Ensete ventricosum 'Montbeliardii'
Ethiopian Banana 'Montbeliardii'
Ensete produce large banana-like leaf blades and can grow up to 5m tall by 1m wide, with leaves which have a salmon-pink midrib. The flowers only occur once from the centre of the plant at the end of that plant's life. The fruits are inedible and have hard, black, rounded seeds. After flowering, the plant dies. 'Montbeliardii' is a very tall plant once it gets going with a red midrib to the very long thin leaves, the attractive red strip also continues down the stems. It is a very upright and tall growing version of the Maurelii but these are quite rare, pretty expensive and difficult to get hold of.
Contributed by @joolz68
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Full sun
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Frequent watering
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Not Frost hardy
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Rich and free draining
Common name
Ethiopian Banana 'Montbeliardii'
Latin name
Ensete ventricosum 'Montbeliardii'
type
Tender plant
family
Musaceae
ph
6.0 - 7.5 Acid - Neutral
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Light
Full sun
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Frost
Not Frost hardy
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Soil
Rich and free draining
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Water
Frequent watering
Plant & bloom calendar
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Best time to plant
full grown dimensions
1.00 M
5.00 M
Ensete ventricosum 'Montbeliardii'
Ensete produce large banana-like leaf blades and can grow up to 5m tall by 1m wide, with leaves which have a salmon-pink midrib. The flowers only occur once from the centre of the plant at the end of that plant's life. The fruits are inedible and have hard, black, rounded seeds. After flowering, the plant dies. 'Montbeliardii' is a very tall plant once it gets going with a red midrib to the very long thin leaves, the attractive red strip also continues down the stems. It is a very upright and tall growing version of the Maurelii but these are quite rare, pretty expensive and difficult to get hold of.
Planting young plants
From Late Spring TO Late Spring
When planting young plants, choose a sheltered site, out of known frost pockets. Shelter from the wind is also essential to prevent leaves being shredded. Plant in late spring, in a well-drained soil, enriched with well rotted manure or organic compost. Once plants are established, water and feed generously to get the best foliage. Smaller banana species make ideal container plants, which can be placed outdoors for the summer and brought indoors over winter. Plant in a loam-based compost, such as John Innes No. 3 with extra grit and site them in full direct sunlight and keep well watered.
joolz68