Chiswick Goes Bananas in September Heatwave

Surprising fruit harvest in Bedford Park garden


Bananas in Bedford Park. Picture: Caroline Williams

September 10, 2023

Fruit has appeared on banana plants in a Chiswick garden as the area as September temperatures soared to the highest level so far this year.

According to owner Caroline Williams, this is the first time ‘in many years’ that the trees on Esmond Road in Bedford Park has borne fruit.

The late summer heatwave has prompted a crop from the tropical plant at a location that is believed to have been an orchard growing more traditional British fruits before being developed into housing.

It is possible that the bananas may not be that appetising as the long yellow bananas available at supermarkets are specially cultivated to have a sweet taste while the small green bananas on the tree are likely to have a bitter taste.

Temperatures this week have risen to the highest level this year, and this is understood to be the first time since records began that the UK was hottest in September.

Other banana plant owners across London have previously reported that they have produced fruit, but the Royal Horticultural Society says that it is rare for them to flower or fruit outside in the UK and they are best grown in in a heated greenhouse or conservatory.

 

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