Bay laurel Laurus nobilis Type:garden to table — culinary herbstropicals Hardiness:Zone 8 – 11 Mature Height:3-4ft Light:part to full sun (6 hours or more sun) Water:drought tolerant Foliage:green Description An aromatic evergreen tree or large shrub with shiny green foliage, this Mediterranean native is used as bay leaf for seasoning in cooking. Its common names include bay laurel and sweet bay.