If you grow bay as a houseplant, they like a well-drained mix (most herbs are like this). Also, remember that they really want to be TREES so if you want them to grow, put them in bigger containers than your other herbs. In the past, I couldn't figure out why my bay would not grow (pot didn't look particullary small), but when I transplanted to a bigger container, it took off. As a houseplant, overwinter in a very COOL postion. If you have a bright, unheated (but frostfree) garage or porch, they'll do fine. Reduce watering in winter and let dry. Let them go dormant in winter. Put them outside from spring till the first real frost threatens (they can handle light frost). Give as much sun as you have (all year). I grow mine outside in the ground (near the house). So, yes, my experience has been that they will overwinter in a zone 7 (especially within the microclimate of being next to a house). In this circumstance, they are evergreen, and only winter burn slightly. My guess is that they would survive a 6B winter with some protection. Though they might suffer some dieback, they would recuperate in the spring. Good luck!

I'm going to have tonnes of woodchip soon as I'm getting rid of several large African Mahoganys. I use a lot of leaves and woodchips to protect the soil during the rainy season. It more than compensates for the small amount of nitrogen draw down. The trees provided a lot of the leaves I used but their chips will last longer. In any case, I've still plenty more Mahoganys (and other trees) to keep up a good supply of leaves. And the new piles of wood chip should keep me going a number of years as well. It's important to keep that organic cycle going. (BTW Funnelweb, I finally got GW to change me back into an Australian male. Guess if you whinge enough .... "It's the squeeky wheel that gets the oil". My first squeek was back in January.)

Thank you Wombat, at least you know what I am going through, I am on a hill above the road, so a fence would be out of the question I am afraid, I think I will be dead anyway before any tree grew high enough to keep out the noise and black deisel fumes. I hope I don't ever have the experiences you have had though, it is a wonder that you have remained sane. If anyone has ever been down Tin Can Bay road, well they would know what the traffic noise is like. How very true Wombat, I feel like planting anything I can get my hands on if it would make a difference. Karn karn

I grew Rue for several years and only one year did I have caterpillars on it. So I pitched it before I read that the fragrance is a natural animal repellent. Given that attribute I wish I had a whole row of rue. But beware: it is said that the sap can be quite allergic and to be careful not to touch it. Some say it can grow in light shade, mine was in half sun here in Ohio and never really turned in to a 'sub shrub', but rather a scraggly plant. Down in your neck of the woods it may need some shade.... I don't know a thing about Soursop except that it is found in tropical climates.