Bananas sprout in Rayleigh Garden UK after 15 years
18 hours ago
- Warmer UK climate enables banana plants, traditionally not flowering 20 years ago, to fruit, as seen in Essex and Suffolk.
- Tropical plant enthusiasts Peter and Emma Stav harvested bananas after 15 years, using walls to create a microclimate for winter protection.
- Heat-loving plants like olives, figs, and apricots thrive while traditional British crops like gooseberries and rhubarb decline in some areas.
- Experts note that Musa Basjoo bananas, while hardy, produce inedible fruit and require insulation in cold or exposed areas for successful growth.
- Increased temperatures and heatwaves contribute to banana plants fruiting unexpectedly, making cultivation easier in the UK, though still niche for most people.