Monrovia : Learn

A cold hardy clumping banana from Japan makes an excellent tropical appearing accent in cool climate gardens. Leaves may reach 2 feet wide by 6 feet long for startling effects. Not particular about soil type but is a heavy feeder that depends on frequent doses of ammonium sulfate nitrogen and should be mulched in winter for best results. Flowers only when mature. Herbaceous subtropical that prefers even moisture all season. Full sun or part shade. Fast growth to tree-like proportions of 15 feet tall with a trunk diameter of up to one foot.

Performance and Requirements

Light needs: Full sun

Watering Needs: Needs regular watering - weekly, or more often in extreme heat.

Pruning Time: No Value

Growth Rate: Fast Growing

Growth Habit: Clumping

Design Information

Companion Plants

RAZZLEBERRI^® FRINGE FLOWER
Loropetalum chinense 'Monraz'

ZUNI CRAPE MYRTLE
Lagerstroemia indica x fauriei 'Zuni'

BALBOA SUNSET^® TRUMPET CREEPER
Campsis radicans 'Monbal'

ALL GOLD JAPANESE FOREST GRASS
Hakonechloa macra 'All Gold'

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Companion Plants (Description): Group these bananas with rugged cold resistant plants with a bold colorful tropical flare such as All Gold Japanese Forest Grass, (Hakonechola macra 'All Gold'), Balboa Sunset Trumpet Creeper, (Campsis radicans 'Monbal'), Lavender Chiffon Rose of Sharon, (Hibiscus syriacus 'Notwoodone'), Razzleberri Fringe Flower, (Loropetalum chinense rubrum 'Monraz') and Zuni Crape Myrtle, (Lagerstroemia indica x fauriei 'Zuni').

Design Styles: A perfect leafy banana for creating the tropical look in marginal climates. Use as foundation planting or to fill in sideyards to create a more lush appearance. An ideal plant near swimming pools that doesn't bloom nor litter. Plant in courtyard or patio for shade and screening. Suited to large pots for portable interest, with a series of identical pots for exotic effects in city gardens and rooftops with no planting space.

Display Uses: Border Plant, Container Gardening, Near Swimming Pools

Special Features: Year-round Interest, Showy Flowers

Care Information

Water regularly during first growing season to establish an extensive root system. Prune 2 ft. from the ground after first frost & pile leaves over the stump. Remove the mulch & feed with a general purpose fertilizer when plant begins growing in spring.

Background Information

History: This hardiest banana plant on earth hails from the Ryukyu Islands of Japan. However, evidence suggests that it may have originated in China and moved to Japan early on.

Lore: This is considered the be the most cold hardy bamboo in the world.

Botanical Pronunciation: MEW-suh BAS-joo

Catalog Description: A cold hardy clumping banana from Japan makes an excellent tropical appearing accent in cool climate gardens. Leaves may reach 2 feet wide by 6 feet long for startling effects. Not particular about soil type but is a heavy feeder that depends on frequent doses of ammonium sulfate nitrogen and should be mulched in winter for best results. Flowers only when mature. Herbaceous subtropical that prefers even moisture all season. Full sun or part shade. Fast growth to tree-like proportions of 15 feet tall with a trunk diameter of up to one foot.