Banana Shrub - A Classic Southern Lady

One of my favorite shrubs is blooming again in the Welcome Center Garden -- Banana Shrub (Michelia figo) -- and the fragrance is absolutely yummy.  What other word would you use to describe something that truly smelled like a banana. 

When you see the blooms you won't be surprised that it is a member of the magnolia family.  The soft, creamy yellow petals resemble a magnolia blossom but everything else about it is much more diminutive -- from its three-inch flowers to its overall 10 foot size.  Like a magnolia it won't disappoint when it comes to fragrance.  When warmed by the sun, the banana scent will waft throughout the garden.  

This native of China was brought to America in the 1700's and soon became a staple of Southern gardens -- evergreen and fragrant -- components for true "southern nights".   Its hardiness zones are 8-11 so it won't be happy in the colder parts of Georgia but I have seen it go through some tough winters so with a little protection it might work for those mountain homes.  

 

The heaviest bloom period is in the spring but it will lightly put out flowers throughout the other seasons -- and we're getting some now.  I think it is happy!!  Maybe because it has been getting regular waterings and a dose of diluted fertilizer every time I feed the plants at its base.  A full sun to partial shade lover, situated at the front edge of the Garden it is also getting just the right amount of sun throughout the day.  

 

I did say that it can grow to 6-10 feet tall and wide and our little Welcome Garden can't afford that much plant so I keep it pruned to a reasonable size.  Limbing it up at the bottom so the ferns and seasonal color will have space to grow, and keeping the top portion from poking out the eyes of visitors.

 

 

This picture shows you better what the typical growth pattern is of the flowers and leaves.  It makes such a great evergreen hedge that it is worth planting just for that reason, but oh, when it blooms!  Banana shrubs aren't real easy to find in the nurseries but if you ask they can hunt one down for you.  My friends at Thomas Orchards are always willing to help locate cool plants.  Which reminds me -- they are having their fall sale and there is still great stuff to be had.  Plant this fall to get those roots established.  In the meantime, stop by the Garden and sniff away.