Bay Ball

These evergreen bay laurel balls are great for flanking a set of steps, a doorway or path. Provide a sheltered, sunny or partially shady site and winter protection in cold areas since the lustrous, aromatic, dark green leaves, valuable for their culinary use, are susceptible to wind scorch.Position: full sun or partial shadeSoil: fertile, moist but well-drained soilRate of growth: slow-growing Flowering period: March to May Flower colour: clusters of greenish-yellow flowersOther 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 saucesHardiness: frost hardy (needs winter protection)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 shearsGoes well with: Taxus baccata, Ligustrum delavayanum 'Cone', Phlox divaricata 'White Perfume', Pulmonaria officinalis 'Sissinghurst White', Polemonium caeruleum 'Brise d Anjou', Astrantia major 'Alba'
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