Michelia figo
Port Wine Magnolia, Banana Shrub
Description:
Compact, evergreen shrub prized for its dense, glossy green foliage and highly fragrant, creamy-yellow flowers with purple margins. Flowering begins in spring and often continues intermittently through summer, filling the garden with a distinctive sweet fragrance reminiscent of ripe bananas or port wine. Its naturally tidy growth habit and year-round foliage make it an excellent choice for hedging, screening, feature planting, or containers in New Zealand gardens.
Height:
2–4m
Width:
1.5–3m
Position:
Full sun to part shade. Performs best in a warm, sheltered position with protection from strong winds and harsh afternoon sun in hotter areas.
Soil:
Prefers fertile, moist, well-drained soil enriched with organic matter. Performs best in slightly acidic soil but adapts to a range of soil types provided drainage is good. Avoid prolonged waterlogging.
Uses:
- Informal hedging and screening
- Feature or specimen shrub
- Courtyards and entranceways
- Containers and large planters
- Fragrant and cottage gardens
- Mixed shrub borders
Care Tips:
- Water regularly during establishment and during extended dry periods
- Apply a balanced slow-release fertiliser in spring to encourage healthy growth and flowering
- Mulch annually to retain soil moisture and suppress weeds, keeping mulch away from the main stem
- Lightly prune after flowering to maintain shape and encourage dense, bushy growth
- Protect young plants from heavy frost; established plants tolerate light frosts in sheltered positions
- Well suited to most New Zealand gardens, particularly in warmer and coastal regions
We have made every effort to display as accurately as possible the grade and quality of the plant in the images.
Plants are subject to availability; there is a slight possibility the plants can be sold before your order is processed. In this instance we can offer a refund or credit and let you know when more plants become available.
