This is the first year I have ever grown a banana tree in my garden! I purchased this Red Abyssinian Banana online in early spring as a small potted plant. When I received it, I repotted it into a much larger pot and placed it near the small fountain/pond at the patio. It quickly outgrew the spot (and blocked the view) and we moved it into the front bed near the obelisk. It continued to grow amazingly fast and became the focal point of the entire front yard.
It’s over 8′ tall 9′ tall now and really needed to be in a much larger container. I got worried that it was getting so top-heavy that it might fall over, so we staked it with rebar and a string around the pot.
All summer, it has repeatedly unfurled enormous glossy burgundy and green leaves— the largest are four feet long and a foot wide. Not only has it been able to withstand full sun and our extremely high humidity, it has thrived, with lots of watering and feeding. I’m going to try and overwinter it (in a dormant state), and next year, I’ll plant it in the ground.
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Huge burgundy leaves in front of purple obelisk
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Botanical Name: Ensete ventricosum ‘Maurelii’
Hardiness Zones: 9a-11b, 5-9 if grown as an annual
Size: Will reach 18-20 feet tall in warm climates
Light: Full sun
Soil: Rich, fertile, well-draining
Care: Keep well watered and fertilized, cut off faded or tattered lower leaves
Fruit: Does not have edible fruit
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Wow, how fantastic! And it basically goes with a thing anywhere in the garden. Well, as long as it doesn’t block any views. That sounds like fun. Maybe something to try but you have a much longer warmer season than I do. Where are you overwintering? Are you going to let he frost kill the top first?
Hi Jim,
It grows -rapidly- and I’ll bet it would do well for you too. I’ve been reading about the way others save these plants, and yes, I think I’ll let the frost knock down the leaves, then dig up the crown and try and overwinter it in a friends cellar (same place I keep my elephant ears and dahlias). Even if it doesn’t make it, I’ll not be able to resist getting another one. :) They’re low priced enough to use as an annual, and I really wanna see how big it would get in the ground!
Oh, check out this thread on gardenweb, this guy grows bananas (although not a red one), and he’s in Zone 4 — they are huge for him too!
http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/banana/msg1022000014274.html?14
What a beautiful and unusual focal point for your garden. I have only heard of one person in my area that grows banana trees. I will be interested to know if the overwintering works out.
Thanks Lana. I have enjoyed watching it grow this year, and I -really- hope I can overwinter it. If not, I’ll get another one for sure.
I had no idea one could find those. It’s too bad it doesn’t produce fruit, huh! Love the color of the leaves.
Hi Christine,
Yes, that leaf color is gorgeous and it holds that color throughout the season. It would be cool if it also produced fruit! :)
Hi Sherry ! You have a gorgeous garden ! Up here in New York City many people are using green banana plants, elephant ears and other tropical plants to accent their gardens. Before winter, they’re uprooted and stored in cool-dark rooms until they can be replanted again in April. I’m learning how to care and maintain these wonderful tropical plants myself, before investing in them. I hope to have the same success as you and others. – Cheers !
Thanks, Anonymous. I really enjoy having the tropicals in my garden, and I’m hoping to be able to save the banana tree. Thanks for visiting. :)
Sherry
Hi, you have a gorgeous red banana plant ! I read it can produce fruit. Do you cut it off to prevent the plant from dying? – Thanks in advance!
Hi Anonymous,
thanks. Yes, we did cut it off before storing it. We let the roots/base drain into a bucket for a couple days because the trunk was so full of water. It looks like it’s alive and well so I’m hoping it will hang on til spring. :) (It won’t produce fruit here, I don’t think our growing season is long enough.) Thanks for commenting.
Sherry
[…] Red Abyssinian Banana, Ensete ventricosum ‘Maurelii’, survived being stored all winter and we brought it out in […]
I will so excited to eat red banana
Please Is there any buyers interested to buy my re banana tree I got in-stock currently from Papua New Guinea.
Thanks regards.
Kelvin Yupi
Hi thanks foor posting this