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standard bay tree

A standard bay tree is a classic choice for New Zealand gardens, prized for its elegant form and aromatic foliage. With their neat, lollipop-shaped heads atop clear stems, standard bay trees bring instant sophistication to courtyards, decks, or formal entryways. Not only do they create structural interest year-round, but their edible leaves add distinctive depth to your cooking. Whether lining a pathway or spotlighting a decorative pot, the standard bay tree is a striking blend of utility and beauty.

Laurus 'Pride Of Provence' young trees at The Plant Company nursery.

Laurus nobilis Pride of Provence

Laurus nobilis 'Pride of Provence' is a variety of Laurel selected for its compact growth habit. This evergreen tree features lush, glossy, dark green leaves, which are aromatic and somewhat leathery in appearance. Flowers produced in spring are pale yellow-green and result in small and glossy, black berries as it grows to 2 m tall and the same width. Laurus nobilis 'Pride of Provence' is an excellent plant for trimming into a hedge, using as a screening plant, planting as a backdrop for smaller plants, maintaining in a container, or growing as a specimen. The leaves on this variety are the well-known Bay Leaves, and can be used fresh or dry in cooking to add flavour to dishes.

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Shrubs
Height: 2.00 m
Spread: 2.00 m
Flowering time: Spring
Tolerances: Coastal, Hardy
Garden uses: Containers, Culinary, Hedging, Living areas, Parks, Pool areas, Specimen, Topiary
Garden styles: Alpine, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Cottage, Formal, Frontyard, Japanese, Mediterranean, Modern, White
A Laurus nobilis 'Angustifolia' small specimen tree in a garden.

Laurus nobilis angustifolia

Laurus nobilis angustifolia is a variety of Laurel grown for its compact growth habit and elegant foliage. This evergreen tree features lush, dark green leaves that are aromatic when crushed. Flowers produced in spring are pale yellow-green and result in small, glossy, black berries as it grows to 5 m tall and 4 m wide. Laurus nobilis angustifolia is ideal for trimming into a hedge, using as a screening plant, planting as a backdrop for smaller plants, maintaining in a container, shaping into a topiary, or growing as a specimen. The leaves on this variety are the well-known Bay Leaves, and can be used fresh or dry in cooking to add flavour to dishes.

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Trees
Height: 5.00 m
Spread: 4.00 m
Flowering time: Spring
Tolerances: Coastal, Hardy
Garden uses: Containers, Culinary, Hedging, Living areas, Parks, Pool areas, Screening, Specimen, Topiary
Garden styles: Alpine, Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Cottage, Formal, Frontyard, Japanese, Mediterranean, Modern, White
Laurus nobilis foliage and flowers.

Laurus nobilis

Laurus nobilis is a much-loved shrub in NZ gardens. It is most commonly grown as a specimen, used as a hedge (both trimmed and untrimmed), added to a...

From$33.68
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Castanospermum australe (Moreton Bay Chestnut)

Commonly known as the Moreton Bay Chestnut, this is an evergreen tree commonly grown as an indoor plant or added to subtropical gardens. It produces...

From$158.89
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Sequoiadendron giganteum (Sequoia gigantea Tree)

Sequoiadendron giganteum, commonly known as the Giant Redwood, is a large, evergreen tree and aptly named for its red coloured wood. It features...

From$299.92
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Prunus Felix Jury

Prunus Felix Jury is a variety of Flowering Cherry that features masses of large, claret-red blossoms in spring which are held as pendulous clusters...

From$432.79
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Acer platanoides Princeton Gold (Princeton Gold Maple Tree)

Acer platanoides Princeton Gold is a variety of the commonly known, Plane-Leaved Maple, and is a medium sized tree with fantastic foliage. The leaves...

From$391.14
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Sorbus aucuparia Scarlet King (Rowan Tree NZ)

Sorbus aucuparia Scarlet King is a variety of the commonly known, Mountain Ash, and is a small-sized, deciduous with impressive characteristics...

From$343.89
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Prunus Amanogawa

Prunus Amanogawa is a variety of Flowering Cherry that features masses of pale-pink flowers through spring. The mildly fragrant, semi-double flowers...

