Musa lasiocarpa

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Chinese dwarf bananaPerennial, DeciduousFamily: Musaceae

Height: 2mSpread: 2m
Half hardy, Hardy

Flower colour:

Yellow

Foliage colour:

Green

Position

Sun Exposure:

Dappled shade, full sun, partial shade

Aspect:

South facing, west facing

Position in Border:

Front, middle

Soil

Prefers rich soil:

Acidic / Chalky / Alkaline / Clay / Heavy / Moist / Well Drained / Light / Sandy

Chinese dwarf banana or golden lotus banana, Musa lasiocarpa, is native to the mountains of China, at altitudes of around 2500m. Sufficiently hardy to be grown outside in the British Isles, it bears a large rosette of yellow bracts, which looks similar to a lotus (hence one of its common names). Tiny flowers grow in between the bracts. Its leaves have a slight glaucous sheen to them and are more resistant to wind than other bananas in the Musa genus. It’s ideal for growing in a tropical style garden.

Grow Musa lasiocarpa in moist but well-drained soil in full sun to partial shade. Protect with fleece and add a thick mulch to cover the roots over winter.

Plant calendar

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecPlantyes**yesFlowersyesyesyes**yesPruneyes**yes

Musa ‘lasiocarpa’ and wildlife

Musa ‘lasiocarpa’ has no particular known value to wildlife in the UK.

Is Musa ‘lasiocarpa’ poisonous?

Musa ‘lasiocarpa’ has no toxic effects reported.

No reported toxicity to:

Is not known to attract Birds

Birds

Is not known to attract Cats

Cats

Is not known to attract Dogs

Dogs

Is not known to attract Horses

Horses

Is not known to attract Livestock

Livestock

Is not known to attract People

People