JunglePlants

Bananas

Going Bananas (Delivery Apr to Sept)

Tropical Bananas by mail order - probably my favourite Exotic for a stunning effect, many easy to grow from seed but there is a much wider availability from plant propgation. What can be more exotic and jungly than a Banana tree waving in the breeze amongst your summer bedding? Some varieties can be treated as bedding perennials if the root stocks are protected in winter with some sacking or other suitable material. (See the Winter Protection Page on our JungleSeeds Site). Others are best grown as summer bedding with one or at most two years winter protection in a Conservatory or Greenhouse.

Ensete maurelii

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Red Abysinian Banana large 1 litre plants ■☻♥

We offer and always have offered a micro propagated selected clone of maurelii that is closer to montbeliardii with its upright habit but with wider leaves. We also see a form called "Tandarra Red" being offered with colouring identical to our own clone but only growing to 4ft? Our form of this superb plant has to be the king of all banana's. The one shown in the picture was grown in our front garden and stood at about 9ft tall in late July in it's second season after over wintering in a Polytunnel! Easily reaching 6ft in the first year from small plants and 8ft to 10ft from our larger plants. The fabulous red, stained foliage is enhanced in our cool climate, turning almost completely green in tropical high temperatures. Easy and fast growing, although not hardy, it enjoys our cool summers - Will require over wintering in a greenhouse or conservatory.

Ensete maurelii

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Red Abysinian Banana large 3 litre plants ■☻♥

Ensete montbeliardii

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Ensete ventricosum montbeliardii large 1 & 3 litre plants ■☻♥

Please note that the large very tall 3 litre plants will be trimmed for shipping!

A recent re-introduction into the UK by the late David Constantine this ensete was originally documented in 1930 but fell out of cultivation. An upright, elegant ensete with thicker leaves that are a bit greener without the same wonderful deep red colouring as maurelii on the front but a stunning purple reverse. A very tall plant once it gets going with a red midrib to the very long thin leaves, the attractive red strip also continues down the stems. This is a collectors item though and we will only have a limited number available. (You might need a very tall conservatory to overwinter this one!)

Ensete ventricosum

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Giant Abysinian Banana 3 litre plants ■☻♥

The Ensetes are a separate species within the Musa family with strong attractive light green stiff leaves. Ventricosum has a red midrib and a white bloom to the reverse side of the leaves. A stunning foliage plant with much heavier and thicker leaves that withstands high winds a little better than Basjoo but not hardy enough to overwinter outside. The plant clone we sell is the larger giant form from Uganda and surrounding areas.

Musa AeAe

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Available in 2012 on a FIFO reserve basis

Variegated Musa acuminata 3 litre plants available next spring

A very rare variegated form of Musa paradisiaca, a tall fruiting banana much sort after by enthusiasts. It cannot be propagated by seed or micropropagation and plants are only rarely offered for sale as they have to be grown from suckering shoots. It needs a minimum winter temperature of 15C to 18C in a warm humid glasshouse so not really suitable for anyone unless you are experienced with growing tropical plants but not as difficult as many enthusiasts make out. Our plants reach 7ft tall within 12 months each year before we have to cut them back.

Musa basjoo

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Japanese Hardy Banana 1 litre plants ■☻җ җ җ ♥

A hardy Banana actually from China that you can leave out all winter. This tall slender banana with bright green leaves makes a very architectural plant in the garden. It soon develops suckers to form a clump effect so reminiscent of the bananas seen in tropical countries. If you protect the main stem in winter with for example chimney liner pots in-filled with straw and covered with a suitable artifact that keeps the rain out but allowing the plant to breath, this may keep the main growing stem alive. It should then continue to grow the following spring with the plant making enough growth in our summer to possibly reach flowering size. Normally the plant would be cut down after the first frost damage and the rootstock protected with straw or bracken during winter, in spring shoots from the base exceed 6ft to 7ft by September.

Musa basjoo 3L

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Japanese Hardy Banana large 3 litre 3ft tall plants ■☻җ җ җ ♥

Musa cavendishii

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Edible fruiting banana 3 litre plants (Fruits at 2 Metre Tall) ■☻♥

If you have the headroom this is one of the bananas of commerce producing large hands of slightly smaller bananas on a plant reaching 10ft or so. Flower and fruit could be expected in three years providing sufficient heat, food, sunlight and water are provided. At this time the base of the main stem will be about 15" diameter. Many suckers develop but from my experience these sap the strength of the plant and are best removed if you intend to grow it to fruiting size. If left on, the plant will quickly develop multiple stems making an attractive clump of banana leaved foliage. (Needs a minimum night temperature all year round of 18C and 25C plus during the day)

Musa cavendishii Super Dwarf

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Edible fruiting banana in 3 litre pots (Fruits at 1 Metre Tall) ■☻♥

Not surprisingly Musa Cavendishi Super Dwarf proved really popular with our customers every year. The chance to grow a real small fruiting banana in your conservatory or greenhouse which fruits at about 1 metre tall is not to be missed.

Musa mannii

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Indian Dwarf Banana 3 litre Plant ■☻♥

A useful short flowering musa, grown for its flower, ornamental pink fruit and foliage. The small, seedy fruit a bit like Musa velutina is inedible. Leaves have an attractive red flush and this banana is now believed to be extinct in the wild.

Musa sikkimensis

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Hardy Himalayan Banana 1 litre plants ■☻җ җ ♥

Musa sikkimensis originates from 6,000ft in the Himalayas, and is significantly larger than basjoo. Already it is proving to be more suitable than Basjoo in our tricky summer climate, more resilient to winds and continues to grow in cool weather when Basjoo almost stops. Trials over the last few years prove that it over winters outdoors successful given the same treatment. Extremely attractive with young leaves either mottled maroon or with a maroon reverse.

Musa sikkimensis 3L

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Hardy Himalayan Banana 3 litre plants ■☻җ җ ♥

Musa Sikkimensis Daj Giant

Giant Himalayan Banana 1 and 3 litre plants ■☻җ җ ♥

A new sikkimensis hybrid that is taller, more robust and faster growing than the type not quite as hardy as sikkimensis but a magnificent plant. The new leaves have a red flush to the reverse adding to the attraction.

Musa zebrina

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Blood Banana 1 Litre Plants ■☻♥

One of the most beautiful of all ornamental bananas with red wine stained leaves. In America often used as a pool side decoration. Not hardy at all and best grown in the greenhouse or conservatory in the UK, although I have tried it successfuly as summer bedding. As you can see Zebrina is very attractive and also quite fast growing. Topping out at 4' makes it a useful specimen to keep for a longer period, say in a conservatory, without outgrowing it's welcome! This plant will need a warm greenhouse or Conservatory for successful over wintering. The Blood Banana is exotica at its best and just has to be seen to be fully appreciated!

Musella lasiocarpa

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Chinese Banana 1 Litre Plants ■☻♥

This has to be at the top of your list to try for tropical bedding! It is not a true banana but a closely related species from China that has similar broad, bright green leaves. But it's the bright yellow long lasting lotus like flowers make it stand out from the crowd. Like most musa related species, once the growth spike has flowered it will die off, however new suckers quickly grow from the root stock. Be patient though as the plant will not reach sufficient maturity to flower until they are 3 to 4 years old or more.

Musella lasiocarpa

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Chinese Banana 3 Litre Plants ■☻♥

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Symbols

To Grow -- Easy ■ Moderate ■ and Challenging ■

May be ok for a dry Conservatory ♣

Hardiness - To -5°C җ To -10°C җ җ Fully Hardy җ җ җ

Needs Shady Position ☻ Sunny Position ☻ Water Loving ♥