From$343.89
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Prunus Awanui

Prunus Awanui is a variety of Flowering Cherry that features masses of fragrant, pink flowers through spring. This deciduous tree grows with a vase...

From$343.89
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Cedrela sinensis Flamingo (Toon Tree)

Cedrela sinensis Flamingo is a highly colourful, deciduous tree featuring bright, salmon-pink foliage in spring which ages to cream-yellow, and then...

From$28.28
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Michelia Princess Isabella

Michelia Princess Isabella is a handsome tree that carries glossy, green leaves which are very aesthetic in their own right. Velvet buds open through...

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Prunus Accolade

Prunus Accolade is a variety of Flowering Cherry that features masses of semi-double flowers. The frilly and pink blooms are borne in clusters...

From$299.92
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Melia azedarach (Bead Tree)

Melia azedarach, commonly known as Bead Tree, White Cedar or Persian Lilac, is a fast-growing deciduous tree admired for its feathery foliage and...

From$343.89
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Michelia Allure

Michelia Allure is a classy, evergreen tree grown for both its foliage and flowers. It carries glossy, dark green leaves which are attractive in...

From$432.79
A Michelia 'Velvet and Cream' tree with masses of cream-white flowers amidst glossy green foliage.

Michelia Velvet and Cream

Michelia 'Velvet and Cream' is a compact, evergreen tree admired for its glossy, dark green foliage and fragrant, creamy white flowers that bloom...

From$33.68
Michelia 'Fairy Blush' flowers tinged with pink amidst lush, dark green foliage.

Michelia 'Fairy Blush'

Michelia 'Fairy Blush' is a compact, evergreen tree admired for its glossy, dark green foliage and fragrant, lilac-pink flowers that bloom from late...

From$33.68
Michelia 'Inspiration' white flowers and dark green foliage.

Michelia Inspiration

Michelia 'Inspiration' is a compact evergreen tree admired for its glossy dark green foliage and fragrant white flowers that bloom from late winter...

From$33.68
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Michelia Touch of Pink

Michelia 'Touch of Pink' is a compact evergreen tree admired for its glossy dark green foliage and fragrant cream-white flowers tinged with pink that...

From$432.79
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Ulmus Lobel (Dutch Elm Tree)

Ulmus Lobel is a variety of Dutch Elm tree grown for its colourful foliage and narrow form. The leaves emerge a fresh green colour in spring, age to...

From$343.89
Dacrydium cupressinum (Rimu) tree juvenile foliage.

Dacrydium cupressinum (Rimu Tree)

Dacrydium cupressinum, commonly known as Rimu or Red Pine, is an iconic and slow-growing tree. The juvenile form features drooping branches densely...

From$97.13
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Schinus molle (California Pepper Tree)

Schinus molle, commonly known as the California Pepper Tree, is an evergreen tree grown for its attractive form and foliage. The leaves are bright...

From$299.92
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Michelia Coco

Michelia Coco forms a small, shapely tree and carries large, glossy green leaves which are attractive in their own right. Velvet buds are borne...

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A large Beilschmiedia tawa (Tawa tree).

Beilschmiedia tawa (Tawa Tree)

Beilschmiedia tawa, commonly known as the Tawa Tree, is a tall and graceful evergreen native to New Zealand. It is admired for its straight trunk...

From$277.74
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Magnolia JC Williams (Magnolia Tree JC Williams)

Magnolia JC Williams bears masses of large and showy, rose-purple flowers through late winter and early spring. These are borne on the naked stems...

From$343.89
Liriodendron tulipifera 'Fastigiata' trees with yellow foliage in autumn.

Liriodendron tulipifera 'Fastigiata' (Tulip Tree)

Liriodendron tulipifera fastigiata, also known as the Upright Tulip Tree, is a stunning deciduous tree admired for its narrow, columnar form. It...

From$432.79
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Magnolia Margaret Helen (Magnolia Tree Margaret Helen)

Magnolia Margaret Helen is a deciduous tree that bears masses of large and showy, rose-pink flowers through late winter and early spring. These are...

