Ornamental Banana - Musa Ornata

Introducing the ornamental banana that redefines garden sophistication. Musa ornata is cultivated for one breathtaking reason: its stunning and long-lasting beauty. This is the quintessential choice for Auckland gardeners seeking a low-maintenance, tropical centrepiece with a spectacular floral display.

A Masterpiece of Floral Artistry

The true glory of Musa ornata is its magnificent inflorescence. Unlike edible bananas, it produces a large, upright and pendulous flower spike of the most exquisite pink to lavender hue. This vibrant bract gracefully lifts to reveal rows of delicate, tubular yellow flowers within. The combination is simply mesmerizing and provides a long-lasting display of colour that few other plants can match.

Purely Ornamental, Unforgettably Beautiful

It's important to know that Musa ornata is grown solely for ornament. Its slender, blue-green leaves and more graceful form create a clump that is less massive than fruiting bananas, making it perfect as a dramatic focal point. The small fruits it occasionally produces are slender, filled with seeds, and not for eating—their purpose is to add further visual interest to the already spectacular flower spike.

Ideal for Auckland's Subtropical Charm

Well-suited to Auckland's mild climate, Musa ornata will thrive in a sunny, sheltered spot. It shares a similar love for warm, frost-free conditions as the Dwarf Cavendish but is often even more adaptable to container life due to its slightly smaller size, typically reaching 2 to 3 meters.

Key Features for Your Garden:

· Botanical Name: Musa ornata (Also known as the Flowering Banana)

· Mature Height: 2 - 3 m, with a slender, elegant habit.

· Ideal Use: A stunning standalone specimen, perfect for pots, patios, and tropical-themed borders.

· Main Attraction: Spectacular upright pink-lavender inflorescence with yellow flowers.

· Note: An ornamental plant; fruits are not edible.

Small - up to 0.3m

Medium - up to .6m

Large - up to 1m

X Large - 1+m