About
A tender perennial with a bushy, clump-forming habit. In spring, upright stems with mid-green, arrowhead shaped aromatic leaves emerge. From mid-summer to mid-autumn, a succession of azure blue flowers are held above the foliage on thin stems.
About the genus
Musa are suckering evergreen perennials with very large, paddle-shaped leaves whose stalk-bases form a false stem, and clusters of tubular flowers with colourful bracts, followed by cylindrical fruits
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun
Soil typeSand, Loam, Clay, Chalk
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureWell-drained, Moist but well-drained
AspectSouth-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH3
Plant details
Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial, Bedding
HabitBushy, Clump forming
FoliageDeciduous
Height0.5-1 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height1-2 years
Suggested usesPatio and container plants, Mediterranean climate plants
Care notes
CultivationIn early spring remove dead stems. Provide protection during winter from frost.
PruningDeadhead by removing main flowering stem to encourage flowering side-shoots.
PropagationSow seed or take softwood cuttings and basal softwood cuttings in spring and summer. Divide in early spring.
Pest resistanceMaybe susceptible to leafhopper, slugs and snails.
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free.