Musa sikkimensis Ever Red ('Lou 1')
banana
Delivery options
- Standard £5.95
This perennial is semi-evergreen so it can lose some of its leaves in winter. In colder regions or more exposed gardens, it may lose them all, but then fresh new growth appears again in spring.
- Position: full sun or partial shade
- Soil: humus-rich soil (or loam-based potting compost - John Innes no. 3 for container-grown specimens)
- Rate of growth: fast
- Hardiness: tender (will need winter protection)
Originating in the foothills of the Himalayas, this Musa is one of the hardiest ornamental bananas with its thicker, stronger leaves that are consistently more windproof and more colourful than other cultivars. ‘Ever Red’ retains its red leaf colour for longer during the summer than most, adding a tropical jungle vibe until the first frosts.
During the growing season water regularly and apply a balanced liquid fertiliser each month. In frost-prone areas lift outdoor specimens before the first frosts, reducing the top-growth to the newest 2 or 3 leaves and cutting back the long roots. Overwinter under glass in a frost-free greenhouse until all risk of frost has passed.