Ensete ventricosum 'Maurelii' (commonly known as the Red Abyssinian Banana or Ethiopian Black Banana) is a spectacular, fast-growing, tender perennial prized for its dramatic architectural foliage. While it resembles a true banana plant, it is grown purely for its ornamental, massive burgundy-flushed green leaves rather than edible fruit.
Sold in as root ball boxed with 3ft high foliage, great addition to a summer garden, or patio, hot bed specimen.
Ensete ventricosum 'Maurelii'
Cultivation
For banana cultivation under glass grow in loam-based potting compost (JI No.3) in full light with shade from hot sun; repot every other year, in spring. In warmer parts of the country for outdoors grow in a sheltered position in humus-rich well-drained soil in full sun
Propagation
Propagate by seed as soon as ripe at 21-24°C (70-75°F); presoak spring sown seed for 24 hours. Separate suckers in early spring, removing older leaves or divide established clumps every five years
Suggested planting locations and garden types
Wall-side Borders Patio & Container Plants
Pests
Glasshouse red spider mite, mealybugs and aphids can be troublesome under glass
Diseases
Generally trouble free
Source: RHS