Bay Laurel (Bay Tree/Sweet Bay)
Botanical Name: Laurus nobilis 'Miles Choice'
Family: Lauraceae
Origin: Mediterranean (southern Europe to western Asia)
Plant Type: Evergreen shrub/small tress
Overview
A compact, upright culinary bay selected for denser, tidier hedging and aromatic foliage. ‘Miles Choice’ keeps a neat shape with clipping, shows pale yellow spring flowers, and handles South Australian heat, coastal winds and dry summers once established—ideal for low-maintenance structure, formal hedges and statement pots.
Key Features
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Mature Size: 6-7 m H x 3-4 m W; easily maintained at 1–3 m as a hedge/topiary with regular clipping
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Growth Rate: 15-30 cm per year under good conditions
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Foliage: Glossy, leathery dark green, strongly aromatic leaves for cooking; new growth often bronzy before maturing
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Flowers: Small pale yellow clusters in spring (Sept–Oct in SA); female plants may set black berries
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Seasonal Interest: Evergreen structure year-round; yellow spring bloom and (on female plants) decorative black berries; clipped forms stay crisp through summer heat and winter alike
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Wildlife Value: Spring flowers provide nectar and pollen for bees and pollinators
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Tolerance: Heat-Tolerant, Drought-Tolerant (once established), Coastal-Tolerant (salt & sea breeze), Wind-Tolerant (shelter while young), Frost Hardy (light–moderate), Clay-Tolerant (well-drained clay loams; avoid waterlogging)
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Planting Density: Shrub borders/hedges: 0.6–1.0 m apart for a dense screen, or 1.2–1.5 m for a looser effect. (Adjust tighter for faster fill at low hedge heights.)
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Pet Friendly: Not pet-safe if ingested — toxic to cats, dogs and horses (essential oils incl. eugenol). Keep leaves/prunings away from pets
Where It Works Best
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Sunlight: Full sun to part shade (full sun = denser growth, more flavour)
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Soil: Well-drained loam/sandy loam/clay loam; avoid waterlogging
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Water Needs: Establishment: 2 deep soaks/week for 8-12 weeks. Established: deep soak every 10-14 days in summer; monthly in winter if dry.
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Maintenance: Clip in late winter or lightly through the warm season to maintain shape; slow-release feed in early spring; excellent in containers and as standards/topiary
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Lifespan: 15-25+ years
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Climate Zones: Suited to temperate and Mediterranean SA gardens, including coastal areas
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Soil pH: Neutral–alkaline preferred; tolerates slightly acidic if drainage is good
Landscape & Design Ideas
- Formal hedges and clipped standards to frame entries, courtyards and driveways
- Statement pots (balls, cones, spirals) flanking doors and terraces
- Kitchen garden essential: harvest mature leaves fresh or dried (remove from dishes before serving)
Why You Will Love It
‘Miles Choice’ gives year-round evergreen structure and culinary leaves on demand in a compact, easy-to-shape package—tough enough for SA heat and coastal sites, refined enough for formal hedges and topiary.
