Bay laurel is an evergreen shrub or tree with aromatic leaves. It is native to the Mediterranean region and is used as a spice in many cuisines. The leaves can be used fresh or dried, and the essential oil is used in perfumery and for medicinal purposes.
Related plant:
Hydrangea Paniculata Diamant Rouge
Related plant:
Japanese Barberry
About soil condition, bay laurel prefers well-drained soils, whether sandy, loamy or clay. It is not particular about soil pH, but it cannot tolerate wet or waterlogged soils. Once established, bay laurel is quite drought tolerant.
So, like the other herbs, bay laurel requires sun to grow. It should be placed in an area of the garden that gets full sun to partial shade. Bay laurel can also be grown in pots and containers, as long as they are placed in a sunny spot.
The temperature condition that is most ideal for bay laurels is one that is warm and humid. This type of environment is necessary in order for the plant to thrive and produce the most flavorful leaves. Bay laurels can tolerate some cold temperatures, but they will not produce as much flavor in the leaves if they are grown in cooler climates.
Ideal humidity condition for this plant is 50-70%. The plant does not tolerate drought well, and will drop leaves if the soil is allowed to dry out. It prefers a slightly acidic to neutral soil with a pH of 6.0-7.5.
The fertilizer, this family of plant foods contains the three primary nutrients needed for plant growth: nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Though there are many different types and formulations of fertilizer, they all contain these three nutrients in varying proportions. Fertilizers can be applied to the soil or directly to the leaves of plants. Fertilizers can be inorganic, such as commercial products, or they can be organic, such as manure or compost. Bay laurel is a hardy, evergreen shrub that can reach a height of 15 feet. It has a dense, pyramidal growth habit with glossy, dark green leaves. Bay laurel is tolerant of a wide range of soils and prefers full sun to partial shade. Bay laurel is not particular about fertilizer and does not need a lot of extra nutrients. However, you may want to apply a general purpose fertilizer to the soil around your bay laurel shrub once a year to give it a boost.
Pruning your bay laurel is an important step in keeping your plant healthy. Bay laurels can be pruned anytime during the growing season, but the best time to prune is in late winter or early spring. This will give the plant time to recover from the pruning and produce new growth. When pruning, make sure to remove any dead or diseased branches. Also, remove any branches that are growing in an undesirable direction.
Propagation is relatively easy, as bay laurel will root readily from semi-ripe cuttings taken in summer. It can also be grown from seed, although germination can be erratic and it can take several years for a seedling to come into flower.
Usually, the plant growth rate is determined by the species of the plant. Soil quality, climate, and amount of sunlight also play a role in how quickly a bay laurel plant will grow. In general, bay laurels grow relatively slowly. They may take several years to reach their full size and may not produce fruit for several years.
Common problems for this kind of plant are root rot, fungal diseases, and caterpillars. Root rot is the most common problem and is caused by too much moisture in the soil. This can be prevented by planting in well-drained soil and watering only when the soil is dry. Fungal diseases such as powdery mildew and leaf spot can be controlled by using a fungicide. Caterpillars can be controlled by using an insecticide.
Source:
Laurel Bay Schools | DoDEA
Laurel Career College & Tech School in Pennsylvania | Laurel
SOD: Bay Laurel Removal - Rausser College of Natural Resources