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Musa basjoo
Plant Family
Musaceae
Musa basjoo
Photo by: JAMES BURGHARDT
Plant Common Name
Hardy Banana
General Description
Hardy banana is an evergreen, tree-like perennial native to Japan. Its immense, arching, paddle shaped leaves with horizontal ribbed veins are striking year round, or in summer and fall in areas subject to freezes. In summer, it bears pendent spikes of flowers in the axils of large brown bracts. The flowers sometimes give rise to bunches of small unpalatable bananas. Hardy banana prefers sun, ample summer moisture, and well drained, fertile soil. As its leaves are easily tattered by wind, it does best in sheltered areas. Said to be the hardiest banana, it will often regrow from the base if frozen to the ground, provided it is well mulched. It also does well in containers moved indoors for the winter. Use it as a a specimen plant for tropical effect.
Characteristics
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AHS Heat Zone
12 - 8
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USDA Hardiness Zone
7 - 11
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Sunset Zone
H1, H2, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
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Plant Type
Perennial
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Sun Exposure
Full Sun
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Height
10'-15' / 3.0m - 4.6m
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Width
8'-12' / 2.4m - 3.7m
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Bloom Time
Summer
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Native To
Japan
Ornamental Features
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Flower Interest
Showy
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Flower Color
Yellow, Brown
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Fruit Color
Yellow Green
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Foliage Color (Spring)
Green
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Foliage Color (Summer)
Green
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Foliage Color (Fall)
Green
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Foliage Color (Winter)
Green
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Bark Color
Green, Tan
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Fragrant Flowers
No
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Fragrant Fruit
No
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Fragrant Foliage
No
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Bark or Stem Fragrant
No
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Flower Petal Number
Single
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Repeat Bloomer
Yes
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Showy Fruit
Yes
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Edible Fruit
No
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Showy Foliage
Yes
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Foliage Texture
Bold
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Foliage Sheen
Glossy
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Evergreen
Yes
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Showy Bark
No
Special Characteristics
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Usage
Bedding Plant, Container, Feature Plant, Foundation, Houseplant, Mixed Border, Tropical
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Sharp or Has Thorns
No
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Invasive
No
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Self-Sowing
No
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