I ordered a number of 15g multi-trunk Laurus nobilis shrubs from a local nursery, and since I couldn't transport them all, just had them pick them out and deliver them. I didn't notice until the next day that there appears to be two different types. They're both labeled Laurus nobilis / Grecian Laurel / Sweet Bay, but the differences line up with different grower labels. I'm assuming one is a cultivar, but don't know which. Any insights are much appreciated. These were purchased in Sacramento, California, USA.

Number 1 (flower buds, thinner leaves, green branches):





Number 2 (no buds, wider leaves, more upright growth, purple-ish branches):




Thanks in advance for any help you can offer!!

Seth

https://garden.org/plants/sear...
Try comparing to these

Calsurf73 said:https://garden.org/plants/search/text/?q=Laurus+nobilis
Try comparing to these

Unfortunately, I don't seen an obvious match with any of those (other than Number 1 matching the non-cultivar version).

Photo #1 looks more like the California Bay, Umbellularia californica, due to the narrow lance-shaped leaves and placement of the buds. Umbellularia has a stronger fragrance than the Laurus nobilus so compare leaf fragrance of #1 with #3. If #1 is much stronger then you may want to consider this possibility.

KellyFW said:Photo #1 looks more like the California Bay, Umbellularia californica, due to the narrow lance-shaped leaves and placement of the buds. Umbellularia has a stronger fragrance than the Laurus nobilus so compare leaf fragrance of #1 with #3. If #1 is much stronger then you may want to consider this possibility.

Thanks, Kelly. #2 actually has the stronger aroma. Oddly enough, a neighbor had a tree delivered from another local nursery that we've ordered from a lot. They were kind enough to take a look and give me their thoughts.

Her theory is that the darker branches (#2) are actually younger plants, and that color is common for younger Laurus nobilis. The older, greener branches are from older plants that were pruned in order for them to fill out more. This seems consistent with the shapes of the plants, as well as cuts that I'm now seeing on #1.

It *may* also explain the lack of buds on #2 if younger plants don't bud, but I'm definitely speculating here.

Laurus nobilis and Umbellularia californica both have similar buds/flowers, so that probably won't help.

I'm going to proceed with the idea that they are the same plant and will eventually all look the same. But I guess we'll know for sure this summer if one of them starts fruiting, which only the Umbellularia californica does.

Further confirmation from two people at the nursery itself:

"The photos show they are all Grecian Laurel. Growers have different methods of pruning and fertilizer so that is why there is some differences when the plants are in the nursery. Eventually the plants should become similar when the plants get acclimated to their growing environment and have the same growing conditions."

"My buyer took a look at the pictures and said it most likely due to the fact that the two trees were grown in different areas of California, which can lead to different coloring. I would recommend waiting so they can acclimate to our weather, but in short -- yes, they are the same tree."