Michelia figo. Ashitaka. http://www.flickr.com
In the realm of plant fragrance, we often refer to flowers as having a ‘floral’ or ‘fruity’ fragrance. And then there is Michelia figo- which is so undeniably fragrant of bananas, people simply go..well…bananas over it! And by bananas, I don’t mean ripe splitting the peel banana, I mean banana pudding with whipped cream on top banana. Again, its one of those flowers that goes from being fragrant to edible, and I just don’t think I personally could grow it without constant hunger.
This is yet another plant that northerners without a greenhouse balk over, as southerners get to enjoy this Magnolia relative each winter. Michelia figo is hardy to zone 8, and is a staple of southern botanical gardens. I first smelled it in California at Huntington Botanical Gardens, and have noticed it so many places since then I pretty much quit counting. Being so small, it often is a good landscape filler plant, or specimen under evergreen trees, as its not too demanding otherwise. Its a small bush that happens to bring the wow factor January through March- otherwise its just another green thing to put in the garden bed.
For those not in the south, they happen to be a perfect windowsill and greenhouse plant since they are quite small and compact. Its also not too demanding as an indoor plant, just don’t get crazy with fertilizer and water and it’ll be a reliable winter bloomer for you northerners as well. After all, don’t we all need to go a little bananas when the weather starts finally warming up?
Fragrant Earth 