Michelia figo (Lour.) Sprengel Banana Shrub A dense evergreen shrub with leathery leaves and cup-shaped, fruity-scented flowers, native of SE China and commonly cultivated, flowering in March-May. Shrub to 6m; leaves 3-8cm long, stalkless or with very short stalks, elliptic to oblanceolate. Buds covered with red-brown down. Flowers creamy-white to yellowish inside, usually purplish outside, about 3cm across. Suits any good soil in sun or part shade, with water in summer. Min. - 5°C.