Ensete ventricosum
This relative of the edible banana is a valuable landscaping plant. Its form, texture and large leaves create a lush, tropical effect.
It grows extremely quickly reaching a height of 1.8 – 2m in the first year. In ideal conditions it will reach 6 metres at maturity.
The dramatic Abyssinian Banana produces beautiful paddle-like leaves up to 3m long and over half a metre wide. The leaves are a rich green with a prominent bright red spine.
It can be grown in a pot, it prefers full sun but will handle dappled shade.