 9a, 10b, 10a
Fruit:
Fruit Color:
Black
Purple/Lavender
Fruit Type:
Berry
Fruit Length:
< 1 inch
Fruit Description:
Small black or purple berries 1/4"-1/2".
Flowers:
Flower Color:
Gold/Yellow
Green
White
Flower Bloom Time:
Spring
Flower Description:
Dioecious, meaning there are male and female trees. Green, white, or
yellow flowers appear in the spring from March to May.
Leaves:
Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
Broadleaf Evergreen
Leaf Color:
Blue
Gray/Silver
Green
Leaf Value To Gardener:
Edible
Fragrant
Leaf Type:
Simple
Leaf Arrangement:
Alternate
Leaf Shape:
Ovate
Leaf Margin:
Entire
Hairs Present:
No
Leaf Length:
1-3 inches
Leaf Description:
Simple, alternate, ovate blue-green to silvery gray green, with smooth margins.
Bark:
Bark Color:
Dark Gray
Light Gray
Surface/Attachment:
Fissured
Stem:
Stem Is Aromatic:
No
Landscape:
Landscape Location:
Container
Houseplants
Patio
Small Space
Woodland
Landscape Theme:
Edible Garden
Garden for the Blind
Design Feature:
Hedge
Screen/Privacy
Specimen
Attracts:
Songbirds
Problems:
Messy
Problem for Cats
Problem for Dogs
Problem for Horses
Poisonous to Humans:
Poison Severity:
Low
Poison Symptoms:
Vomiting and diarrhea; Large ingestion of whole leaves can cause obstruction
Poison Toxic Principle:
Eugenol, and other essential oils
Causes Contact Dermatitis:
No