The Bay Laurel is a naturally pyramid-shaped tree with aromatic, evergreen leaves and shiny grey bark. Whilst it will grow in shade, it is best suited to a sunny position and will grow on most soil types as long as it is well-drained.

Bay is generally pruned and kept 1 to 3 metres tall (3-10ft), but in left it can reach 12m (40ft). In warm areas bays bear yellowish-white flowers and small black fruit. Bay will thrive and are very attractive in containers making them ideal for the patio. The size of the pot will control the size of the tree. A 30cm (12in) diameter pot will produce a reasonable size tree of about 1.5m (5ft). It can be kept to any height and width if suitable pruning is carried out.

The shiny thick leaves are used extensively to flavour French, Italian, Spanish and Creole cooking. French chefs tie bay leaves, parsley and thyme in a bundle called a bouquet garni that is removed after cooking.

Bay prefers a position sheltered from harsh wind. Although hardy to -6°C (21°F) young bay plants are most risk of frost damage. If frost does cause the leaves to turn brown, simple cut the plant down to about 15cm (6 in) above soil level. In the spring, new shoots will appear from the base.
Where growing bay in a container, you may wish to protect them or bring them indoors during the coldest three months of the year. A light, cool airy room is best. Don't water very much during winter, let the compost almost dry out before adding more water.

Sowing:
Sow in Spring or Autumn.
Soak the seeds for 24 hours in warm water. Fill small pots with a moist, but definitely not water-saturated compost. Place the seeds on the surface and just barely cover them with dry compost as they need light to germinate. Place the containers in an area ideally at a temperature of around 10-16°C (50-60°F).
Success is erratic; seeds can take between 40 to 90 days to germinate.
The big danger with bay seeds is that they rot before they germinate – so keep them on the dry side of moist. Bay grows slowly, so not a seed for the impatient gardener!

Transplanting:
Bay laurel likes to be pot bound and can stay in its final 30cm (12 in) container for six years or more. After this, repot into a container which is about 5cm (2 in) wider. Ensure that the base of the pot has good drainage (use broken clay pot on the base of the pot) and fill in with normal potting compost. Planting the tree is straight forward; ensure that it is planted to the same depth as the soil mark on the trunk.

Cultivation:
In early spring, remove the top 2.5cm (1 in) of compost and replace it with new compost. Feed container-grown bay in mid-spring and then more regularly (every fortnight) during the summer growing period. If any weeding is required around Bay laurel, do this by hand. Bay has a very shallow root system which can easily be damaged by digging too near the stem. Bay requires an annual trim in the autumn to shape them.

Create a Bay Standard:
Take a young plant with as straight a stem as possible. As the plant grows, remove all lower side shoots, but keep the top side-shoots. When the bay is about 20cm (8in) higher than the final height cut out the topmost growing tip. Clip back the remaining side shoots to about 3 leaves. This will encourage the head of the plant to grow. As more side shoots appear, trim them back to about 3 leaves. When the bay is fully-shaped, prune in late spring and late summer to maintain its shape.

Leaf Harvesting:
During the first two years, the leaves should be harvested in moderate amounts. Choose the healthiest leaves - the greener the colour, the better the quality aroma. Pick bay leaves early in the day and dry quickly, out of sunlight, under weight so they won't curl. If stored in an air-tight jar, they will keep their flavour for up to a year. Over aged leaves have lost their fragrance, show a brownish hue and taste mostly bitter.

Culinary Use: You will not notice the scent of Bay Laurel until you cook the leaves; the flavour is stored in the leaf and not strong until the oils are released in the pot. For cooking, keep in mind that fresh Bay is stronger than the dried leaves so don't overdo it. Always remove the bay leaves from the food before serving,
The laurel fruits are less known, although they appear as part of commercial spice mixtures. Because of their robust taste, they fit best to tasty sauces and gravies.

Medicinal Properties:
Bay laurel is settling to the stomach and has a tonic effect, stimulating the appetite and aids in the digestion and absorption of food.
Oil of bay may be rubbed on arthritic aches and pains, muscle sprains and tendon swellings for relief. To make the oil, simply heat some of the leaves in a little olive oil over very low heat for about 20 minutes without actually cooking the oil too much or causing it to burn and smoke. Set aside and allow the leaves to further simmer for a while. Strain and use the oil as needed for these conditions and others like lower backache, varicose veins and so forth.

Other Uses:
Bay laurel makes a terrific anti-dandruff rinse. Add crumpled bay leaves to boiled water. Cover and steep for 25 minutes. Strain and refrigerate tea. Use as a rinse after washing your hair. Massaging well into the scalp. Leave for about an hour and then rinse out.
The leaves are used as decorations during the Christmas season.
Sprinkle crushed leaves in cupboards to keep out fleas and other insects
The oil is used in perfumery, added to toothpaste and deodorant because of its antibacterial action. Bay is also used as an additive in soaps.

Historical Uses:
Laurel has always symbolized victory and merit, and a baccalaureate (baca lauri, Latin for "laurel berry") still is a symbol of accomplishment. In ancient Greece and Rome, poets were honoured with crowns of laurel and declared poets laureate.

Bay laurel has been credited with magical properties. It was used in the Middle Ages to keep away evil and resist witchcraft. Worn in an amulet, it was said to provide protection from evil and negativity. It was burned to enhance psychic powers and to produce visions, placed in windows to protect against lightning striking the house and hung over doorways to keep away poltergeists!
It is said if you write a wish on a Bay leaf and then burn it the wish will come true!