🌸 Stellar Ruby Banana Shrub – 7 Gallon

🌸 Stellar Ruby Banana Shrub – 7 Gallon

A mature, fragrant beauty ready to make an instant impact.

For those looking to bring an established presence of warmth and charm into their landscape, the Stellar Ruby Banana Shrub (7 Gallon) is a perfect choice. This larger-sized specimen is ideal for anchoring garden beds, framing walkways, or adding a touch of Southern grace right from the moment it’s planted.

🌿 A Bit of History

Often called Michelia figo ‘Stellar Ruby’, the banana shrub is a treasured plant that traces its roots to ancient Chinese gardens. It was lovingly adopted into the Southern garden tradition for its unique banana-like fragrance and glossy evergreen leaves. The ‘Stellar Ruby’ variety builds on that history with a deeper bloom color and a more compact, lush shape—making it a standout in today’s family-friendly gardens.

🌺 The Meaning Behind the Bloom

The ruby-hued blossoms of this shrub are more than eye-catching—they symbolize love, hospitality, and warmth. With a scent reminiscent of ripe bananas and a bloom color that suggests affection and connection, this plant is a natural way to express a heartfelt welcome in any outdoor space.

☀️ Best Growing Conditions

• Sun: Full sun to partial shade

• Soil: Moist, well-drained soil

• Zones: USDA 7–10

• Size at Maturity: 4–6 ft tall and wide

• Form: Rounded and full—excellent for foundation plantings or as a focal point

The seven-gallon size brings more mature structure and presence, making it ideal for creating an instant sense of grace and grounded beauty in your garden or landscape.

🌱 Care Instructions

• Watering: Keep soil evenly moist, especially during the first season. Once rooted, the plant is moderately drought-tolerant.

• Mulching: A 2–3 inch layer of mulch will help retain moisture and regulate soil temperature.

• Pruning: Minimal pruning needed—just shape lightly in early spring if desired.

• Feeding: Use a balanced slow-release fertilizer in spring to encourage growth and blooms.

This plant, like any good relationship, grows best with a little love, patience, and consistent care.

🌼 Beautiful Plant Companions

Create a lush and welcoming garden space with these thoughtful companions:

• Azaleas – A stunning, colorful backdrop in spring

• Gardenias – For fragrant, creamy-white blooms and similar growing conditions

• Hydrangeas – Their soft pastel tones pair beautifully with Stellar Ruby’s deep flowers

• Boxwoods or Compact Hollies – For clean lines and evergreen structure

At Wright’s Market Garden Center & Boutique, we believe that a garden is more than a collection of plants—it’s a place for memories, laughter, and quiet moments of beauty. The Stellar Ruby Banana Shrub (7 Gallon) is ready to be part of your family’s story from the moment it’s planted. Let it bring fragrance, grace, and community spirit to your landscape.