Everblooming Banana Shrub – Michelia Figo ‘Hagiwara’ – 1 Gallon Pot

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Also known as the Port Wine Magnolia or Banana Magnolia, the Everblooming Banana Shrub, Michelia figo ‘Hagiwara’, is unique in that its 1-inch magnolia-like flowers, which smell just like a banana popsicle, are produced throughout the warm season! The oblong, glossy, evergreen, green leaves are attractive year round. Can be grown as a shrub but especially attractive when lower branches are removed to form a multi-trunk small tree. Originally from China, banana shrub was introduced to United States in late 1700s and is one of the classic evergreen shrubs of the Old South.

The Evergreen Banana Shrub can be grown as a large shrub or lower branches can be removed to form a small tree that matures to about 15 feet tall and almost as wide. It is ideal for use as a specimen, in groupings, or as an evergreen hedge in sunny to partially shaded landscape borders. That said, the Banana Shrub will grow well in either sun or shade, assuming a looser more open form when grown in a mostly shade environment. Leaves of Banana Shrub growing in direct, full sun will be a lighter shade of green. Some filtered sun or dappled shade during the mid afternoon hours in summer produces deeper green leaves, which we think is more attractive. It is also useful in home foundation plantings to frame the corners or against an large, open wall. A fine addition to the fragrance or cottage garden. Make sure to plant Banana Shrub where you can enjoy the fragrance of the flowers from up close!

Suggested Spacing:  8 to 10 feet apart for a solid hedge;  20 feet or more apart for space between plants

Note: For our customers who live and garden north of USDA Cold Hardiness Zone 7b, where the Banana Shrub is not reliably winter hardy, you’ll be happy to know it can be grown in containers that can be brought indoors during winter and place back outside when temperatures warm up in spring.

The Everblooming Banana Shrub prefers an acid, fertile, well drained soil with plenty of organic matter. It will grow well in either sun or shade, assuming a looser more open form when grown in a mostly shade environment. Leaves of Banana Shrub growing in direct, full sun will be a lighter shade of green. Some filtered sun or dappled shade during the mid afternoon hours in summer produces deeper green leaves, which we think is more attractive. Though listed as hardy in USDA Zones 7-10 the plant may suffer some damage when severe winters occur in Zone 7. It is not particularly fast growing and can be pruned after blooming, but is most impressive when allowed to grow to natural size and shape.

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