Laurus nobilis, or the Bay Tree is a naturally conical-shaped, evergreen tree or shrub with glossy, dark green, leathery leaves and star-shaped, yellow flowers that mature to purple berries.
Its leaves are often used in cooking - particularly good in stew or bouillabaisse and the main part of Bouquet Garni.
Many are grown in large pots or tubs, and trained to a pom-pom top over a single stem up to 2m tall.
Moderately frost hardy, these plants are easy to grow and maintain, often being cultivated purely as ornamentals.