trefle.io · Taken Mar 29, 2022 by Maarten Vanhove (cc-by-sa)
Lauraceae
Swamp bay
Persea palustris
Also known as Persea palustris f. laevifolia, Persea borbonia f. pubescens, Persea pubescens, Laurus carolinensis var. pubescens
Tropical Plants · Flowering Plants · Native Plants · Trees & Shrubs · Swamp Bay · Native Tree · Wetland Tree · Evergreen · Southeastern Native · Aromatic Foliage · Bay Tree · Lauraceae · Coastal Plain · Rain Garden
Swamp bay is a handsome native evergreen tree naturally found in coastal wetlands, pocosins, and bay swamps of the southeastern United States. It thrives in consistently wet, acidic soils and partial shade, making it an excellent choice for rain gardens, pond margins, or low-lying areas where other trees struggle. Its aromatic leaves and small yellow-green flowers add subtle year-round interest to naturalized landscapes.
Growing conditions
The details behind the basics
- Daily light
- 4 hours
- Watering
- Keep soil consistently moist; does not tolerate prolonged drought and prefers wet or boggy conditions · Every 7-10 days
- Maintenance
- Moderate
- Soil
- loam
- Soil pH
- 5–7
- Temperature
- 50°F to 95°F
- Cycle
- Perennial
- Propagation
- Seed
Hardiness
USDA 10a-12b
Form & growth
Mature size and habit
- Mature height
- 10 ft – 30 ft
- Spread
- 15 ft
- Spacing
- 120 in apart
- Growth rate
- Moderate
- Root depth
- Medium
- Flowers
- Mixed
- Foliage
- Green · Coarse
Ecology & origin
Where it belongs and what it brings
- Native to
- Alabama, Bahamas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia
- Attracts
- Bees, Birds
Sources: trefle
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