JunglePlants

A larger version of the Abyssinian Banana not so well known, sometimes called Musa nepalensis or Ensete giganteum, or Ensete wilsonii. It grows in China up to 2600-8800ft, Nepal, India, Burma, and Thailand.  It has a thick, waxy and blue, solitary trunk with huge bluish leaves up to 10ft/3m long. An extremely fast growing banana given heat, but after trials it has proven not to be so hardy as the Abyssinian banana and not suitable for summer bedding without micro climate protection.

We offer and always have offered a micro propagated selected clone of maurelii that is closer to montbeliardii with its upright habit but with wider leaves. True maurelii sold by many garden centres is a squat plant with less attractive blackish colouring that seldom grows above 4ft and in our experience often goes "blind". We also see this year another form called "Tandarra Red" being offered with colouring identical to our own clone but only growing to 4ft. Our form of this superb plant has to be the king of all banana's. The one shown in the picture was grown in our front garden and stood at about 9ft tall in late July in it's second season after over wintering in a Polytunnel! Easily reaching 6ft in the first year from small plants we also supply one year old plants that will reach 8 to 10ft in the first year if grown well .The fabulous red, stained foliage is enhanced in our cool climate, turning almost completely green in tropical high temperatures. Easy and fast growing, although not hardy, it enjoys our cool summers - Will require over wintering in a greenhouse or conservatory.

We usually have a small number of Ensete superbum plants grown from seed each year. This large ornamental banana from Thailand has a bottle-shaped, blueish, waxy trunk and enormous leaves. Grows quickly and should easily be in 3 litre pots or larger by mid summer.

The Ensetes are a separate species within the Musa family with strong attractive light green stiff leaves. Ventricosum has a red midrib and a white bloom to the reverse side of the leaves.  A stunning foliage plant with much heavier and thicker leaves that withstands high winds a little better than Basjoo but not hardy enough to overwinter outside.

A hardy Banana actually from China that you can leave out all winter. This tall slender banana with bright green leaves makes a very architectural plant in the garden. It soon develops suckers to form a clump effect so reminiscent of the bananas seen in tropical countries. If you protect the main stem in winter with for example chimney liner pots in-filled with straw and covered with a suitable artifact that keeps the rain out but allowing the plant to breath, this may keep the main growing stem alive. It should then continue to grow the following spring with the plant making enough growth in our summer to possibly reach flowering size. Normally the plant would be cut down after the first frost damage and the rootstock protected with straw or bracken during winter, in spring shoots from the base exceed 6ft to 7ft by September.

Not surprisingly Musa Cavendishi Super Dwarf proved really popular with our customers last year. The chance to grow a real small fruiting banana in your conservatory or greenhouse which fruits at about 1 metre tall is not to be missed. As far as I am aware no one else in the UK is still offering this extremely desirable  variety.  This year we are supplying established 3 year old plants.

Musa sikkimensis originates from 6,000ft in the Himalayas, and is significantly larger than basjoo. Already it is proving to be more suitable than Basjoo in our tricky summer climate, more resilient to winds and continues to grow in cool weather when Basjoo almost stops. Trials over the last few years prove that it over winters outdoors successful given the same treatment. Extremely attractive with young leaves either mottled maroon or with a maroon reverse.

One of the most beautiful of all ornamental bananas with red wine stained leaves. In America often used as a pool side decoration. Not hardy at all and best grown in the greenhouse or conservatory in the UK, although I have tried it successfuly as summer bedding. As you can see Zebrina is very attractive and also quite fast growing. Topping out at 4' makes it a useful specimen to keep for a longer period, say in a conservatory, without outgrowing it's welcome! This plant will need a warm greenhouse or Conservatory for successful over wintering. The Blood Banana is exotica at its best and just has to be seen to be fully appreciated!

To Grow -- Easy ■ Moderate ■ and Challenging ■

May be ok for a dry Conservatory ♣

Hardiness - To -5°C җ To -10°C җ җ Fully Hardy җ җ җ

Needs Shady Position ☻ Sunny Position ☻ Water Loving ♥