Bay Tree

Plant in a sheltered, sunny spot with well-drained soil. Bay tolerates some shade but produces more aromatic leaves in full sun. In containers, use a loam-based compost such as John Innes No. 3 and repot every two to three years. Water container-grown bay regularly in summer and sparingly in winter. In colder regions (USDA zone 7 and below), move containers to an unheated greenhouse or wrap the pot with fleece and bubble wrap over winter. Bay is slow to establish but, once settled, requires very little feeding. Pick leaves year-round for cooking; older leaves have the strongest flavour.

Clip to shape in summer, between June and August, to maintain formal standards, pyramids, or lollipop shapes. Use secateurs rather than hedge trimmers to avoid cutting leaves in half, which causes browning. Remove suckers from the base as they appear. Neglected bay can be renovated by hard pruning in late spring.