Hardy Banana or Japanese Banana

Dancing Oaks Nursery, Inc

Dancing Oaks Nursery, Inc

Common Name: Hardy Banana or Japanese Banana

Musa basjoo is a species banana native to the Ryukyu Islands off the south coast of Japan. It was introduced to Europe in the 1890's and is popular in both Europe and the USA. It grows to 25' and produces a small uneatable fruit. The leaves grow to 7' long and it makes an excellent structural plant in the garden providing an instant tropical look. It's hardy to around 0 °F without mulch and has survived -20 °F in Nebraska and Massachusetts when mulched with a pile of leaves 2' high. Gallon size plants grow to 6' the first year. Zone 5 with mulch, zone 7 without.