From$343.89
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Magnolia liliiflora Nigra (Magnolia Tree Nigra)

Magnolia liliiflora Nigra, commonly known as Black Lily, is a stunning tree that bears masses of large and showy, purple flowers from late winter...

From$299.92
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Magnolia Amethyst Flame (Amethyst Flame Magnolia Tree)

Magnolia Amethyst Flame is a smaller tree that bears masses of large and showy, bright red-purple flowers in late winter and early spring on the...

From$299.92
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Schefflera arboricola (Dwarf Umbrella Tree)

The Schefflera arboricola plant, commonly known as the Dwarf Umbrella Tree, is an evergreen shrub commonly grown as a houseplant. The foliage is mid...

From$26.93
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Tree Fertiliser (Tree Fertiliser)

Using tree fertiliser results in plants having better quality foliage, more profuse flowering, stronger stems, and a much healthier and brighter...

From$12.50
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Magnolia Deryk (Magnolia Tree Deryk)

Magnolia Deryk is a deciduous tree that bears masses of large and showy, dark red-purple flowers from late winter until early spring. The flowers are...

From$343.89
Laurus nobilis Pride of Provence

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Acer, Beilschmiedia, Castanospermum, Cedrela, Dacrydium, Laurus, Liriodendron, Magnolia, Melia, Michelia, Prunus, Schefflera, Schinus, Sequoiadendron Sorbus and Ulmus, or related Categories - General Garden Fertiliser, Indoor Plants, Deciduous Shrubs, Evergreen Shrubs, Deciduous Trees, Evergreen Trees, Flowering Cherry Tree Magnolia Trees and Maple Tree.

Search standard bay tree

Why Choose a Standard Bay Tree for Your Garden?

The standard bay tree (Laurus nobilis) is a timeless favourite for its versatility and reliability. Its evergreen leaves stay lush and green throughout the year, requiring minimal maintenance. Standard bay trees thrive in containers or garden beds, adapting well to New Zealand climates. Their compact topiary style makes them perfect for formal gardens, patio features, or flanking entrances. You can regularly harvest the aromatic leaves for traditional culinary use, adding a homegrown flavour to casseroles, soups, and stews.

Care and Growing Tips for Standard Bay Tree

Looking after a standard bay tree is straightforward. They prefer a sunny to part-shaded position with well-draining soil. If growing in a pot, use a quality container mix and water consistently but allow the surface to dry between watering. Prune your standard bay tree lightly to keep its rounded shape and remove any suckers at the base. Feed with a slow-release fertiliser in spring to encourage healthy growth and foliage.

In cold regions, protect your bay tree from heavy frosts or strong winds, and consider moving potted specimens to a sheltered spot during winter. With care, your standard bay tree can live and thrive for decades.

Companion Choices and Varieties

Expand your Mediterranean-inspired garden or edible border by exploring related plants and bay tree varieties. For a wider selection, consider the striking golden-splashed foliage of Laurus Bay Gold, or the narrow-leaved Laurus nobilis angustifolia, ideal for a refined or compact setting. The robust Laurus nobilis Pride of Provence delivers reliable performance and aromatic leaves, while the classic Laurus nobilis is the true laurel behind every quality bay tree.

If you're seeking another evergreen with architectural flair, Callitris rhomboidea (Oyster Bay Pine) offers a unique New Zealand native alternative for hedging or screening projects.

Transform Your Space With a Standard Bay Tree

Whether you're aiming to create a formal garden, add year-round colour to your courtyard, or simply want a kitchen staple within arm's reach, the standard bay tree is an enduring, low-maintenance option. Explore our range and discover how a standard bay tree can transform your outdoor living space with structure, elegance, and culinary possibilities.


Contact us

Whether you need assistance finding the plant you’re looking for or you simply want to know more about who we are and what we do, we invite you to get in touch with us today. A member of The Plant Company team will get back in touch as soon as possible.

Everyone knows classic varieties like Lomandra 'Tanika' and Lomandra Frosty Tops, but you might just fall in love with Escallonia 'Red Knight', Hebe Sunset Boulevard, and Kniphofia Dwarf Orange (Torchlily).
–The Plant Company

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