Читать книгу Your Herb Garden - Barbara Segall - Страница 27
BAY
Оглавление(Laurus nobilis – Lauraceae)
Bay, a shrubby tree, offers evergreen and aromatic foliage that can be clipped into decorative topiary shapes to provide year-round ornament in the garden.
| type | Evergreen shrub or tree |
| flowers | Small, creamy white, early summer (in hot climates only) |
| leaves | Oval-shaped, smooth green leaves |
| height | Depending on situation and climate, in time up to 12m (40ft). Slow-growing and suits containers. Can be clipped as a cone or standard to 1–1.2m (3–4ft). |
| spread | Up to 9m (30ft) |
| planting | Plant in autumn or spring |
| position | Sunny and sheltered |
| soil | Any, but best in light, well-drained soil. Container-grown bay needs a well-aerated, loam compost |
| care | In cold areas and in the first year of growth, protect with hessian windbreaks. Overwinter container-grown bay in frost-free conditions. From midwinter onwards check branches and undersurfaces of leaves for scale insects |
| propagation | Heel cuttings in late summer |
| species and varieties | Laurus nobilis ‘Aurea’ has yellowy-gold leaves and L.n. angustifolia, or willow-leaf bay, has narrow leaves. These varieties are best used ornamentally |
| harvest | Pick leaves throughout the year, but at their peak for drying in spring and early summer |
| herbal value | Leaves are used to flavour soups, fish stock, stews, marinades and in pickling |
