Plant banana shrub near a home foundation where its evergreen leaves will provide color and interest year-round and its banana-scented, cream-colored flowers will be enjoyed. It is also a great plant for a mixed shrub border where it will grow alongside other shrubs, such a firebush, bay laurel, bottlebrush, and holly. Employ a mixed shrub border as a living screen. Banana shrub along with other easy-to-grow shrubs will not only mask views, but the shrubs are welcome wildlife habitats, providing food and nesting space. Check out banana shrub’s cousin, magnolia tree.
Landscaping With Banana Shrub
Banana shrub thrives in full sun or part shade. Plants grown in the sun will mature to a smaller size and have a more compact habit and their leaves will take on a yellow hue. Plants grown in light shade have medium green foliage and a slightly open, spreading habit. Banana shrub can be hard to find in the landscape nursery. It might be necessary to visit or call several nurseries to find a plant, but this easy-to-grow shrub is worth the extra effort. Nursery specimens often have open and sparse branching and limited foliage. Plants will quickly fill out once they are planted in the landscape.
Caring For Banana Shrub
Plant banana shrub in moist, well-drained, sandy soil that has been enriched with organic matter such as well-decomposed compost. Good drainage, which lets oxygen more easily reach the root zone, is so important to this shrub. It should be planted so the soil line in its nursery pot is slightly higher than the surrounding soil level. Water banana shrub regularly after planting. After it is established, it tolerates drought with ease. Banana shrub is occasionally troubled by oleander scale. Treat any scale infestation with a horticultural oil spray. Reapply the spray as necessary following label directions. Add a shrub border to your garden now. You’ll thank yourself later.
New Types of Banana Shrub
Most banana shrubs in the nursery have cream color flowers. This is an excellent plant but there is one cultivar that offers a unique flower. ‘Port Wine’ banana shrub has rose to maroon flowers—the flowers fade to cream as they age but the young maroon blossoms are striking.
