I got a new plant coming from Gardino nurshery in south FL
It's called the banana shrub it's night blooming with banana smelling blooms. blooms in spring and summer


I will post a photo of the plant when it come in next week

Michelia figo? If so, it's a very cool plant! A very close relative of Magnolias, you can easily see the resemblance in the blooms, although they are smaller than most magnolia blooms. And each petal often has a reddish burgundy edge (intensity and width varying from plant to plant). And they do smell of bananas! Though, to me it's more of the sweet artificial banana flavoring smell than actual bananas, you can still definitely make the connection!

They used to be very common in the south and at certain times of the year the scent could be quite strong. I still remember the first time I was introduced to the banana shrub, it was 50+ years ago and I carried a flower with me all day. LOL

Yup that's the one I got a phap orchid too at the Como orchid show it was 26 bucks I hope it lives it has green and white flowers

Yes, Banana Shrub (Magnolia figo) formerly known as Michelia figo. I've had this plant for a long time and love it; mine blooms in the daytime. The blooms are really fragrant!

Do you know the name of your Paphiopedilum Orchid? We have quite a few listed in the database: https://garden.org/plants/brow...

No its an unannounced hybrid



I think it's a good buy for 26 dollars

I've never tried growing Paphs but they sure are interesting orchids!

We keep the house mid 70s which is a bit warm at night but otherwise this is good.


If it reblooms I'm hooked

It is a very healthy looking paph.

Here is some info on the Michelia.
http://floridata.com/Plants/Ma...

I see you are in MN. Do bear in mind both the paph and the banana shrub grow in humid environments.

When I was little, (in the 50s) we had that shrub that my mother called Magnolia fuscata. She would put the flower petals in my pinafores. The scent was overwhelming to me and I would dump them when she wasn't looking.

Sandi, Magnolia fuscata is a synonym for Banana Shrub (Magnolia figo) and although I think the flower fragrance is amazing; if I grew it as an indoor houseplant it would be overpowering.

I grew a lot of Hoya plants a few years ago and one winter I moved a couple of them into the house, thinking it would be a pleasant air freshener ... although the fragrance was wonderful, within a short time it just became so overpowering and I had to put them all back outside!

Wondering if it could be container grown, overwintered in the basement? Looks like an interesting shrub from what I've read

It is an evergreen shrub so it would not have a dormant period. If you could supply plenty of light it might do fine in a basement. As long as it stays above freezing it is happy. Logee's sells them as container plants.

I wonder if it minds consistent temputre in the mid to high 70s with central heating during Winter I know it needs a bit more light then what I have I could always get some more lamps for my room


It's going outside in late may or late April so it can grow better it should be okay I heard it's hardy to 30 degrees it said so on the site I brought it from if it's 40 degrees in Jan now it should be an early spring I think

Here it is just arrived

Very nice Alex!

Thanks again


It was really dry when I got it so I gave it a good drink I'm curious to see how it will do hopefully it does okay untill summer when I can put it outside


I was told to repot it into a large container or the ground not a viable option for my zone I also used moisture retentive mix is this a problem ?

Granted its in a really big pot I hear they like root room


I moved it closer to the light too