Sicilian Sunshine® Bay Laurel. This is by far the most showy cultivar of this species that one can imagine. When grown in full sun, its leaves are brilliant gold as well as having bright orange red stems. It is not as fast growing as the species, but this is made up from its outstanding ornamental value. Give it good drainage and in colder areas give it some protection from cold northwest winds. Its foliage is of a deeper gold color than the old gold-leaf cultivar 'Aurea.' Its ultimate size is thought to be 8-10 ft. Bay Laurels make outstanding container specimens, but when grown this way, one should give it some protection when temperatures drop below 20°F.
Zones 8-10
