We're offering you a 2 Hardy Banana'Ever Red' Plants for £12.99, saving you up to 48% off Thompson and Morgan's's price of £24.99 (correct as of 16.06.2025).

Hardy Red Banana

Musa 'Ever Red', also known as the hardy red banana, is a striking member of the Musaceae family. This variety brings bold, maroon-streaked foliage and lush, ribbed leaves to your garden, instantly evoking a tropical paradise.

Why Choose 'Ever Red'?

• Tropical Impact: Large, deep green leaves streaked with rich red tones deliver a vibrant focal point in borders or containers.
• Architectural Growth: Fast-growing with a sturdy, woody stem—perfect as a dramatic centrepiece in exotic garden schemes.
• Exceptional Hardiness: Outperforms Musa sikkimensis 'Bengal Tiger' in both colour retention and resilience. With winter protection (mulch or fleece), it can thrive outdoors in milder UK regions (typically RHS H3/USDA zone 9).
• Mature Size: Reaches up to 3–4m (10–13ft) in height and spread when planted in optimal conditions.
• Flexible Placement: Grow in large pots for easy repositioning or plant directly into borders for maximum impact.

Growing Guide

• Planting Time: Best planted from late spring after the last frost, when soil temperatures rise above 15baC.
• Light Requirements: Prefers full sun but tolerates partial shade—more sunlight enhances leaf colour.
• Soil Preferences: Moist, well-drained soil; enrich with organic matter for best results. Slightly acidic to neutral pH is ideal.
• Watering: Keep soil consistently moist during the growing season; reduce watering in winter dormancy.
• Feeding: Apply a balanced liquid fertiliser monthly from spring through summer for vigorous growth.
• Winter Care: In colder areas, move containers indoors or protect outdoor plants with mulch and fleece to prevent frost damage.

Caring for Your Hardy Banana

• Pruning: Remove damaged leaves as needed; cut back stems only if killed by frost—new shoots will emerge from the base.
• Pests & Diseases: Generally pest-free; watch for slugs on young leaves.

Design Ideas & Companion Planting

• Create an exotic border with cannas, dahlias, or colocasia for layered texture and colour contrast.
• Pots can be grouped on patios alongside palms or ferns for an instant tropical retreat.

FAQs

• When is the best time to plant?
  The ideal time is late spring after the risk of frost has passed and soil has warmed up.
• How fast does it grow?
  'Ever Red' is fast-growing in warm conditions and can reach up to 1–2m in its first season with good care.
• What care does it need over winter?
  Add mulch around the base and wrap stems with fleece outdoors. Container plants can be moved indoors or into a sheltered greenhouse.