Banana Shrub

Michelia figo Syn. Magnolia figo

Plant Details

USDA Plant Hardiness Zones: 7a–11 Find Your Zone

Plant Type: Evergreen Flowering Shrub or Small Tree

Height at Maturity: 10-15′

Width at Maturity: 10-15′

Spacing: 8-10′ for solid hedges; 20′ for space between plants

Growth Habit / Form: Broad, Bushy, Upright, Vase/Fountain Shape

Growth Rate: Fast

Flower Color: Butter Yellow

Flower Size: 1″

Flowering Period: Late Spring, sporadically in Summer in warmer climates

Flower Type: Single

Fragrant Flowers: Yes, smells just like a banana popsicle!

Foliage Color: Dark Green

Fragrant Foliage: No

Berries: No

Berry Color: NA

Sun Needs: Sun or Part Shade. Please Note: 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.

Water Needs: Average, low when established

Soil Type: Clay (Amended), Loam, Sandy, Silty

Soil Moisture / Drainage: Well Drained Moist

Soil pH: 6.0 – 6.5 (Moderately Acid to Slightly Acid)

Maintenance / Care: Low

Attracts: Visual Attention

Resistances: Deer – more info, Disease, Drought, Heat

Description

Featuring flowers that smell just like a banana popsicle, the Banana Shrub, also known as the Port Wine Magnolia, is an an attractive evergreen large shrub or small tree that’s been around the United States since the late 1700’s. The 1-inch magnolia-like flowers are produced in abundance in late spring and sometimes sporadically during summer in warmer climates. The oblong, glossy, evergreen, green leaves are attractive year round. Originally from China, this magnificent plant is one of the classic evergreens of the Old South.

Landscape & Garden Uses

The 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 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 7a, 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.

Growing Preferences

The Banana Shrub prefers a moist but well-drained acidic soil with plenty of organic matter. 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.

Plant Long & Prosper!

Meet The Wilson Brothers & Staff

Questions? Contact Us

I purchased this for a dear friend for her 65th birthday. She told me about the one that grew at her childhood home and as a child she loved the banana smell of the flowers. I have never received a mail order specimen that was as stunning as this girl, chest high and full of blooms. This gift blew her away. I am so happy that I stumbled upon your website.—————————————Wow!! We are so glad you are pleased and we hope your friend enjoys it for years to come! Thanks for the kind words and great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

One gallon banana shrub delivered in excellent condition very healthy and larger than anticipated————————————————We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! Thanks for the kind words and great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

I received my plant this morning, it is a beautiful, healthy plant. The packaging is amazing
And keeps the plant from getting damaged. I am very happy with my purchase.——————————————————————We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! Thanks for the kind words and great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

OUTSTANDING!! Everything went perfect. Plants are shipped and packed well. I would definitely buy from again.———————————————————–We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy them for years to come! Thanks for the kind words and great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

I have planted a couple of tea olive trees a year ago, and they are doing fine. Looking forward to the magnificent scent, which is why I got this banana shrub. It is the centerpiece of a colorful garden that is gradually establishing itself. I am retired and have no need for an instant garden, so I cast seeds and hope the Georgia weather graces the yard with enough rain for the plants to settle into their new home.
I can’t really say much about the plant, except that it came in good condition and was ready to be put into the ground. I also have some wild chamomile that purportedly smells of pineapple. These seeds will be cast near the shrub, and hopefully one day I will wake to the smell of a freshly made pina colada.————————————————–We are so glad you are pleased with your purchase! Thanks for the great review! Beth | WBG 🙂

Plants arrived in good condition. I have wanted one of these for a long time. Thank you for fast delivery and healthy plants.——————————————————We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! Thanks for the great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

Love this tree. Came packed well and in excellent condition.——————————————We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! Thanks for the great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

Awesome tree makes my yard looks awesome.———————————————————
We are so glad you are pleased with your purchase! Thanks for the great review! Beth | WBG 🙂

Plant arrived in excellent condition. It was well packed and had no damage during the shipping process. A very healthy plant that has new growth appearing. Thank you, I will definitely buy from you again in the future.——————————–Thanks for the photo, it’s beautiful. We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! Thanks for the kind words and great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

