Michelia figo
The following thread was started by Linda, Denman Island on July 31, 2004 at 8:42 am PST
M. figo is a rare resident of Seattle gardens. I have never heard of it growing in the hinterlands at all. A small, funky Chinese nusery in my neighborhood sells it, with signs in Chinese referring to it as banana fragrance shrub. It has been known to freeze to death in Portland (which has winters that are shorter than Seattle's but slightly colder). I would guess that about -10C is probably around its lower limit.
Here it is generally grown in favorable situations, such as against a south-facing structure. It needs some sun inland so yes on the coast it should probably be in full sun. That south-facing slope sounds good. The nursery stock is usually grown under shelter so you should probably carefully harden it off and watch for signs of stress. My guess is that this heat-loving plant might not appreciate cool coastal breezes so I suggest trying to shelter it from the wind.
It is painfully slow-growing this far north.
It is a native of southern China, where the climate is amost tropical except for short bursts of mildly frosty weather.
Michelias are closely-related to Magnolias, and the resemblance is obvious. They are generally more subtropical, tho.
Some other members of the genus are believed to be slightly hardier and/or more cool-tolerant, such as M. crassipes and M. yunnanensis.
Water--I don't think this will be an issue. It comes from a climate that is fairly rainy but also rather hot. Its waxy leaves don't lose water fast. Probably watch it while it is young but once established it probably won't need any.
The above followup was added by Rob Wagner on July 31, 2004 at 10:08 am PST.
I purchased a M. Figo from Maple Leaf last year. I keep it in a pot as it seems kind of frail. It only blooms the intoxicating banana scented flowers for a short time and it doesnt scent once the flower is in full bloom. I keep mine in a pot in full sun and it doesnt seem to be growing much. It goes in my heated greenhouse during winter and it did not defoliate but did drop allot of leaves. I feel it will defoliate in freezing temps. To be honest Im not sure exactely what the correct growing conditions are for this lovely plant. I have tried shade, partial shade, full sun and while it looks ok and IS growing its not thriving as I expected. When I bought it the tag said tender. This is true. I am hoping to figure this out so I can have a big bush full of the wonderful banana scented buds. Oh well maybe next year.
The above followup was added by Mike on July 31, 2004 at 11:12 am PST.
Apparently it is normal for the flowers to be fragrant only in the morning on hot days, at least according to this site, which has a nice picture of the flower: http://www.floridata.com/ref/m/mich_fig.cfm
Thanks for all the information. :-) I'm going to try and find a sheltered location to plant and will pamper it for the next couple of years, assuming it makes it through this winter. Wish I had one of the more cold-tolerant species, but I imagine they aren't easily found. I was really surprised to find the one I have - I was "forced" to break a promise to myself to not buy any more plants for awhile because I'm having a hard time keeping up with the watering as it is.
The above followup was added by Linda, Denman Island on July 31, 2004 at 12:48 am PST.
Linda, you're right. The fragrance is only evident on reasonably warm days. Potted specimen never seem to perform all that well, at least in my experience. Being a Magnolia relative, they do appreciate regular watering. If they dry out much, they suffer.
The above followup was added by Barrie - Lantzville, Vancouver Isl. on August 01, 2004 at 7:47 pm PST.
Barrie, do you have one growing outside that survived last winter?
The above followup was added by Linda, Denman Island on August 02, 2004 at 8:47 am PST.
I would put mine in the ground for sure, Im wondering how it would have fared last winter. Im thinking it would have been ok. I also have another Michelia species which I left outside in a pot and it pulled through fine exposed to last winters ice and freezing temps.
The above followup was added by Mike on August 02, 2004 at 10:16 am PST.
Yes Linda, the one I have is planted out and pulled through last winter. I had some minor leaf drop, although I'm not sure if it was weather related or not. It was only a gallon sized plant when it was put out.
Cheers, Barrie.
The above followup was added by Barrie - Lantzville, Vancouver Isl. on August 02, 2004 at 10:39 am PST.
It's a lot hardier than I originally thought then. I'm not sure exactly how cold it got in the Vancouver area, where I think you are Mike, but I believe it got to at least -10 C in Lantzville.
I'm surprised it's not more widely grown, even though it grows slowly.
The above followup was added by Linda, Denman Island on August 02, 2004 at 12:05 am PST.
I had four 1 gal M. Figos that I picked up at the end of season last year for $4 and left them outside in containers for this rough winter. The two that were not in great shape to begin with died, and the remaining two made it through no problem with about 25% leaf loss (they are recovering well). I have a Min/Max thermometer outside and temperatures in my yard in North Van hit -11C.
The above followup was added by Boyd Mason North Vancouver 8a (I hope) on August 07, 2004 at 0:41 am PST.