Hardy Fiber Banana
Musa basjoo
Considered the most cold hardy banana. Lush green foliage provides outstanding tropical effect, yet roots survive much colder temperatures than other bananas. A fast grower, with huge leaves that may reach 2 feet wide and 6 feet long. Produces attractive golden cream flowers and small, somewhat seedy fruit.
| Botanical Pronunciation: | MEW-suh BAS-joo |
| Key feature: | Tropical |
| Plant type: | Perennial |
| Garden style: | Tropical |
| Deciduous/evergreen: | Evergreen |
| Cold hardiness zones: | 5 - 11 |
| Light needs: | Full sun |
| Water Needs: | Needs regular watering - weekly, or more often in extreme heat. |
| Average landscape size: | Fast growth to 15 ft. tall, 8 to 10 ft. wide. |
| Growth rate: | Fast |
| Flower attribute: | Showy Flowers |
| Special features: | Year-round Interest |
| Landscape uses: | Border, Container, Poolside |
| Flower color: | Yellow |
| Blooms: | Summer |
| Foliage color: | Green |
| Item no.: | 6197 |
| Retailers for this plant: |
Care Information
Water regularly during first growing season to establish an extensive root system. Prune to 2 ft. above ground at first frost and apply mulch for winter protection. Remove mulch and feed with a general purpose fertilizer when new growth begins in spring.
Design Ideas
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. 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.
Companion Plants
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').
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 banana in the world.
Considered the most cold hardy banana. Lush green foliage provides outstanding tropical effect, yet roots survive much colder temperatures than other bananas. A fast grower, with huge leaves that may reach 2 feet wide and 6 feet long. Produces attractive golden cream flowers and small, somewhat seedy fruit.
Care Information
Water regularly during first growing season to establish an extensive root system. Prune to 2 ft. above ground at first frost and apply mulch for winter protection. Remove mulch and feed with a general purpose fertilizer when new growth begins in spring.
Design Ideas
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. 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.
Companion Plants
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').
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 banana in the world.
| Botanical Pronunciation: | MEW-suh BAS-joo |
| Key feature: | Tropical |
| Plant type: | Perennial |
| Garden style: | Tropical |
| Deciduous/evergreen: | Evergreen |
| Cold hardiness zones: | 5 - 11 |
| Light needs: | Full sun |
| Water Needs: | Needs regular watering - weekly, or more often in extreme heat. |
| Average landscape size: | Fast growth to 15 ft. tall, 8 to 10 ft. wide. |
| Growth rate: | Fast |
| Flower attribute: | Showy Flowers |
| Special features: | Year-round Interest |
| Landscape uses: | Border, Container, Poolside |
| Flower color: | Yellow |
| Blooms: | Summer |
| Foliage color: | Green |
| Item no.: | 6197 |
