Re: M. basjoo in Zone 9a (Sunset 14)?
In Zone 9A CA you have many more options than Musa Basjoo! That's about our only option here in Norway! Musa Basjoo is almost idiot-proof and very cold hardy, but does not have fruit-quality or too showy inflorescence. From what I understand it's been a terribly and unusually cold year in all of CA. Since you state that you do not want fruit, musa Basjoo is a possibility.
But the different types of banana-plants can look very different. For colour you might want to add Musa Sikkimensis, wich is also a heavyweighter in terms of cold-hardiness. Musa Basjoo is plain-lime-green, and has relatively large folds in the leaves. Musa Balbisiana has rounded leaf-bases, and tends to be huge and waxy. Musa Cheesmani has an almost black stem, and carries it's long, slender leaves almost horizontally, and the dwarf forms such as dwarf brazilian can carry it's short and wide leaves almost upright. So many choices for a z9 gardener!
If you should want fruit someday, I would try some of the hardier cultivars.
From the top of my head, I can say that some people on this board from CA have had success growing Rajapuri, Apple, Orinoco, and Brazilian. Ice Cream might be a good option for you too.
It's good that you included bananas in your designs, because the tropical and luxurious impact of these plants are really worth the effort.
Good luck
Erlend
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