Incredibly architectural, award-winning Musa basjoo (Japanese Banana) is a fast-growing, suckering evergreen perennial boasting huge, arching, paddle-shaped leaves, up to 10 ft. long (3 m). Large cream to yellow flowers may appear in summer on mature plants. They are followed by inedible green fruit. The leaf sheaths overlap to form a trunk-like pseudostem. Each pseudostem has a limited lifespan. It only lives as long as it takes it to flower and produces fruit. After flowering and fruiting, the pseudostem dies, but the roots push out new shoots (banana pups) which form new pseudostems. Grown for its lush and dramatic foliage, this fascinating hardy banana species adds an exotic splash to gardens and containers.
Height: 10 - 15'
Spread: 6 - 8'
Spacing: 6 - 8'
Exposure: Full Sun