Little Ragu® Sweet Bay

Size

Little Ragu® Sweet Bay packs true culinary bay flavor into a compact evergreen that suits patios, herb gardens, formal entries, and small-space landscapes. Its deep green, aromatic foliage emerges on red-tinged stems. The dried leaves season soups, sauces, stews, and braises with that classic Mediterranean note, though they should be removed before serving. Laurus nobilis 'MonRik' can be clipped into a hedge or topiary, trained as a patio tree, or grown naturally as an upright shrub reaching about 8 feet tall and 6 to 8 feet wide. Our favorite use is in a container near the kitchen door, so harvesting a leaf for dinner is easy.Little Ragu® Sweet Bay CarePlant Little Ragu® Sweet Bay in full sun to partial shade, using enriched, well-drained soil with a slightly acidic to slightly alkaline pH. Avoid soggy soil since bay laurel is more tolerant of moderate drought than wet roots. Dig a hole as deep as the root ball and about twice as wide, set the plant level with the surrounding soil, then water deeply to settle the roots. Space plants 5 to 8 feet apart for individual specimens, or closer at 3 to 4 feet for a clipped hedge, depending on how quickly you want coverage.Prune lightly to shape at nearly any time, with the main shaping best done in spring. Keep it clipped as a neat cone or let it grow naturally for an elegant, evergreen accent.Growing Little Ragu® Sweet BayBay leaves may be harvested once the plant has enough foliage to spare, usually after it has settled in and started producing new growth. Pick mature leaves as needed, then dry them in a single layer until crisp before storing them in an airtight jar away from heat and light. Inconspicuous yellow flowers may appear, but this plant is grown mostly for its aromatic evergreen foliage rather than fruit. A bit of history for the herb garden: bay laurel leaves were woven into ancient Greek and Roman victory crowns, which is why laureate still connects to honor and achievement.Growing Little Ragu® Sweet Bay in ContainersChoose a container at least 14 to 16 inches wide for a young Little Ragu® Sweet Bay, and move up in size as the root system fills the pot. Use a high-quality potting mix with sharp drainage. Make sure the container has open drain holes and use pot feet or a riser. Repot every 2 to 3 years in spring, or refresh the top few inches of mix if the plant is already in a large decorative pot.In colder climates, move container plants into a bright, protected spot before hard freezes, since roots in pots are less insulated than roots in the ground. Set the plant 12 feet from a south or west window and rotate monthly for even growth.Watering Little Ragu® Sweet BayWater Little Ragu® deeply and regularly during the first growing season, allowing excess water to drain away. Reduce watering frequency once established so the soil dries slightly between waterings. Wilting young growth can signal dehydration.Feeding Little Ragu® Sweet BayFeed once in early spring as new growth begins, using a balanced slow-release fertilizer or an organic tree and shrub fertilizer. Container plants may benefit from a second light feeding in midsummer to support steady foliage and repeated harvests.