Dear Sharon, bays were introduced in the bits of the UK the Romans did not conquer in 43 AD and were of course the culinary variety! Around Lullingstone Roman villa which is near us there are many specimen ones that are huge. These bear suckers that are quite easy to take out and pot with roots intact! The taste of them is superb and they do not need drying as you just crack them in half and add to your cooking! They are not bitter at all, unlike some so called modern culinary varieties!
They are of no use as standards as they bush like crazy if trimmed too much, and the leaves are far too large. I have two in pots and use them all the time as they are totally hardy, which some modern ones are not.
Neil.
+ Phoenix
