Musa velutina (Pink Banana)

Cold-hardy, Musa velutina (Pink Banana) is a dwarf, suckering evergreen perennial boasting paddle-shaped, dark green leaves, 3 ft. long (90 cm). Arching spikes of cream to yellow flowers adorned with showy pink-red bracts appear in summer. They are followed by bright, velvety, pink bananas that contain numerous black seeds and creamy white flesh. While edible, these bananas are so seedy that they are not worth the trouble to eat. Shortly after they ripen, they split open. The leaf sheaths overlap to form a trunk-like pseudostem. Each pseudostem has a limited lifespan. It only lives as long as it takes it to flower and produces fruit. After flowering and fruiting, the pseudostem dies, but the roots push out new shoots (banana pups) which form new pseudostems. This small banana plant is typically used in the landscape for its ornamental appeal and highly decorative fruits. Evergreen in frost-free areas, Pink Banana will die to the ground in cold winter areas, returning in the spring.

• Recipient of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society.
• Grows up to 5-7 ft. tall and wide (150-210 cm).
• Performs best in full sun in humus-rich, well-drained soils. Best growth occurs with consistently moist soils that do not dry out. Banana trees do not do well in drought conditions since they need to be watered often for proper growth. Shelter from the wind to prevent the leaves from being damaged. Fertilize plants regularly during the growing season.
• A great choice for containers or Mediterranean gardens where it will proudly stand out.
• Disease free. Keep an eye out for glasshouse red spider mite, mealybugs, and aphids.
• Propagate by seed or divide established clumps
• Native to India.