Bay tree in a container

Discussion in 'Trees' started by hi2u_uk, Jun 24, 2023.

  1. hi2u_uk

    hi2u_uk Gardener

    Joined:
    Apr 2, 2022
    Messages:
    143
    Gender:
    Male
    Ratings:
    +38
    I am thinking of buying a bay tree in a pot to keep in my garden long term
    Does anyone have any thoughts , tips, comments etc about Bay trees in containers.
    Any suggestions of a good retailer.
     
  2. Jocko

    Jocko Guided by my better half.

    Joined:
    Jan 2, 2022
    Messages:
    2,417
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Retired engineer. Now Vice CEO of the garden.
    Location:
    Danderhall on southern edge of Edinburgh. Zone 8a.
    Ratings:
    +6,782
  3. hi2u_uk

    hi2u_uk Gardener

    Joined:
    Apr 2, 2022
    Messages:
    143
    Gender:
    Male
    Ratings:
    +38
    Thanks but the website is suggesting i would need to take it out of the container /pot. I do not want to do that i want to keep it in the container
     
  4. JWK

    JWK Gardener Staff Member

    Joined:
    Jun 3, 2008
    Messages:
    32,365
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Surrey
    Ratings:
    +49,749
    I'd want to go and choose at a good local nursery rather than online.

    That's where I got mine 30 years ago and it's been in a pot till this spring I planted it the soil. The pot stopped it getting out of hand but it never really looked happy. It needed pruning and compost changing to perk it up. Get as big a container as you can afford is my tip.
     
    • Informative Informative x 1
    • Loofah

      Loofah Admin Staff Member

      Joined:
      Feb 20, 2008
      Messages:
      13,897
      Gender:
      Male
      Location:
      Guildford
      Ratings:
      +24,308
      If you don't mind growing it on then most DIY stores like homebase have them. I picked up a pot of bay for a fiver and got 16 plants from it
       
      • Like Like x 1
      • pete

        pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

        Joined:
        Jan 9, 2005
        Messages:
        51,026
        Gender:
        Male
        Occupation:
        Retired
        Location:
        Mid Kent
        Ratings:
        +93,702
        I'm just confused what people find attractive about bay trees, but maybe I'm biased.:smile:
         
        • Agree Agree x 2
        • Loofah

          Loofah Admin Staff Member

          Joined:
          Feb 20, 2008
          Messages:
          13,897
          Gender:
          Male
          Location:
          Guildford
          Ratings:
          +24,308
          And use a soil based compost
           
          • Like Like x 1
          • JWK

            JWK Gardener Staff Member

            Joined:
            Jun 3, 2008
            Messages:
            32,365
            Gender:
            Male
            Location:
            Surrey
            Ratings:
            +49,749
            We grow it purely for culinary purposes, so having a supply of fresh clean leaves is important. Can't say it is an ornamental plant in my eyes, it never flowered much in a pot.
             
            • Like Like x 1
            • Agree Agree x 1
            • Informative Informative x 1
            • Alisa

              Alisa Super Gardener

              Joined:
              Apr 21, 2014
              Messages:
              604
              Gender:
              Female
              Location:
              Portsmouth, Hampshire
              Ratings:
              +1,801
              Yes, me too, soup without a bay leaf isn't soup. :)
               
              • Agree Agree x 1
              • Informative Informative x 1
              • pete

                pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

                Joined:
                Jan 9, 2005
                Messages:
                51,026
                Gender:
                Male
                Occupation:
                Retired
                Location:
                Mid Kent
                Ratings:
                +93,702
                I dont think I've ever tasted a bay leaf.:scratch:
                 
              • hi2u_uk

                hi2u_uk Gardener

                Joined:
                Apr 2, 2022
                Messages:
                143
                Gender:
                Male
                Ratings:
                +38
                Can anyone tell me if the bay trees smell nice in their gardens or attract any pests ?
                 
              • NigelJ

                NigelJ Total Gardener

                Joined:
                Jan 31, 2012
                Messages:
                6,755
                Gender:
                Male
                Occupation:
                Mad Scientist
                Location:
                Paignton Devon
                Ratings:
                +22,975
                I haven't noticed a strong smell, if rubbed against smells of bay. Pests the only one I've had has been scale insects.
                 
              • Michael Hewett

                Michael Hewett Total Gardener

                Joined:
                Mar 13, 2016
                Messages:
                5,206
                Gender:
                Male
                Occupation:
                Retired
                Location:
                Hilly Carmarthenshire in Wales
                Ratings:
                +19,593
                The cut stems smell nice when pruned.
                I have two in tubs but they never look happy. The ones in the ground are growing much better.
                Another thing about them is they have suckers and you have to keep taking them out.
                 
              • Upsydaisy

                Upsydaisy Total Gardener

                Joined:
                Apr 26, 2017
                Messages:
                17,442
                Gender:
                Female
                Occupation:
                Living in hope of world wide peace.
                Location:
                Hampshire. Zone 8b
                Ratings:
                +54,386
                No fragrance here either.

                20230625_104449.jpg
                 
              Loading...

              Share This Page

              1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
                By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
                Dismiss Notice