Product Review

Banana Bush or Banana Shrub is a large growing flowering perennial that is native to China. It is a member of the magnolia family, and was introduced into the United States in the 1700's. The common name Banana Shrub is so called because the buttery yellow to cream flowers, reminscent of magnolia blossoms, that appear in the spring have a distinctive, sweet smell very similar to ripe bananas. The blossoms begin to emerge from long cigar shaped buds in mid to late Spring, and are made up of 6 waxy cream to buttery yellow petals with pretty ruby red to purple margins. The shrub is a large, but slow growing, well branching evergreen bush with deep green, glossy, slightly elongated leaves. The growth habit is large, branching and rounded and will reach heights of as much as 15', but can easily be maintained at lower heights in a hedge form. Relationship to bananas is just a similar smell. This plant is not edible.