If your grocer says, “Yes, we have no bananas. We have no bananas today,” it isn’t surprising since banana is world’s second favorite fruit, surpassed in popularity only by apple. Once only grown in tropical climates, good news is that several varieties can be grown in northern areas as well as in south.

Because it takes nine months or more to reach maturity, some northern gardeners grow banana plant only for its spectacular ornamental foliage. However, in hobby greenhouse, even northern growers can achieve a fruit harvest and reap added benefit of seeing amazing way in which fruit is produced.

Probably because of its height, banana plant is often incorrectly called a banana tree. Actually, though, banana is largest herbaceous perennial and belongs to monocotyledons of Musaceae family, which also includes palms, grasses, and orchids.

Bananas grow from rhizomes, which are stems that take root and send shoots (suckers) up through soil. Banana plants may also be propagated through suckers (also called pups or ratoons) that grow from main stem of banana plant. If you have difficulty in finding banana rhizomes at your local nursery, you can find them in most garden catalogs as well as Internet garden outlets. Site and soil

The banana plant grows best in full sun in soil that provides excellent drainage. Good drainage is crucial since saturated roots may die in less than an hour. It is also important to shelter banana plant from heavy winds that can tatter banana plant foliage.

The banana plant is a very heavy feeder. Soil should be nutrient rich, slightly acidic, and loamy enough to retain moisture and keep nutrients from leaching below shallow roots of plant. Amendments of good organic compost and green sand or kelp meal will help maintain banana plant’s high mineral requirements.

Planting Banana Rhizomes

I often pause for a while especially at twilight when scent from blooms are at their stongest, and feel extremely proud of effort that I have put into my garden.

This is when I really appreciate how worthwhile it has all been.

No doubt your garden is looking really special as well, but if by any chance you feel there are any gaps, or plants that you think could be doing better, might I suggest that you take some inspiration from some of these wonderful blooms which I find truly magnificent.

In my opinion these are some of blooms that will enhance any garden and delight senses with their combined scents.

Rose eglanteria - This sweet briar rose is valued for strong apple aroma which comes from leaves, but there is also much more than a pink flower in summer, it is followed by a deep red in autumn. I think that it is an extremely handsome bush, and it also makes an impenetrable hedge.

Agastache faoeniculum (anise hyssop) - This is a stately herbaceous perennial, whose silver green leaves release a liquorice aniseed fragrance. The rich violet blue color flowers are particularly loved by bees, butterflies and goldfinches among others. I find rich beautiful color delightful when it bursts into my garden in late summer, and lasts right through to autumn. Cytisus battandeiri (Moroccan Broom) - When planted around walls of house or around patio, crushed pineapple aroma which comes from cones of yellow blossom will pervade air. It truly excites senses on warm still days of June and July, with its wonderful aroma wafting into house or patio area. It should be encouraged to flower freely so that you get most from this absolutely wonderful flower.

Magnolia grandiflora - The large chalices are a joy in late summer with a wonderful lemon zest aroma. It should be helped to bloom when young by espalier-training shoots against a warm sunny wall. Train them horizontally, and shorten new shoots to five leaves in August.

Dianthus (Brymton Red) - These lovely old fashioned dianthus have a lingering clove fragrance and "Brymton red" is a true peacock among them. They yield a brilliant display of single deep red flowers laced with darker markings, and are just scintilating in June. Be sure to deadhead flowers weekly to channel your plants energy into producing more shoots and blooms.

Eucryphia nymansay - This elegant evergreen is famous for its summer and autumn display of large honey scented white flowers. The flower is coveted by nectar seeking bees. It needs a warm and sunny location. I absolutely adore these.

Ferdinand Pitchard - This is an old fashioned rose with beckoning smell of fresh picked raspberries. The globular pink blooms striped with crimson and purple will be your reward for planting this fatastic rose. It thrives on humis rich soil in full sunlight, and it will bring color to summer season most beautifully.

Other Flowers To Bring A Fesival Of Color And Delight.