Peter and Emma Stav from Rayleigh, Essex, were astonished to see fruit on their 200 banana plants after 15 years. Peter, a 38-year-old school teacher, said he was "absolutely amazed."

Guy Barter from the Royal Horticultural Society noted "heat-loving plants" like olives, figs, and apricots are thriving, while traditional crops such as gooseberries and rhubarb decline. The chief horticulturist said bananas never flowered 20 years ago.

The Stavs created a "microclimate effect" with walls around plants nearly 3m (10ft) tall. This year's heatwave triggered fruiting. Stephen Hind of Pettistree also saw success with exotic plants.

Botanist James Wong said hotter temperatures make bananas "very easy" to grow, though Musa Basjoo fruit is inedible—"a mouthful of ball bearings." Growing bananas remains niche for average gardeners.