Musa coccinea (Scarlet Banana)

Musa coccinea (Scarlet Banana) is a small, evergreen, palm-like perennial boasting glossy, paddle-shaped, dark green leaves, 3 ft. long (90 cm), paler underneath. Erect spirals of tubular, yellow flowers enclosed in bright scarlet bracts appear in summer and last about 2 months. They are followed by inedible, small orange-yellow fruits, 2 in. long (5 cm). The leaf sheathes overlap to form a trunk-like pseudostem. Each pseudostem has a limited lifespan. It only lives as long as it takes it to flower and produce fruit. After flowering and fruiting, the pseudostem dies, but the roots push out new shoots (banana pups) which form new pseudostems. This small banana plant has immediately drawn the interest for its showy and lasting inflorescences and its compact dimensions which easy its cultivation also in small gardens, besides rendering it suitable for the cultivation in pot. Excellent cut flowers.

• Recipient of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society.
• Grows up to 3 ft. tall (90 cm) and 5 ft. wide (150 cm).
• Performs best in full sun or part shade in humus-rich, well-drained soils. Best growth occurs with consistently moist soils that do not dry out. Banana trees do not do well in drought conditions since they need to be watered often for proper growth. Shelter from the wind to prevent the leaves from being damaged. Fertilize plants regularly during the growing season.
• Great choice for containers or Mediterranean gardens where it will proudly stand out.
• Disease free. Keep an eye out for glasshouse whitefly and mealybug.
• Propagate by seed or by potting up suckers after flowering.
• Native to Indochina.