Ethiopian black banana (or Abyssinian red banana)

The tropical style planting in front of South Lodge on the Thompson Road drive this year extends round the cottage, giving an even more spectacular effect.  The most dramatic plant contributing to this is E. ventricosum ‘Maurelii’, with  its huge paddle shaped leaves, olive green with red midribs and rich burgundy developing on the undersides.  These don’t shred in wind as the other banana related plants do.  It is a fast-growing herbaceous perennial which can reach 3m by 2m.