Finding California Bay Laurel
Q. I am working on a mostly native garden at our property in Mason County, WA and I am trying to locate some CA Bay Laurel trees/shrubs to plant in fairly deep shaded areas. Do you have any suggestions as where I might look for these plants? Thanks for your help, Bernie Perez - Tacoma, WA
A. I guess the key to your question is “mostly native”. California Bay Laurel (Umbellularia californica) is only found natively in California and Oregon. It does grow in the warmth of the Puget Sound, but I am doubtful any native plant nurseries will carry it since it is not native. You may find it at some of the larger garden centers in the area but there is no guarantee. I would call ahead to be sure. If you don’t need the plants to be too big you can also get them through mail order. One large grower I know in Oregon where the plants are native is Forest Farm in Williams, Oregon (http://forestfarm.com/). They grow them from seed in grow-tubes and the plants average about 6-18 inches in height.