Red Bay

Description

Botanical Name:  Persea borbonia

Common Name:  Redbay, Red Bay, Sweet Bay, Silk Bay, Red Bay Persea, Laurel Tree

Description:  Small evergreen understory tree that grows along streams and in woods and swamps in Texas. Medium green foliage, good oval to rounded form, and resistance to pests and diseases. The fragrant foliage (bay leaves) is used to flavor soups and stews. Likes sun, part sun, or part shade, slowly grows 25′ tall x 25′ wide but can grow taller, blooms creamy white flowers in spring and summer, then black/blue drupes. Attracts birds and critters and is host plant to Palamedes Swallowtail. Drought tolerant after established.

This plant in 3-gallon containers is 2-4′ tall x 1-3′ wide.

Hardiness Zones 7-9