Banana Shrub

Banana shrub is an evergreen magnolia that grows about 6–10 feet tall and wide, with a dense, upright, oval-to-rounded shape. Its cream-to-yellow flowers appear in mid- to late spring and carry a ripe-banana or cantaloupe fragrance; the glossy dark-green foliage stays year-round. [N.C. State Extension](https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/magnolia-figo/common-name/banana-magnolia/) ## Landscape Use Place this compact shrub near a patio, entry, or walkway where its fragrance can be enjoyed. It prefers partial shade but tolerates full sun; strong sun can make leaves yellow-green. Give it shelter from strong winds and use moist, fertile, well-drained, acidic soil with organic matter. It is frost-tender, especially near the cooler edge of its range, so avoid warm southern exposures that may bring buds out too early. ## Maintenance Keep moisture even through the year, avoiding very dry or waterlogged soil, and mulch the root zone in winter. Prune soon after flowering if shaping is needed; flower buds for the next season form by early summer.