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Musa basjoo, the ultimate UK Hardy Banana Tree.

Family Musaceae. Originating from China.
Received the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit.

• Massive architectural leaves create immediate jungle drama in UK gardens.
• Proven root-hardy perennial returning reliably with rapid spring growth.
• Forms impressive multi-stemmed clumps topped with exotic summer blooms.

The Hardy Banana Tree In Your Garden

A cornerstone of exotic planting in the UK. With massive paddle-shaped leaves and a clump-forming habit, this robust perennial brings tropical scale to temperate spaces. Mature stems reach 3m, creating an imposing canopy that transforms ordinary borders into lush jungle retreats.

Root hardy in all but the coldest UK gardens, we were amazed to see it regrow after the freezing 2009 winter. Temperatures of -14 were recorded at our Costessey branch near Norwich, with snow and frozen-solid ground for weeks. Our clump produced shoots in late spring which reached 1m tall by late summer!

During warm summers, established specimens can produce an extraordinary pendulous inflorescence. Protected by thick spathes, these large flower structures slowly open over several weeks to reveal yellow blooms followed by small green fruits. A trunk (or pseudostem) requires a minimum of two seasons to flower and fruit. After doing so, it dies, and the young shoots around its base take over.  

Did you know?

The fibres of Musa basjoo are used to produce a traditional, lightweight textile called bashōfu (banana cloth), famous for items like summer kimonos and cushions. They are woven into breathable, stiff-yet-soft textiles that do not stick to the skin in high humidity, as well as handcrafted banana paper.

Growing Tips for Your Hardy Banana Tree, Musa basjoo

• Soil and Sun: full sun or dappled shade in any soil.
• Planting: from late spring to early autumn. Never plant a dry plant! Plunge the pot or stand in water for 10 minutes to drench the root ball before planting. To supercharge, dig in organic matter, ideally horse manure, to the bottom of the planting hole.
• Watering and Care: This remarkably tough plant tolerates dry spells once established, with reduced lushness. Feed and water this gross feeder heavily to achieve optimal growth. A pampered hardy banana tree can deliver massive growth.
• Overwintering: protection is optional. Building a shelter around it, or wrapping your banana trunks, may protect their growing tips. This means that growth commences next spring from the top of the trunk. However, you must both insulate and ventilate the upper trunk to prevent it from rotting.
• During mild winters, the tops of trunks may survive without protection. Heavy mulching with straw can help the roots reshoot early in spring, achieving up to 3m in a summer.

• Height and Spread after 5-10 years: 4m x 4m.

The massive crowns of foliage atop a clump of many stems are a truly unique sight in the UK. Their architectural impact makes them a rare Urban Jungle herbaceous recommendation for contemporary gardens. Plant in jungle or woodland shelter to protect its leaves, set up a hammock and tear up the long-haul ticket! Order your instant exotic holiday Hardy Banana Tree today!