The name ‘banana’ is used both for the herbaceous plant and the fruits, produced by it. produce large, elegant leaves and the occasional bunch of fruits, which certainly make a majestic addition to any garden or conservatory. Plant in late spring, in a well-drained soil, enriched with organic matter (such as garden compost). However, Musa looks fantastic in a bold border, with other strong foliage plants, such as the canna lily, or contrasting with finer leaved plants like bamboos. Musa ornata AGM: Attractive flowers and may produce inedible fruits. Find out all you need to know about growing Musa, in this detailed Grow Guide. While grown for its dramatic, enormous leaves, you may be lucky to see fruits develop, although these are rarely edible in the UK – they need months of heat and sun to ripen. Highly-scented, it was launched to a frenzy of interest at the Chelsea Flower Show 2005. In a conservatory or greenhouse, Musa lasiocarpa, M. ornata, M. veluntina, M. acuminata ‘Dwarf Cavendish’, ‘Orinoco’ and ‘Rajapuri’, are likely to flower and may fruit once established. Height 4m (13ft). The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. Musa is the most commonly grown banana plant in the UK. For cool conservatories or overwintered in frost-free greenhouses: Musa acuminata ‘Dwarf Cavendish’ AGM: Large leaves, sometimes marked red. Height 2-3m (6½-10ft). In this clp from gardeners’ World, Monty Don shows you how to gradually harden off a beautiful but tender banana plant: Look for small, suckering shoots at the base of your banana plant. Buy top quality banana plants on-line. £17.50 each. times, RHS Registered Charity no. Join the RHS today and support our charitable work, Keep track of your plants with reminders & care tips – all to help you grow successfully, For the latest on RHS Shows in 2020 and 2021, read more, RHS members get free access to RHS Gardens, Free entry to RHS members at selected times », Reduced prices on RHS Garden courses and workshops, Our Garden Centres and online shops are packed with unique and thoughtful gifts and decorations to make your Christmas sparkle, General enquiries Planting a large and spectacular Abyssinian banana plant (Ensete ventricosum ‘Maurelii’) with beautiful plum-tinged foliage, he explains how to prepare the soil, what size hole to dig, and how to position it to best effect. Check the roots and increase or decrease watering as necessary. The size of dwarf … Height: about 1.5m (5ft). Musa balbisiana: Attractive bluish-green leaves. More on growing bananas: Height 3-4.5m (10-14ft). Cold, sun scorch and hail also damage foliage. Garden plants are usually grown for their ornamental foliage. Free UK mainland Delivery. 222879/SC038262, File one side of the seeds lightly and soak in warm water for 24 hours, Sow individually, 1cm (3/8in) deep, in pots of seed compost, Place in a warm location, at a temperature of 21-24ºC (70-75ºF). Quite hardy and wind-resistant. Feed at weekly intervals during the spring and summer with a general-purpose liquid feed, or mix a controlled-release fertiliser into compost when potting. Brown edges suggest a lack of water or humidity. Banana plants need plenty of wrapping in winter to keep them warm. Hardier species, such as Musa basjoo, can be left in situ over winter, and it is generally recommended to wrap plants to protect from cold weather. Musa acuminata ‘Zebrina’ AGM: Grown for its red-striped foliage. Once established in 30cm (10in) pots, increase size by 10-15cm (4-6 inches) every two to three years. Although it will produce small bananas in maturity this plant is usually grown as an attractive architectural plant. Height 4m (13ft). Suitable for container cultivation. Die-back of the crown is usually due to cold damage, but may also be due to rot encouraged by excessive moisture.