Persea borbonia

Common Names

Red Bay, Swamp Bay, Sweet Bay, Silk Bay, Shorebay, Laurel Tree, Red Bay Persea, Loblolly Bay

Summary

Persea borbonia, commonly known as Redbay, is an evergreen tree native to the southeastern United States, it typically grows to 30–50 feet tall with a dense, rounded crown and glossy, leathery leaves 2–6 inches long that emit a spicy fragrance when crushed, spring flowers are small and yellow-green, followed by blue or blue-black drupes that persist into fall and are eaten by birds and squirrels, and the plant also serves as a larval host for Palamedes swallowtail butterflies, underscoring its ecological role, it tolerates full sun to partial shade and a wide range of soils, including moist to well-drained conditions, with a pH range of 5.0–7.0 and tolerance of salt spray, drought tolerance increases once established, propagation is by seed, with germination occurring after several months, fruit litter can occur and wood is brittle, with wind damage a potential concern, so pruning to maintain structure is advised, common landscape uses include specimen or accent trees, shade, coastal plantings, reclamation, and wildlife habitat plantings, laurel wilt disease and related pests threaten populations, so disease-resistant cultivars when available are preferred and reputable sources should be used for planting material

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

360-600 inches

Spread

30-50 feet

Hardiness Zones

Zones 7-11

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally full sun to partial shade.

Soil Type

Well-drained, moist soil

Soil Drainage

Well-drained soils

Soil pH

5.0-6.7, No single ideal pH specified, Tolerates acidic to alkaline soils

Bloom Color

Insignificant

Bloom Time

Spring

Foliage Color

Dark green upper surface with pale green underneath.

Fall Foliage Color

No fall color change; evergreen leaves stay green year-round.

Leaf Lifecycle

Evergreen broadleaf

Growth Rate

Moderate growth rate; growth varies by site.

Seasons of Interest

All four seasons

Propagation Methods

Seeds, Cuttings, Layering

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts bees, butterflies, and birds