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Banana Shrub

Michelia figo

Pronunciation: my-KEE-lee-a FEE-go
SKU #06153
8-11

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LIGHT: Full sun, Partial sun
WATER: Water when top 2 inches of soil is dry.
SIZE: Slow growing to 6 to 10 ft. tall and wide.
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Description Fragrant, creamy-yellow blooms shaded with purple have a banana-like scent. Compact densely branched shrub displays narrow, glossy leaves. Use near the front of borders, so fragrance can be enjoyed.
Bloom Time All season, heaviest in spring
Deciduous/Evergreen Evergreen
Special Features Compact Form
Growth Rate Slow
Growth Habit Rounded
Flower Attributes Fragrant, Showy Flowers
Landscape Use Container, Hedge
Design Ideas Its scent rivals the highly fragrant Plumeria used in Hawaiian leis. What this shrub lacks in bright color it fully compensates for in heady fragrance. This is a big and bushy foundation plant that will grow along fence lines. Create a hedge of them for privacy and their perfume will fill the whole area. Plant near windows and doors, where its fragrance will waft indoors. A choice selection for around swimming pools and fountains. Blend other big and beautiful semitropical plants such as bronze flax, bird of paradise, and Japanese aralia, and accent with colorful spreading lantana and bougainvillea.
Flower Color Yellow
Foliage Color Green
Companion Plants New Zealand Flax (Phormium); Giant Bird Of Paradise (Strelitzia nicolai); Japanese Aralia (Fatsia japonica); Lantana (Lantana hybrids); Bougainvillea (Bougainvillea)
Care Instructions Follow a regular watering schedule during the first growing season to establish a deep, extensive root system. Feed with a general purpose fertilizer before new growth begins in spring. For a formal appearance, shear annually after flowering.
History This shrub was introduced to America in the 1700s where it became a classic evergreen of the South. This plant's genus includes about 45 Asian trees and shrubs closely related to the genus Magnolia. It was named after the Florentine botanist Peter A. Michel 1679-1737. The trees are native to a large range of western China. .
Lore The fragrance of its flowers resembling the scent of bananas led to its common name, banana shrub. Be aware that NO part of the plant is edible.
Details
DescriptionFragrant, creamy-yellow blooms shaded with purple have a banana-like scent. Compact densely branched shrub displays narrow, glossy leaves. Use near the front of borders, so fragrance can be enjoyed.
Bloom TimeAll season, heaviest in spring
Deciduous/EvergreenEvergreen
Special FeaturesCompact Form
Growth RateSlow
Growth HabitRounded
Flower AttributesFragrant, Showy Flowers
Style
Landscape UseContainer, Hedge
Design IdeasIts scent rivals the highly fragrant Plumeria used in Hawaiian leis. What this shrub lacks in bright color it fully compensates for in heady fragrance. This is a big and bushy foundation plant that will grow along fence lines. Create a hedge of them for privacy and their perfume will fill the whole area. Plant near windows and doors, where its fragrance will waft indoors. A choice selection for around swimming pools and fountains. Blend other big and beautiful semitropical plants such as bronze flax, bird of paradise, and Japanese aralia, and accent with colorful spreading lantana and bougainvillea.
Flower ColorYellow
Foliage ColorGreen
Companion PlantsNew Zealand Flax (Phormium); Giant Bird Of Paradise (Strelitzia nicolai); Japanese Aralia (Fatsia japonica); Lantana (Lantana hybrids); Bougainvillea (Bougainvillea)
Care
Care InstructionsFollow a regular watering schedule during the first growing season to establish a deep, extensive root system. Feed with a general purpose fertilizer before new growth begins in spring. For a formal appearance, shear annually after flowering.
History
HistoryThis shrub was introduced to America in the 1700s where it became a classic evergreen of the South. This plant's genus includes about 45 Asian trees and shrubs closely related to the genus Magnolia. It was named after the Florentine botanist Peter A. Michel 1679-1737. The trees are native to a large range of western China. .
LoreThe fragrance of its flowers resembling the scent of bananas led to its common name, banana shrub. Be aware that NO part of the plant is edible.

About Us

We have been pioneers and craftsmen in the art of growing plants for nearly

100 years. Since our founding in Southern California by Harry E. Rosedale, Sr.
in 1926, we have been absolutely dedicated and obsessed with quality.

We have been pioneers and craftsmen in the art of growing plants for nearly 100 years. Since our founding in Southern California by Harry E. Rosedale, Sr. in 1926, we have been absolutely dedicated and obsessed with quality.