Banana trees have really become popular the last few years. We are evaluating them here at MSU’s Truck Crops Experiment Station in Crystal Springs to help you make the right choice for your landscape.
The flowering banana is one of the most-cold hardy species. It normally survives over the entire state. It’s not edible, but it does produce tropical foliage and an alluring hot pink blossom.
In our trials, we have some banana trees with even more colorful flowers like this one called African Red, and this unique variety called Bronze.
But sometimes, the foliage alone stands out and creates that exotic island atmosphere.
Siam Ruby is a great example. Its burgundy red leaves and trunk have exciting irregular, lime green variegation. Siam Ruby looks great partnered with the chartreuse colored Gold Mound duranta.
Another foliage beauty is the Red Abyssinian banana. Here in this Kosciusko, Mississippi garden they have reached huge proportions and they appear to be hand-painted in shades of red, burgundy and green. The Red Abyssinian also makes an ideal thriller plant for mixed containers.
One of the newest bananas is the Black Thai from Thailand. It differs from Siam Ruby in that it has a deep dark purple psuedostem or trunk. The color even carries upward to the leaf petiole or stem.
It is cold hardy and grows with abandon. This one grew from a small plant in April to this size by mid-July. Here in this island-like cottage garden, the Black Thai is partnered with colorful red coleus.
It’s been a hot summer, but tropicals like the bananas I’ve shown you, literally thrive in the heat. I hope you’ll give them a try. I’m Norman Winter for Southern Gardening.