Musella lasiocarpa is a great plant for a tropical effect in cooler climate zones. It is not a true banana, but a banana relative, and has a smaller, shrub-like form. It can produce a large, lotus-shaped, waxy yellow flower that will remain in bloom for six months.

The Chinese yellow banana is endemic to the Yunnan province of China, and it grows in mountains up to 2500 meters in altitude. Its flower is known as the Golden Lotus Flower, a sacred flower in local Buddhism.

It will eventually form a large clump, up to 15 feet in diameter and 5 feet high.

Hardiness

The Chinese yellow banana is considered root-hardy to zone 6. Plants resist light frost but die back at 28° F.

Winter Protection

Cut back leaves after soon after light frost damage occurs. Spray the root crown with a fungicide to prevent fungal rot during the winter. Use heavy mulch around the root crown to protect from freezing. Gradually remove the mulch in late winter-early spring as the risk of a hard freeze passes.

Growing Tips

Grow in full sun to partial shade. Musella lasiocarpa prefers even moisture throughout the growing season. Leaves may be shredded or dried out in a windy location; pick a site with some wind protection.

Musa basjoo is generally considered the most cold-hardy banana.

While it does grow in Japan, the Japanese fiber banana is native to the Ryukyu Archipelago, which lies between Japan and Taiwan. It is also very common in parts of China.

Its large, tropical foliage and fast growth rate make it ideal for a dramatic feature in the tropicalesque garden. It will eventually form a large, deep green clump, up to at least 18 feet tall.

Hardiness

Musa basjoo is somewhat unique in that it will actively grow in cool weather. The banana will continue growing until temperatures reach approximately 40° F. It will resist light frost, but die back at 28° F. It is is considered root-hardy to zone 6, and will survive a zone 5 winter with heavy mulch.

Winter Protection

Cut back leaves after soon after light frost damage occurs. Spray the root crown with a fungicide to prevent fungal rot during the winter. Use heavy mulch around the root crown to protect from freezing. Gradually remove the mulch in late winter-early spring as the risk of a hard freeze passes.

Growing Tips

Grow in full sun to partial shade. Musa basjoo thrives on plenty of fertilizer and water during the growing season. It will do well with a regular application of balanced liquid fertilizer applied weekly during the summer. While it is a heavy feeder, be careful not to burn the plant with too high a concentration of fertilizer. Top-dressing with composted manure is another popular feeding method. Leaves may be shredded or dried out in a windy location; pick a site with some wind protection.

Bananas can add an instant tropical look to any landscape. They are fast-growing, with huge, tropical-looking leaves. Although the cold-hardy temperate varieties listed below rarely fruit in colder climates, they are valuable for their dramatic foliage.

Musa basjoo has long been considered the hardiest banana. It should be hardy to zone 6, and it has been overwintered in zone 5 with a heavy mulch.

Musella lasiocarpa and Musa sikkimensis have also been recognized as very hardy, although preliminary trials suggest that they are slightly less hardy than Musa basjoo.

Here are some popular hardy bananas to try growing in your garden:

• Musa basjoo (Japanese fiber banana)
• Musella lasiocarpa (Chinese yellow banana)
• Musa sikkimensis (Sikkim banana)