Magnolia figo Stellar Ruby

The Stellar Ruby Magnolia figo, formerly known as Michelia figo, is a hybrid of this fantastic banana bush, exotic with its lush leaves, cup-shaped flowering and unique, very fruity fragrance reminiscent of bananas. It forms an evergreen bush with a narrow and pyramidal habit, with dense, glossy, dark green foliage. Its abundant flowers appear from spring to early summer, in open and refined cups, ranging in color from pink to purple, accompanied by a floral and fruity fragrance. They reappear again at the end of summer. This bountiful flowering occurs in the early years after planting and this generous bush quickly takes root and grows rapidly to reach 4m (13ft) in height and 1.5m (5ft) in width in 10 years. This cultivar is hardy, down to -15°C (5°F).

The Michelia figo botanical species, now included in the Magnolia genus, belongs to the Magnoliaceae family. It is an evergreen bush native to Tibet, introduced to Europe in 1789. With a compact habit, both erect and spreading, its vegetation is dense, with multiple stems and numerous branches. In nature, it reaches 3m (10ft) in height and almost as much in width. Its growth is slow. The continuous flowering begins in March-April and lasts until the end of summer. The flowers succeed each other, perfuming the air with their surprising scent of ripe bananas. Bursting open from velvety buds, they open up into cups with a diameter of 4cm (2in), formed by 6 waxy petals with a subtle shade of old pink, finely edged with purple, showing in their center a cluster of protruding stamens surrounding a granular club-shaped pistil. The foliage is leathery, dark green and shiny, composed of ovate leaves, 8 to 10cm (3 to 4in) long, with a lighter velvety underside.

The Stellar Ruby hybrid was selected in 2010 after crossing two unnamed and unpatented plants of two subspecies of Magnolia figo: var. crassipes and var. skinneria. It differs from the botanical species with its narrow habit, improved hardiness and rapid and vertical growth. It offers flowers of a darker color, pink to purple, almost ruby pink, both slightly faded but more intense.

Plant the Stellar Ruby Magnolia figo as a standalone plant to showcase it, near a pathway to enjoy its fragrance, or even in a large container on the terrace, to be stored for winter if necessary. In mild climates, it works wonders as a standalone plant on a short grass meadow, but also mixed in a flower bed or in a free hedge with viburnums (Viburnum odoratissimum), privets (Ligustrum japonicum), and even as a trimmed hedge by the seaside. When planted freely, it does not require pruning, appreciates exposure to non-burning sun or partial shade. The narrow habit of Stellar Ruby makes it a friend of small gardens. Its improved hardiness allows it to be adopted in many regions.