Laurus nobilis / Bay Laurel

Classic, glossy and wonderfully useful, Laurus nobilis (Bay) makes a beautiful evergreen hedge with a smart, polished look all year round. It’s ideal if you want privacy and structure without anything too harsh — the foliage is dense, deep green and aromatic, and it clips neatly into a formal line or a softer, more natural screen.

And of course, it’s not just for looks: bay leaves can be picked fresh for the kitchen, bringing that lovely “garden-to-table” feeling to everyday cooking.

Quick Facts
Botanical Name: Laurus nobilis
Common Name: Bay / Bay Laurel
Plant Type: Evergreen hedge / shrub
Foliage: Glossy, deep green, aromatic leaves
Form: Dense, upright growth; clips well as a hedge
Position: Sun to partial shade (shelter from harsh, drying winds if very exposed)
Soil: Well-drained soil; avoid waterlogged ground
Hardiness: Hardy in Irish/UK gardens, best in a sheltered spot (especially in colder/exposed areas)
Best For: Evergreen hedging, screening, formal structure, kitchen gardens, pots and trained shapes
Maintenance: Moderate; trims well and thickens with regular clipping

How to Plant (as a Hedge)
Prepare the ground well — bay appreciates good drainage and a bit of organic matter worked into the soil. Plant in a straight line, firm in, and water thoroughly. Keep watering regularly through the first growing season while it establishes, especially in dry spells.

Care Guide
Bay responds brilliantly to pruning. Trim once or twice a year to keep it neat and encourage a thicker hedge (late spring and late summer are ideal). Mulch in spring to conserve moisture and feed the soil. In very exposed gardens, a sheltered position helps prevent wind scorch on the leaves.

Caragh Garden Notebook
For the smartest finish, clip on a dry day and aim for the hedge to be slightly wider at the base than the top — it helps light reach the lower growth and keeps it full from top to bottom. If you’re planting near a path or patio, bay is a gorgeous choice because the foliage releases that warm, herbal scent as you brush past.