The Purple Abyssinian Banana is one of the most imposing plants that can be grown outside in the UK, albeit for only the frost free months. Huge paddle-shaped leaves, stained almost black purple, erupt stiffly from a bulbous purple trunk giving a presence and intensity of colour that is almost unrivalled. Ensete ventricosum 'Maurelii' is almost impossible to overfeed or overwater when actively growing, these monsters repay your efforts in this direction with vigorous growth, sometimes making a new 2.5m leaf each week! Dig and store dry in the shed over winter or squeeze into a small pot in the greenhouse.

• Origin: Africa
• Genus: Ensete
• Species: ventricosum 'Maurelii'
• Synonym: Ensete maurelii, Musa ensete 'Rubra', Ensete 'Tandarra Red'
• Common Name: Purple Abyssinian Banana
• Situation: Full sun, rich, moist, well-drained soil
• Eventual height: 5m
• Eventual spread: 2.5m
• Hardiness: -2C
• Skill level: Easy