About Bay Herbs and Uses

Bay is an evergreen tree native"' to southern Europe, and now found throughout the world.

That this ancient plant was much respected in Roman times is reflected in the root of its family name, Lauraceae, the Latin 'laurus' meaning 'praise', and in its main species name, Laurus nobilis, the latin 'nobilis' meaning 'famous', 'renowned'. A bay wreath became a mark of excellence for poets and athletes, a symbol of wisdom and glory. The latin 'laureate' means crowned with laurels (synonym for bay), hence Poet Laureate, of course, and the French baccalaureate.

The bay tree was sacred even earlier - to Apollo, Greek god of prophecy, poetry and healing. His priestesses ate bay leaves before expounding his oracles at Delphi. As large doses of bay induce the effect of a narcotic, this may explain their trances. His temple had its roof made entirely of bay leaves, ostensibly to protect against disease, witchcraft and lightning. Apollo's son Aesculapius, the Greek god of Medicine, also had bay dedicated to him as it was considered a powerful antiseptic and guard against disease, in particular the plague.

In the 17th-century, Culpeper wrote that 'neither witch nor devil, thunder nor lightening, will hurt a man in the place where a bay-tree is.' He also wrote that 'the berries are very effectual against the poison of venomous creatures, and the stings of wasps and bees.'

SPECIES

Laurus azorica (canadensis)

Canary Island Bay

Perennial evergreen tree. Ht to 6m (20ft). Reddish-brown branches, a colour which sometimes extends to the leaves.

Laurus nobilis

Bay

Also known as Sweet Bay, Sweet Laurel, Laurel, Indian Bay, Grecian Laurel. Perennial evergreen tree. Ht up to 8m (26ft), spread 3m (12ft). Small pale yellow-waxy flowers in spring. Green oval berries turning black in autumn. The leaves may be added to stock, soups and stews and are among the main ingredients of bouquet garni. L. nobilis is the only bay used for culinary purposes.

Laurus nobilis 'Aurea'

Golden Bay

Perennial evergreen tree. Ht up to 5m (18ft). Small pale yellow waxy flowers in spring. Green berries

turning black in autumn. Golden leaves can look sickly in damp, cooler countries. Needs good protection in winter especially from wind scorch and frosts. Trim in the autumn/spring to maintain

the golden leaves.

Laurus nobilis F. angustifolia

Willow Leaf Bay

Perennial evergreen tree. Ht| up to 7m (23ft). Narrow leafed variety, said to be hardier than L. nobilis against wind scorch. This is not strictly true.

Umbellularia calif ornica

Californian Laurel

Perenial evergreen tree. Ht up to 18m (60ft). Pale yellow flowers in late spring. Very pungent/aromatic leaves. Can cause headaches and nausea when the leaves are crushed. NOT culinary.

CULTIVATION

Propagation

Seed

Bay sets seed in its black berries, but rarely in cooler climates. Sow fresh seed on the surface of either a seed or plug tray or directly into pots. Keep warm: 21°C (65°F). Germination is erratic, may take place within 10-20 days, in 6 months, or sometimes even longer. Make sure the compost is not too wet or it will rot the seeds.

Cuttings

Not a plant for the faint hearted. When I started propagating over 20 years ago I thought my bay cuttings were doing really well, but a year later not 1 had properly struck, and three-quarters of them had turned black and died. Out of 100 cuttings only 1 eventually turned into a tree!

A heated propagator is a great help and high humidity is essential. Use cither a misting unit or cover the cutting in plastic and maintain the compost or Perlite at a steady moisture. It may be an art but worth the try. Cuttings are taken in late summer 10cm (4in) in length.

Division

If offshoots arc sent out In the parent plant, dig them up or they will destroy the shape of the tree. Occasionally roots come with them and these then can be potted up, using the hark, peat, grit mix of compost. Place a plastic bag over the pot to maintain humidity. Leave somewhere warm and check from time to time to see if new shoots arc starting. When they do, remove the plastic bag. Do not plant out for at least a year.

Layering

Do it in spring. A good method of propagating a difficult plant.

Pests and Diseases

Bav is susceptible to soolv black spots, caused by the scale insect which sticks both to the undersides of leaves and to the stems, sucking the sap. (let rid of them bv hand or use a liquid horticultural soap.

Maintenance

Spring: Sow Seeds, (ait back standard and garden bay trees to maintain shape and to promote new growth. Cut back golden bay trees to maintain colour. Check for scale insect and eradicate at first signs. Give container grown plants a good liquid feed.

Summer: Check that young plants are not drying out too much. In very hot weather, and especially if you live in a city, spray-clean containergrown plants with water. Propagate by taking stem cuttings or layering in late summer.

Autumn: Take cuttings of mature plants. Protect container grown plants and young garden plants. Garden plants can be protected either by covering in straw or bracken, if in a sufficiently sheltered position, or by agricultural fleece.

Winter: In severe winters the leaves will turn brown but don't despair, come the spring, it may shoot new growth from the base. To encourage this, cut the plant nearly down to the base.

Garden Cultivation

Bay is shallow rooted and therefore more prone to frost damage. Also, leaves are easily scorched in extremely cold weather or in strong cold winds. Protection is thus essential, especially for bay trees under 2 years old. When planting out, position the plant in full sun, protected from the wind, and in a rich well-drained soil at least lm (3ft) away from other plants to start with, allowing more space as the tree matures. Mulch in the spring to retain moisture throughout the summer months.

Harvest

Being evergreen leaves can be taken all year round. It is fashionable now to preserve bay leaves in vinegars.

Berries are cultivated for use in laurel oil and laurel butter. The latter is a vital ingredient of laurin ointment, which is used in veterinary medicine.

MEDICINAL

Infuse the leaves to aid digestion and stimulate the appetite.

CONTAINER GROWING

Bay makes a good container plant. Young plants benefit from being kept in a container and indoors for the winter in cooler climates. The kitchen windowsill is ideal. Do not water too much, and let the compost dry out in the winter months.

Large standard bays or pyramids look very effective in half barrels or containers of an equal size. Anything in a container will need extra protection in winter from frosts and wind, so if the temperature drops below -5°C (25°F) bring the plants in.

To produce a standard bay tree, start with a young containerized plant with a straight growing stem. As it begins to grow remove the lower side shoots, below where you want the ball to begin. Allow the tree to grow to 20cm (Sin) higher than desired, then clip back the growing tip. Cut the remaining side shoots down to about 3 leaves. When the side shoots have grown a further 4/5 leaves, trim again to 2/3 leaves. Keep repeating this until you have a leafy ball shape. Once the shape is established prune with secateurs in late spring and again in late summer to maintain it.

OTHER USES

Place in flour to deter weevil. Add an infusion to a bath to relieve aching limbs.

CULINARY

Fresh leaves are stronger in flavour than dried ones. Use in soups, stews and stocks.

Add leaves to poached fish, like salmon.

Put on the coals of a barbecue.

Put fresh leaves in jars of rice to flavor the rice.

Boil in milk to flavor custards and rice pudding.

Bouquet Garni

1 quote from my grandmother's cookbook, Food for Pleasure, published in 1950: 'A bouquet garni is a bunch of herbs constantly required in cooking.' The essential herbs in a bouquet garni are bay leaf, parsley and thyme.