Chinese Yellow Banana

Musa lasiocarpa

• Position: full sun to partial shade
• Soil: fertile, moist but well-drained soil
• Rate of growth: average
• Flowering period: July to September
• Hardiness: frost hardy (needs winter protection)

  
  Thought to be extinct only a decade ago, this handsome banana was found growing in remote regions of the Himalayas in southwest China. This clump-forming banana has huge, paddle-like, bright green leaves and mature specimens will produce long-lasting yellow, summer flowers. As the flower develops, the original plant will start to die, but it will produce off shoots and will continue to thrive. Although a cold snap will brown the foliage, the plant will bounce back and continue to grow.

• Garden care: Though the root is fairly hardy the foliage does need to be protected with a mulch of fleece and straw in autumn.