Despite its sensitive, tender nature, the Abyssinian Banana, Ensete ventricosum, is becoming increasingly popular as a summer bedding plant in Britain. It's well suited to growing in tropical garden schemes, bearing giant, jungle-like paddles of rich red and green leaves from its thick, leafy trunk.
Ensete ventricosum is extremely fast growing, and will quickly grow into a space, as the focal point of the display. For best results, grow in a warm sunny, sheltered spot, away from strong winds, which can damage the leaves and make them look unsightly. Water regularly and feed with a nitrogen-rich fertiliser once a fortnight.
In autumn, cut the plants down and either dig them up and transfer them into pots, which you can move indoors until late spring. In southern regions, it may be possible to wrap the plants with a thick later of horticultural fleece and mulch around the roots with well-rotted manure or compost. However you overwinter them, Ensete ventricosum plants should regrow quickly from late-spring onwards.
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Ensete ‘Maurelii’ and wildlife
Ensete ‘Maurelii’ has no particular known value to wildlife in the UK.
