If you are looking to add something both elegant and useful to your garden, the bay tree could be the perfect pick. With its dark green, fragrant foliage and its architectural interest, this tree is an all-rounder of the highest order. Easy to grow, whether you desire it as a feature plant, fragrant kitchen assistant or a sculpted topiary, it is always well worth having.
The best tree to use in-ground or in containers is the so-called bay tree that The Plant Company provides. The Plant Company offers top-quality plants that thrive across Australian climates, and their tree selection is always a dream of a gardener. It is tough, evergreen and relatively easy to grow in different conditions.
Choosing the Right Spot
A bay tree likes lots of sun, not part shade, and does not worry much about the soil. It will also adapt itself to clay or loam soils or even poor soils, provided the drainage is good. Always make sure that the pot used in containers has good drainage holes.
Planting and Establishment Tips
To give your tree the best start:
- Add compost or aged manure to the soil at planting time
- Use a slow-release fertiliser if the soil is too poor
- Stake larger trees for support during their early years
- Water regularly until well-established.
Established bay trees are fairly drought-resistant and do not require a lot of fertilising, although a spring top-up of controlled-release fertiliser is all that is needed.
Pruning and Maintenance
Bay trees are amenable to pruning and can be good options as candidates to be shaped.
They can be clipped into topiary shapes, such as cones or balls, or just maintained as bushy and trim.
- Prune in early spring to maintain size and encourage new growth
- If the base is growing normally, remove suckers.
- Thin out inner branches to improve airflow and reduce pests.
Pest Control and Common Issues
Bay trees are generally tough but can attract scale insects or thrips.
Look out for black sooty mould or silvering of leaves.
- Treat scale insects with a food-safe horticultural oil
- Encourage airflow around the plant to deter thrips
- Avoid spraying edible leaves with harsh chemicals.
Growing in Pots
The bay trees can also be grown in containers when you reside in a colder climate or have a limited area to grow them.
In the colder months, they should be kept near a bright window indoors and later transferred outside when the weather is nice.
- Water as the topsoil dries out
- Repot or root-prune every two years
- Use quality potting mix and fertilise every 3 months.
Easy Propagation
Bay trees may be increased by cutting in late summer. Select 10 cm semi-hardwood cuttings with a small heel of bark, strip lower leaves, dip in rooting gel and insert in the moist propagating mix until roots appear.
A bit of patience and tender loving care will ensure that your bay tree not only becomes a beautiful addition to your garden but will also provide you with a fragrant and flavourful herb throughout the year.
