Gardening news

In love with the Bay tree


John William Waterhouse, Apollo and Daphne - 1908

The evergreen Bay tree is not just a beautiful, aromatic and useful tree but is also a powerful symbol of victory, merit, eternity and immortality. The humble laurel leaves are depicted on numerous paintings together with Greek Gods, Roman Emperors and baby Jesus.

Already the ancient Greeks awarded wreaths of bay laurel to victors at the Pythian Games, the original Olympic Games. The Pythian Games were held in honour of the Greek God Apollo who wore a wreath of bay leaves from the bay tree which his beloved Daphne had been turned into.

Eros (Cupid) had shot Apollo with an arrow dipped in an aphrodisiac and shot Daphne a Naiad nymph with an arrow poisoned so she could not love. Just when Apollo was about to catch Daphne she begged to be saved from his love and was turned into a bay tree by Gaia the Goddess of the earth.

The Romans thought that Bay leaves gave protection from lightning and decease. The Emperor Tiberius was said to be very scared of thunderstorms and hence always wore a laurel wreath. In the Middle Ages Bay trees were thought to protect from evil and witch craft. Even in Britain today Bay trees are among the most popular trees to plant in pots next to an entrance. It's easy to understand why, as you can both use the leaves in cooking and as an extra insurance against lightning and evil spirits!



7th January 2011

Gardeners' World Magazine October 2011

Terrace Gardener's Faux Lead Chelsea Planters feature in Gardeners' World Magazine.

Pots of colour to brighten your bleak midwinter, Daily Mail online 21st January 2010

Terrace Gardener's pots and planters are mentioned in Daily Mail online. "Good-quality terracotta is perfect for a formal, classic space, while galvanised steel cubes, cylinders or conical pots look good in a contemporary garden..."