Musella lasiocarpa is an exciting banana relative that comes from high altitudes (to frosty 2800m / 9200ft!) in the Yunnan province in China. The maximum height of the plant is only about 1.5m / 5ft, half of which is a very stout, conical trunk, topped by a crown of handsome, slightly glaucous, broad leaves. From early age, the rhizome produces many suckers. The "flower", which is big and bright yellow, appears in its second year, and grows upright at the top of the trunk. As the inflorescence grows in size, tiny 'bananas' begin to appear under each bract which curls back to reveal the fruits.

The seed germinates easily, and subsequent seedling growth is as you might expect, very fast. Musella appreciates heavy watering and feeding and a place in full sun. It will flourish in all climates from cool tropical down to temperate, where it will be found to be root hardy, enduring even cold winters with its underground rhizome, just like the well known "Hardy Banana", Musa basjoo. It also makes a perfect conservatory plant which will be a true conversation piece that certainly will not outgrow its location.

Publisher: Hirts Gardens