Bay Trees

The best time to prune a bay tree in the UK is late spring to early summer, typically May or June. This is when the plant is in active growth and will respond well to shaping, thickening and recovery. Pruning at this time also avoids frost damage to newer shoots.

While light shaping is always safe, bays can also take some more aggressive pruning (even into older wood) but only during the main growing season. After a hard prune, feed well and water through summer to encourage strong new growth.

Bay trees prefer regular moisture but hate sitting in water, so it's best the top inch of compost dry slightly before watering again. During warm spells, check pots every couple of days. In winter, water sparingly, just enough to stop the rootball drying out.

Use a quality peat-free multi-purpose compost with added grit for drainage. Repot every two to three years in a slightly larger container. If the pot is already large enough, scrape off the top few centimetres of compost each spring and replace with fresh compost.

A balanced liquid fertiliser works very well, such as an all-purpose plant food or a standard tomato feed at half strength. These provide a steady supply of nitrogen for healthy green growth, along with the potash and trace minerals needed to keep the foliage glossy and resilient. Feed every two to three weeks from April to September, then stop in autumn so the plant can slow down and harden off for winter.

Bay trees are naturally slow growing, but they can become surprisingly large if left unpruned. In a pot, most bays will usually grow to between 1.2 and 2m, but if planted straight into the garden, they can reach as tall as 7.5m in the right growing conditions.

Although bay trees are hardy, those grown in pots will benefit from winter protection to avoid frost damage. Moving the pot to a sheltered spot, such as against a house wall, helps buffer the cold. Wrapping the container with fleece or bubble wrap keeps the roots from freezing, and during severe cold spells you can cover the foliage with a fleece jacket for extra security.

Bay trees enjoy a bright, sheltered spot where they can get plenty of light without being battered by strong winds. They grow happily in full sun, but a little light shade during the day will not bother them at all. The key is to avoid deep shade and exposed corners, as both can lead to thin, stressed growth.