Musa basjoo

While commonly known as the Japanese or hardy banana, Musa basjoo is now thought to originate from the Sichuan province of China.

Musa basjoo grows to the size of a small tree, so gardeners are often shocked when the foliage dies back when the first frosts arrive. This is nothing to worry about, though – think of it as an enormous herbaceous perennial that, in the UK climate, dies back in winter to the roots and will produce new growth in spring.

When temperatures warm in spring, Musa basjoo will grow quickly to produce large, exotic leaves and will appreciate regular watering and feeding to sustain this growth. It looks brilliant in a sub-tropical border with plants like hedychiums, hardy scheffleras and persicarias.

For best results, grow Musa basjoo in full sun or partial shade in moist, well-drained soil that has had lots of organic matter incorporated to boost fertility. While they are reputedly hardy down to -15ºC, they may require some winter protection in the form of a thick layer of protective mulch over the roots and a layer of horticultural fleece around the pseudostem. In milder locations and sheltered microclimates, you might be able to get away with no winter protection at all.

Musa basjoo holds the Royal Horticultural Society’s prestigious Award of Garden Merit (AGM).