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Hardy Banana

Musa Basjoo

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Overview

Musa basjoo, or Hardy Banana, is a robust herbaceous perennial, reaching heights of 6-14 ft with a 6-10 ft spread. Its pseudo-stem and broad, arching leaves create a tropical effect. Hardy to USDA Zone 7, it survives temperatures down to 0°F when mulched. Fast-growing, it prefers full sun to partial shade and moist, well-drained soil. Not a fruit producer, but its dramatic foliage provides a lush, exotic landscape element.

Sun Full, HalfWater HighZones 10–11Type PerennialClimate Subtropical
Hardy Banana (Musa Basjoo) — perennial for full or half

Culture

Sun
Full, Half
Water
High
USDA zones
10–11

Shape & size

Classification

Type
Perennial
Family
Musaceae
Climate
Subtropical

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Photos (59)

Hardy Banana (Musa Basjoo) — Hardy to USDA Zone 7, it survives temperatures down to 0°F when mulched; fast-growing, it prefers full sun to partial shade
Hardy Banana (Musa Basjoo) — Hardy to USDA Zone 7, it survives temperatures down to 0°F when mulched; fast-growing, it prefers full sun to, image 44
Hardy Banana (Musa Basjoo) — to ensure year-round enjoyment of this exotic beauty; such as mulching around the base to protect the rhizome in colder climates
Hardy Banana (Musa Basjoo) — the creamy-yellow flowers that precede it add a unique point of interest in the summer; be sure to educate the client, image 54
Hardy Banana (Musa Basjoo) — emerging from stout trunks that are actually pseudo-stems composed of leaf sheaths
Hardy Banana (Musa Basjoo) — emerging from stout trunks that are actually pseudo-stems composed of leaf sheaths; is a striking addition to any temperate
Hardy Banana (Musa Basjoo) — yellow flowers in the garden; its pseudo-stem and broad, arching leaves create a tropical effect, image 58
Hardy Banana (Musa Basjoo) — reaching heights of 6-14 ft with a 6-10 ft spread; capable of withstanding temperatures as low as -20°F when properly mulched
Hardy Banana (Musa Basjoo) — Be sure to educate the client on winter care practices
Hardy Banana (Musa Basjoo) — bright green leaves that can reach lengths of 6 to 10 feet and widths of up to 2 feet; is a robust herbaceous perennial, image 52
Musa Basjoo
Photographs by 6 contributors

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