Ensete ventricosum Maurelii - Ethiopian Black Banana

Ensete ventricosum 'Maurelii', also known as the Ethiopian Black Banana, is a giant perennial plant highly sought after for its immensely beautiful red-tinted leaves. This hybrid variety, which does not produce seeds, is spectacular in an exotic setting and sensitive to colder climates. However, its growth rate is so fast that it forms a beautiful plant in one season. This magnificent "banana tree" can be grown in large containers on the terrace, as an indoor plant, or in the ground in the mildest regions, in a sheltered location.

The Abyssinian Banana belongs to the musaceae family, just like the Musa (true bananas). It is a plant with tuberous rhizomes, native to tropical regions of Africa. It is a tall banana tree, without suckers at the base, reaching heights of 6 to 10 meters (19 feet 8 inches to 32 feet 10 inches) or more in its country of origin. In our climates, it rarely exceeds 3 meters (9 feet 10 inches) in height and 2 meters (6 feet 7 inches) in width. It is remarkable for its ornamental qualities and its fast growth rate. A young plant can reach a height of 1.5 meters (4 feet 11 inches) in just one summer. The Ensete ventricosum 'Maurelii' has a thick false trunk, called a swollen bottle-shaped stipe. The leaves, produced at the top of the stipe, are particularly large (1 meter (3 feet 4 inches)) long and wide, entire, alternate, dark green with a strong tint of shining red on the upper side, paler underneath. They are crossed by a large red central vein. It is a relatively sensitive plant, evergreen in mild climates, capable of withstanding light frosts of around -4 to -6°C (24.8 to 21.2 °F).

The Black Ethiopian Banana is used in mass plantings or as a standalone specimen in regions with a mild climate. It makes a statement on the terrace when it is displayed in a large container. It can be stored in a cold greenhouse during winter. In this use, it pairs well with other orangery plants, such as oleanders, citrus trees, or the Strelitzia reginae.

Just like perennial plants, banana trees go dormant during winter: their above-ground parts dry out and die. Plants shipped in winter are therefore pruned to the ground (leaves and stems) by our teams to allow for better plant growth in spring.