Laurus nobilis

I have a bay laurel tree growing in a large pot on the front patio. It makes a nice ornamental plant because it's evergreen and requires little care. But the real reason I bought it was to have the leaves for culinary use. Every so often I pick a bunch and press them under a stack of books (between paper towels) a few days until they're dried. The tree has paid for itself many times over (store bought bay leaves can get expensive!).