Bay tree on N. Vancouver Island?

I'll be retiring to an island off the northeast coast of Vancouver island where I started gardening as a child. I would like to grow a bay tree in my herb garden but suspect that it would be marginally hardy. I'd appreciate advice on placement, soil, etc. that would increase my chances of success. I've seen several growing quite happily here in the Lower Mainland.

 

No problem, it should be fully hardy there.

 

These burn periodically in Seattle area, so will not be fully hardy in Vancouver and part of Vancouver Island that get as cold or colder than Vancouver. All plants have a minimum temperature and whenever it falls below that they are damaged. Some Laurus nobilis I have been growing here on Camano Island are now quite dehydrated after this past, not especially cold winter. 16F was observed on the porch. At the Edmonds garden and other Seattle area locations there was no problem.

 

I would think northern Vancouver Island is less prone to severe cold than Vancouver City or Seattle - the Coast Range mountains east of northern Vancouver Island are higher, making it less easy for arctic Canadian air to reach there. Vancouver and Seattle are much more in the firing line of cold air pouring down the Fraser Valley.

 

I've stood in stands of Pacific silver fir and Nootka cypress on the BC mainland well south of the northeast coast of Vancouver Island and looked down at the Strait of Georgia, seemingly at our feet.

We're not in the "firing line" of the Fraser outflow down here:

"Northeasters roar down the Fraser River Valley, spilling over Bellingham and the San Juan Islands all the way to Sequim and dropping temperatures 20 degrees in a few hours, which can kill otherwise hardy plants."

--Sunset WESTERN GARDEN BOOK

 

Could you make it movable....in a pot...

I have to admit mine is a tree and part of a hedge complex. They do like being sniped so maybe a topiary type pot of bay leaf. Bit of info below about planting in cold areas.

http://www.gardenaction.co.uk/fruit_veg_diary/fruit_veg_mini_project_september_3_bay.asp

Liz

 

I live in the full blast of the Fraser Valley winds, and have an old bay tree planted on the south wall of my sunroom. Yes, there is definitely leaf burn this year, but it is already pushing new buds (and I needed to cut it down a bit, anyway). Being against a south facing sunroom creates a bit of a microclimate, and the house shields it from the worst of the NE winds, but even if you have to replant every 15 years or so, it is worth it to have fresh bay leaves for cooking.

 

Thanks for all the advice and encouragement. I realized after posting that I can probably grow it in a container and put it in my unheated greenhouse in the winter, mainly to protect it from the very severe winter winds we get. I know that we don't get any colder than the LowerMainland and read that it is hardy to -7 Celsius which surprised me.

 

I've seen them come through -12°C with no damage other than a few scorched leaf edges.

 

Michael, thanks. I feel confident about planting it outside. I have SW exposure for my garden so will get sun when there is sun; after all, I am on the "Wet" Coast of Canada.

 

The only problems mine encounters is summer drought. If it goes un-noticed browning develops on the leaves.

Cheers, LPN.

 

Thanks, LPN. We've had summer droughts recently haven't we--even the north island was very dry last summer.

 

I'm surprised if it suffers from drought - after all, it is native to the Mediterranean, where it gets 4-5 months or more with guaranteed no rain.

 

Yes: drought problems on established plants in local climate unexpected. Maybe soil for that one is more droughty (coarse) than species is adapted to.

Seattle has specimens approaching or exceeding 50 ft. Despite implication of thriving this contains repeat episodes of frost burning, even dieback part of their history. Has been said to be subject to damage even in native area, as is coast silktassel (Garrya elliptica).

Seedlings may vary in hardiness, as do gum (Eucalyptus) seedlings. I wouldn't count on one or two of the rather low minimums claimed here being dependable expectations for other specimens.

 

Winters may not be too troublesome for bay on northeastern Vancouver Island, but the summers might be too cool and cloudy. Places such as Port Hardy and Sointula get much less sunshine and fewer hot spells than populated areas farther south.


-Tony

 

Hi Tony,

It doesn't have a very high summer heat requirement - growth is very good in northern Britain where summers are even cooler.