Musa basjoo

Name

Musa Basjoo

Common name

Hardy Japanese banana

What you get

You will recieve a 2ltr pot the leaves have been trimmed for winter

About

Musa basjoo is by far the hardiest of bananas nothing says exotic like basjoo! A fleshy stem grows from an underground huge rhizome the stem can reach 3m or more on top of the stem are huge bright green leaves over 2m long. When mature basjoo will form a clump of up to 10 stems after 4-5 years a stem will flower and produce a hand of small bananas if your lucky that stem will then die but more will be produced from the base.

Origin

China and Japan

Planting and care

Musa Basjoo needs moist rich soil and a sheltered position with plenty of food and water through the growing season. For winter protection cut the leaves off and cut the stem down to 4-5ft then if you can get some put a piece of corrourgated land drain over the stem then place a pot on top if you have a clump place bamboo canes around the edge tie some chicken wire to the canes then fill with straw and cover with plastic.

Planting Companion

Canna indica purpurea

Hedychium greeni