Ensete ventricosum 'Montbeliardii'

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<em>Ensete</em> <em>ventricosum</em> 'Montbeliardii' John Fielding
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Conservatory Greenhouse

A tender evergreen perennial to 4m, with an upright habit. It produces huge, red-flushed leaves which add a tropical feel to any garden. Requires the protection of a warm greenhouse or conservatory in winter

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Loam, Sand

Max Height

2.5-4 metres

Max Spread

1-1.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
5–10 years
Max Spread
1-1.5 metres
Max Height
2.5-4 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H2

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Musaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Columnar upright
Genus
Ensete are robust evergreen perennials forming a short stem, with large paddle-shaped leaves and pendent terminal clusters of cup-shaped flowers, followed by dry banana-like fruits
Name Status
Accepted

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow outdoors in a frost-free area in humus-rich soil in full sun or partial shade. Under glass grow in peat-free, loam-based compost with shade from hot sun. Water freely and apply a balanced liquid feed every two weeks in the growing season. See banana cultivation for further information

Propagation

Propagate by sowing seed at 21°C in spring; germination may be erratic

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Patio and container plants
  • Sub-tropical
  • Bedding
  • Conservatory and greenhouse

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to glasshouse red spider mite, aphids and mealybugs

Diseases

Generally disease-free