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- Persea borbonia (Red Bay) in Raleigh area gardens
Posted by Ron (DE Zone 7a) on March 23, 2008, 12:04:34
While on my trip to NC last weekend, I ran into some rather large Red Bays (Persea borbonia). They were attractive broad-leaved evergreen trees, larger than I'd seen them before. Does anyone other than me and Joe have them in the Philly area? How large do they get and how hardy have they proved to be?
This one was at Raulston Arboretum:
Close-ups of foliage and fruit:
This one was at the NC Botantical Garden:
A larger one at NC Botanical Garden:
And this monster-sized one at NC Botanical Gardens:
- Re: Persea borbonia (Red Bay) in Raleigh area gardens
Posted by JEDZ7SJ on March 23, 2008, 12:49:50, in reply to "Persea borbonia (Red Bay) in Raleigh area gardens"
Ron. Last year while visiting South Carolina All the Red Bays appeared Dead , But last week along I-95 in Geaorgia/northern Florida all red bay we saw were just fine. My Red Bay along our drive-way is growing just fine thou they don`t like drought for they will abort most seeds/Fruit in dry summers here in S.J. - Re: Persea borbonia (Red Bay) in Raleigh area gardens
Posted by Ron (DE Zone 7a) on March 23, 2008, 21:10:47, in reply to "Re: Persea borbonia (Red Bay) in Raleigh area gardens"
How big have your Red Bays grown? And do they show any leaf burn from winter? - Re: Persea borbonia (Red Bay) in Raleigh area gardens
Posted by Steve, N.J.,7-a on March 23, 2008, 21:53:34, in reply to "Re: Persea borbonia (Red Bay) in Raleigh area gardens"
They seem to be hardy to around zero or so. I have small ones, having killed a larger one by moving it. They're fairly fast when young. - Re: Persea borbonia (Red Bay) in Raleigh area gardens
Posted by Ron (DE Zone 7a) on March 24, 2008, 6:16:39, in reply to "Re: Persea borbonia (Red Bay) in Raleigh area gardens"
"They seem to be hardy to around zero or so"
Are they hardy to zero, in terms of leaf burn? Or hardy to zero in terms of stem damage / serious dieback? - Re: Persea borbonia (Red Bay) in Raleigh area gardens
Posted by Steve B. in Florence, NJ 6B on March 24, 2008, 10:00:44, in reply to "Re: Persea borbonia (Red Bay) in Raleigh area gardens"
I have a small one that I planted just last year. It's about 3-4 ft tall, but basically a whip with a few small branches coming out at the top. It survived this Winter with no leaf burn, just a view leaves blown off by the high winds we've experienced. I know that this Winter wasn't a real test in terms of absolute minimums, but where I live there have been about three separate occasions where we didn't go above freezing for at least 48 hours. Combined with the wind and the fact that its newly planted, I think it has done well. By the way, a Gordonia I planted at the same time also came through unscathed. - Re: Persea borbonia (Red Bay) in Raleigh area gardens
Posted by Joe K on March 24, 2008, 10:33:00, in reply to "Persea borbonia (Red Bay) in Raleigh area gardens"
Ron, I'm pretty sure that one that I have growing was in for sub zero temps here, unless the siting near the wall kept it above. But I don't recall it ever having more than minor superficial leaf tip burn. But again its pretty well sited. - Re: Persea borbonia (Red Bay) in Raleigh area gardens
Posted by erk120 on March 27, 2008, 20:22:20, in reply to "Re: Persea borbonia (Red Bay) in Raleigh area gardens"
Hey there, Red bay in the in zone 7a is kind of hit or miss. I would have to say that I totally agree with Joe that properly sited it can be sucessful, but freezing winds would do it in. Don't be put off it it dies to the ground for the first couple of years. This is a close relative of the Bay Laurel and while it is an incredibly tough plant, cold is one of the things that the Laurel family will just not tolerate. Good Luck though.
- The largest Red Bay might be locally?
Posted by JEDZ7SJ on March 28, 2008, 16:30:28, in reply to "Re: Persea borbonia (Red Bay) in Raleigh area gardens"
To the best of my knowledge growing alongside of my driveway may be the largest Red Bay tree north of Chincoteague ,Va. here in Heislerville ,Cumberland County in South Jersey?It is around 20 feet tall or so with very little winter damage this winter (07-08).last summers drought was far more stressing on it.
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