PlantAdvice.co.uk

• Other features: Black autumn berries on female plants; contact with the foliage may aggravate skin allergies; the mature leaves may be used fresh or dried in bouquet garni for flavouring stocks and sauces

These evergreen bay laurel pyramids are ideal for punctuating a formal or contemporary planting scheme. Since the lustrous aromatic dark green leaves valuable for culinary use are susceptible to wind scorch provide a sheltered sunny or partially shady site and winter protection in cold areas.

Garden Care: Keep well-watered during the growing season and feed with a slow-release fertiliser such as Osmacote. Clip established plants lightly twice during the summer months to retain a balanced shape using secateurs not shears.

Goes well with: Taxus baccata, Ligustrum delavayanum 'Cone', Phlox divaricata 'White Perfume', Pulmonaria officinalis 'Sissinghurst White', Polemonium caeruleum 'Brise d Anjou', Astrantia major 'Alba'.