I have to admit that I am really impressed with the M. figo received from Wilson Bros. It arrived quickly, was very big and full of blossoms. I will give Wilson Bros first consideration when needing more plants.————————————–We are so glad you are pleased with your purchase! Thanks for the kind words and great review! Beth | WBG 🙂

These shrubs are so hard to find! Was so excited to know you guys have them. My husband and I have had these at all five of our homes throughout our 48 years. We first found them on a trip to Florida . It’s been a challenge to now place two in our retirement home yard. The plants were perfect on arrival and one already had buds ready to bloom. We also got several other trees from you and were very impressed with the way they were packed and in excellent condition. I’ve already recommended you guys to a family member who is also an avid gardener. Thanks for making my yard/garden a beautiful part of my home.————————————–We are so glad you are pleased with your purchase! Thanks so much for the kind words and awesome review! Beth | WBG 🙂

Extremely pleased!!! Very well packaged. Healthy plant. Some items need to be clearly marked.——————————-Very sorry if the plants were not clearly marked….so glad you are pleased with your purchase! Thanks for the great review! Beth | WBG 🙂

I bought one of these a couple of years ago, but was very disappointed because it arrived with a very loose, sparse root system. Try as I might, the plant failed, dropping its leaves almost immediately and then died. However this plant arrived last week with a well organized and solid root system with deep green leaves that appear to be very healthy. I am really looking forward to not only seeing but smelling the fragrance of the flowers of this shrub, which is why I was so disappointed the first time. Living in NY, I must grow this in a tub, so I do hope that it will do well and prosper. I have already transplanted it and so far, MINIMAL leaf drop. I hope to over-winter it in my garage, near a window where the temperature usually stays in the low fifties or around fifty. So I know that at least I started off with a healthy plant this time, and if it doesn’t make it, the fault will have to be all mine. If I do get any flowers next spring, I will let you know!——————————-We are so glad you are pleased with your purchase! Thanks so much! Beth | WBG 🙂

The shrub arrived healthy and packaged well. It’s thriving and loves the heat and humidity of zone 8.———————————-We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! Thanks for the great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

The shrub arrived packaged securely but only had a few leaves. I noticed several green buds for leaves so I felt confident that the plant will do just fine. I ordered this as a gift for my sister. Our deceased brother had this plant in his yard and the smell fills the whole yard. I always point people to this shrub for their gardens.————————————We are glad you are pleased! Beth | WBG

I couldn’t be happier with this purchase. The healthy shrub that was sent arrived on time, was packaged perfectly and was actually larger than what I had ordered/paid for. I put the plant in the ground the next day and it appears to be happy. I lost just 1 leaf. Other buds have since pushed out nicely. I would not hesitate to order from this supplier in the future.———————————————-Hi Vanessa, Thanks so much for taking the time to provide your review of the Banana Shrub. We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! Thanks for the wonderful review!! 🙂
Beth Steele | Wilson Bros Gardens

I had never heard of this plant before, and I can’t wait until the shrub gets large enough to flower.
The folks at this nursery responded to my order quickly and shipped a very healthy looking plant. Very pleased!———————————–Hi Pat, Thanks so much for taking the time to provide your review of the Banana Shrub. We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! Thanks for the kind words!
Beth Steele | Wilson Bros Gardens-

6/23/19 I did an internet search for Magnolia figo (Banana Shrub) to add to my garden. After reviewing multiple websites, I located the item on Wilson Brothers Gardens website with a size and price that I had in mind. Before placing my order I had some questions, so I sent them a message via their website. I received a very prompt response from Spencer Young, and placed my order on 6/12/19, with a requested ship date of 6/17/19. My order shipped via UPS Ground on 6/17/19 and I received it on 6/19/19. The packaging was done professionally and the shrub came out of the carton looking like I had carried it home from their nursery. I am very pleased with all aspects of ordering from Wilson Brothers Gardens – communications, plant quality, packaging and timely shipping. I highly recommend Wilson Brothers Gardens.———————————–Hi Anne, Thanks so much for taking the time to provide your review of the Banana Shrub. We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! Thanks so much for the great review!!!
Beth Steele | Wilson Bros Gardens