Southern California's Best Native Plants: Rollcall- CA Bay Laurel (Share Yours!)
Hello Friends,
My personal favorite native plant is CA Bay Laurel (Umbellularia californica). To those who may believe it grows only in Northern Cal-Sorry to disappoint you. Take a walk in the Santa Monica Mountains-ie. Try Solstice Canyon and Corral Canyon- there are some nice stands there. Or if you’re on the eastside try the “Red Box” turnoff of Hwy 2. California bay smells wonderful and you can use a leaf to season some tasty dishes. You will use about 1/3 the amount of bay leaf called for in recipes, as our native bay laurel is more potent.
In the garden you can use it as a specimen or as an evergreen hedge. Replace your poisonous oleander. Your Kids and pets will thank you for keeping them safe.
Remember CA Bay can tolerate shade so its versatile and low maintenance. It will grow fairly large, about 20-30′h x 20′w, but it will take a while.
That’s one of my favorites, what’s yours?
-Steve
