Perennials, Tropicals > Musa > Musa basjoo > Musa basjoo
Musa basjoo
Japanese Banana
Origin: Southwest China and the Himalayan region, although commonly cultivated in the Japanese Ryukyu Islands, hence its common name.
Mike's
Opinion
"
A striking plant for use in the tropical garden, bold in form and tropical in character they are punctuations points in the temperate garden.
Michael Pascoe, NDP., ODH., CLT., MSc. (Plant Conservation)
"
| Family |
| Musaceae |
| Genus |
| Musa |
| Species |
| basjoo |
| Category |
| Perennials, Tropicals |
| USDA Hardiness Zone |
| 7 (possibly 6 with heavy mulch and winter protection) |
| Canadian Hardiness Zone |
| 6 |
| RHS Hardiness Zone |
| H6 |
| Temperature (°C) |
| -10 |
| Temperature (°F) |
| 14 |
| Height |
| 1 - 1.5 m |
| Spread |
| 1-1.5 m |
Photographs
Cultivars
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Description and Growing Information
Flowering Period
| Landscape |
| Commonly cultivated in the Ryukyu Islands as a source of fibre, where the leaves and stems are processed for their extremely resilient yet soft fibres. |
| Cultivation |
| To overwinter on the edge of its top hardiness, cut the plant back to about 1 m, wrap chicken wire around the stems 30 cm or more than the cut back height, forming a cage. Pack the cage with straw firmly and line the outside of with fleece to protect against harsh winter winds. Top the structure with a piece of rigid plastic to shed winter rains. Remove winter protection after the last frost in the spring. |
| Growth |
| Fast |
| Pests |
| No major pests. |
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