Banana Shrub

Michelia figo or BANANA SHRUB ( aka Port Wine Magnolia, and Magnolia figo) is a beautiful, slow growing, drought tolerant, evergreen tree growing up to 6-10 feet tall and nearly as wide. Dense, upright open oval to rounded habit that can be severely pruned.

Michelia is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the Magnolia family. The genus includes about 50 species of evergreen trees and shrubs, native to tropical and subtropical south and southeast Asia. The Banana shrub was introduced to United States in late 1700s and is one of the classic evergreen shrubs of the old south.

The LEAVES are alternate, simple, oblong, lustrous dark green; 1.5 to 4 inches long; become yellowish in the winter.

The FLOWERS are produced In late spring through summer in clusters 0.5 to 1.5” large, cream, white or sometimes purple-streaked with a potent, sweet banana scent, cigar shaped buds measuring approximately 1 in are formed within interesting fuzzy brown bracts with each of the waxy pedals delicately outlined in dark red. Resembles a miniature version of the southern magnolia.

The WOOD is evergreen with multiple stems and much branching. Nursery specimens tend to look scraggly, but containerized plants thrive once they are liberated from their pots.

WILDLIFE: When grown as an understory plant under the canopy of taller trees the open branching structure provides excellent perches for songbirds in pursuit of prey.

Site requirements range from sunny to partial shade; well drained; acidic, sandy soil enriched with organic matter.