Going Bananas

I have decided to embrace my tropical side. Every year I moan about the hot, humid summer; I lament the passing of spring; I fuss about heat stressed perennials. No more. I now realize that I live in the best of all climates. The fact is, I can have it all. 

Winter? Sure. Just a touch of arctic air, enough to justify a winter wardrobe, and once in a while snow, just enough for it to be a delight rather than a burden. Spring? Absolutely wonderful. Fall? The land glows with colors of the sunset as aging plants prepare for dormancy. Cooling temperatures, football! 

And summer. Summer here has a tropical edge. It is not for wimps. It is steamy and full of creatures that fly and slither and make strange noises all night. We are not quite in the tropics, but there is enough of the jungle flavor to give one a taste. Many exotic plants thrive in the heat and moist air. So I have had an attitude adjustment; I have gone bananas!

I recently planted the ornamental red banana plant, Ensete ventricosum 'Maurellii', beside my patio. The above photos show my new red banana plant, snuggling in amongst its non-tropical neighbors.This plant is fun to photograph! The back of the huge leaves are burgundy, and the tops are tinted in shades of red, green, and yellow.

There are many cultivars of red banana. Some will grow up to 25 feet tall and will produce delicious fruit in frost-free climates. In my climate I doubt mine will grow much larger than 8 feet, as it will stop growing when temperatures cool in the fall. It is not frost hardy. I could cut it back, then dig up the corm and store it inside till next year. But it will probably survive outdoors here if the stalk is cut to the ground and the plant is heavily mulched for the winter, and that is what I am planning to do.

All banana plants need heat and moisture. They should be planted in humus rich, well draining soil. They need to be watered several times a week and need to be fertilized every month with a high nitrogen, organic fertilizer. They do best in full sun, though some will grow in partial shade, especially in the hottest climates. Their beautiful leaves are subject to wind damage, so a sheltered location is best. 

The red banana plant is one of several tropical plants I have added to my garden, so I am saying a hearty welcome to summer. (But give me a fan and a tall glass of iced tea, please!)

Add Some Spice With Plectranthus

Call it whatever you want, but chances are you will love Plectranthus amboinicus. It is an herb with many names, including Mexican mint, Indian borage, Spanish thyme, and big thyme. I know it as Cuban oregano, though it did not originate in Cuba. In fact, in Cuba it is commonly called French oregano! Nor is it oregano. A member of the mint family, the leaves emit a powerful aroma when crushed or rubbed against. The scent is a cross between sage and oregano, but the plant is more closely related to coleus than to either sage or oregano. It is not a surprise that one can find the plant also listed as Coleus amboinicus. 

Native to southern and eastern Africa, plectranthus is used as a culinary herb in many parts of the world. It can be substituted for sage or oregano and is used in salsas, salad dressings, herb breads, and stuffing for meats. The peppery taste of the raw leaves becomes sweet when cooked, and in India they are often battered and fried. Traditionally, this herb has many medicinal uses as well. A tea can be made from the leaves that is useful for sore throats, headache, cough, and various viral infections.

Well! All that, and I grow it because it is beautiful. It is available in plain and variegated forms. I love this variegated form of Cuban oregano. The leaves and stems are somewhat hairy.This specimen is planted in partial sun in my woodland garden.

Cuban oregano also grows on my patio in an herb pot along with dill and mint.
Last year I grew Cuban oregano as a companion to other plants in a large container.While primarily a foliage plant, plectranthus does produce delicate pink or blue flowers in late summer to early fall. It can grow up to 20 inches tall and may have a sprawling habit, making it perfect to spill over the edge of a hanging basket or pot. Allowed to spread, it makes a good ground cover. It does best in sun to shade in moist soil with lots of organic matter. Unpalatable to deer, Plectranthus is usually pest free. Cuban oregano is hardy in zones 9-11. It is quite cold sensitive, but in cooler regions it can overwinter as an attractive houseplant. Cuttings root easily in damp soil or water.

Special note: Thanks is due to Elephant's Eye, a South African blogger whose suggestion prompted this post. This one is for you, Diana!