Bay trees have had significance throughout history, particularly in Greek legend, where bay leaves were used to create wreaths given to honour heroes. In ancient Rome, Bay stems were woven into crowns for dignitaries, including the Emperor. Laurus nobilis, perhaps better known as bay or bay laurel, is a hardy, evergreen shrub that is loved as much for the wonderful flavour the leaves add to recipes as for its appearance in the garden.

Growing a tree in a pot is a bit like having a pet, as your tree will depend on you for its care. Regular watering, feeding and pruning will keep potted trees in tip-top shape and, unlike a dog, at least won’t have to worry about taking it on walks! Here are some of the key points to bear in mind when caring for trees in pots: A cold snap can do much damage to many plants but especially the Mediterranean varieties. Bay trees can be pretty hardy when it comes to being in our UK gardens but beware of weather dropping below 5 degrees and try to protect your trees from any frost. Nitrogen Deficiency It has romantic associations and is often given as a Wedding or Valentine’s gift. ‘To ensure love will last, the couple should break off a twig and break it in two, each keeping a half.

Tips for caring for potted trees

Add a touch of Mediterranean glamour to your garden with a potted olive tree. These silver-leaved evergreens are slow-growing and work well in containers. Over time they will develop into real characters with gnarly grey bark and contorted trunks. Choose a compact variety, and an occasional light prune will be enough to keep it in shape. Place in a sunny spot and use a well-drained loam-based compost such as John Innes No. 3. Best evergreen trees in pots

In the short term, underwatering will be much less harmful than overwatering, so always be modest with the watering can! With their lush foliage and succulent fruits, fig trees bring added value to any garden. They naturally perform better when their roots are restricted, but even so, varieties such as ‘ Brown Turkey’ can become very large. Enter ‘ Little Miss Figgy’, a self-fertile dwarf fig variety that won’t exceed 2 metres in height and spread. This petite fig tree is ideal for containers and will produce generous crops of sweet, burgundy-coloured fruit. Position against a south-facing wall and protect with horticultural fleece in winter. 10. Lemon Bays can be very expensive in garden centres, with similar products selling for over 50 poundseach, so this fantastic offer is unbelievable value! After this first repotting your tree will need to be repotted every few years as it continues to grow and deplete the nutrients in the potting soil. If the tree is too large to re-pot, you could refresh the potting soil by replacing up to 50% of the old soil with fresh. Given the right conditions, it’s technically possible to grow any tree, regardless of size, in a pot. The Japanese arts of bonsai and cloud pruning are the best-known and perhaps most effective ways of accomplishing this (Bonsai literally translates as ‘planted in a container’). Here are a couple of large trees that can be grown as bonsai or cloud pruned. 14. Yew

Best fruit trees in pots

Hardiness: Mostly Hardy, can withstand temperatures down to -5°C. Bay trees may need extra protection from frost in winter, especially younger plants. Watering: Water regularly with well-drained soil during the growing season. Don't allow roots to stand in water. Less water is required in the winter months, but don't allow the tree to dry out.