Banana Magnolia Magnolia figo
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Michelia figo
- Phonetic Spelling
- mag-NOL-ee-ah FIH-go
- Description
-
The Banana Magnolia is a lovely flowering, evergreen shrub in the Magnolia family that grows at a medium rate to 6 to 10 feet tall with an equal spread and a dense, upright, oval to rounded habit. After reaching 10 feet, it will continue to grow more slowly, eventually reaching 20 feet high. This plant blooms in mid to late spring and has fragrant cream to yellow flowers that smell like ripe cantaloupe or banana. Some cultivars have flowers up to 4 inches in diameter. The genus name honors Pierre Magnol, a 17th century French botanist. The species name derives from its description on Macao where the first specimen was found (fula meaning "flower" and figo meaning "banana") referring to the intense banana-like fragrance of the blooms.
This plant must be planted in a location protected from strong winds. It prefers partial shade, but tolerates full sun (although the leaves may turn yellow-green). The plant does best in evenly moist, well-drained, fertile, acidic, sandy loam in organic matter. It is frost tender and grows in USDA zones 7 to 10, but does best in zones 8 to 10. This plant can be severely pruned and is slightly salt tolerant. Prune soon after the bloom period, as flower bud formation for next year occurs by early summer.
In areas near zone 7, avoid locating plants in southern exposures that may induce buds to open too early in spring. A late frost can damage blossoms. Provide consistent and regular moisture throughout the year and avoid soils that are too dry or wet. Mulch the root zone in winter.
The Clemson Cooperative Extension Home and Garden Information Center has a factsheet on Banana Magnolia.
Quick ID Hints:
- Brown pubescence under leaves and on buds
- Cup-shaped, ivory flower smells like ripe bananas
- Evergreen shrub with magnolia-like leaves
- Axillary flower buds at 30 degrees to stem
Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems:
This plant has no significant pest or disease problems. Scale may be an issue.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Children's Secret Garden at Wilson Botanical Gardens
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Coco'
- 'Port Wine'
- 'Coco'
- 'Coco', 'Port Wine'
- Tags:
![Michelia figo](https://s3.amazonaws.com/eit-planttoolbox-prod/media/images/Michelia-figo--Forest-and-Kim-Starr--cc-by-2-0.jpg)
![Michelia figo](https://s3.amazonaws.com/eit-planttoolbox-prod/media/images/Michelia-figo--Tatiana-Gerus--cc-by-sa-2-0.jpg)
![Michelia figo](https://s3.amazonaws.com/eit-planttoolbox-prod/media/images/Michelia-figo--Forest-and-im-Starr2--cc-by-2-0.jpg)
![Leafy shoot showing alternate leaves and fuzzy twigs.](https://s3.amazonaws.com/eit-planttoolbox-prod/media/images/magnolia-figo-leaves_0d7vQPM5qieO.jpeg)
![Lemon yellow petals with reddish tips - bud about to bloom.](https://s3.amazonaws.com/eit-planttoolbox-prod/media/images/Magnolia_figo_Flower_TJqRTSw5yk7i.jpeg)
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/eit-planttoolbox-prod/media/images/thumb_sm/Michelia-figo--Fores_xAQHemCOYmVw.jpeg)
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/eit-planttoolbox-prod/media/images/thumb_sm/Michelia-figo--Tatia_0qsGlsfrGyJm.jpeg)
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/eit-planttoolbox-prod/media/images/thumb_sm/Michelia-figo--Fores_y9OembYPvdlJ.jpeg)
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/eit-planttoolbox-prod/media/images/thumb_sm/magnolia-figo-leaves_u5JKAD98Vqrt.jpeg)
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/eit-planttoolbox-prod/media/images/thumb_sm/Magnolia_figo_Flower_MRUf27L6cc85.jpeg)
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Coco'
- 'Port Wine'
- 'Coco'
- 'Coco', 'Port Wine'
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Magnolia
- Species:
- figo
- Family:
- Magnoliaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- South East China
- Distribution:
- South eastern United States
- Wildlife Value:
- Deer resistant
- Dimensions:
- Height: 6 ft. 0 in. - 15 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 6 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.
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-
Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Perennial
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Dense
- Mounding
- Oval
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
-
-
Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12-24 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Cream/Tan
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Purple/Lavender
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Head
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Cup
- Flower Petals:
- 6 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- Flowers are cream colored and tinged with purple or green or yellow. They are fragrant, cupulate, axillary, up to 1 1/2 inches in size with erect tepals (6-9). Buds emerge at a 30 degree angle to the stem. They bloom April to June and are covered in rusty brown pubescence.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Waxy
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Oblanceolate
- Obovate
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Leaves are alternate, simple, oval to obovate to oblanceolate, acute, cuneate, entire, and brown pubescent below. The leaves have a lustrous dark green color and become yellowish green in the winter. They grow between 3 to 5 inches long and are attractive throughout the year.
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-
Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Gray/Silver
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Pith (Split Longitudinally):
- Chambered
- Stem Surface:
- Hairy (pubescent)
- Stem Description:
- Stems are green, pubescent, and turn gray/brown and glabrous. Pith is white and chambered.
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-
Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Coastal
- Pool/Hardscape
- Landscape Theme:
- Asian Garden
- Cutting Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Foundation Planting
- Hedge
- Specimen
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Drought
- Salt