View Full Version : Zone 8b Banana Ornamental ?
RandyGHO
06-15-2012, 02:04 PM
After digging up all the old shrubs around and next to the house, I have a place on the northeast corner that needs something tall and somewhat wide. I have my edible banana plants on the south side of my house for cold protection.
Many have said a Basjoo is not only cold hardy but is quite nice to look at so I was thinking about that or a maybe a Mekong Giant. I really don't care if these fruit or not since this is more for looks. This corner will see wind for sure. Any suggestions or comments?
I am open to any other plants suggestion as well.
Randy
sunfish
06-15-2012, 02:21 PM
If it's windy I wouldn't plant a giant next to the house
RandyGHO
06-15-2012, 03:41 PM
Tony it is not windy all of the time but most strong winds come from the north and the east. My highest wind this month was only 28.9 mph.
The Mekong then is not wind sturdy plant I take it.
Simply Bananas
06-15-2012, 06:36 PM
My Bordelons look great this year! I would certainly plant a few of these.
coast crab
06-15-2012, 06:49 PM
I'm in 8b too, south Alabama.
If I could choose only one, it would be ice cream. It's big, fast growing, hardy and BEAUTIFUL. Mine is about to bloom, so I may actually get bananas this fall, so that's a plus.
Russell
RandyGHO
06-16-2012, 01:45 PM
Bordelon, that is interesting and might be just the right plant. I look in your gallery. You have really nice plants. Thanks for the idea.
Russell, I do have an ice cream on the south side of the house. How did you winter protect yours? I use to live in Alabama.
Randy
coast crab
06-16-2012, 03:11 PM
Randy, I don't do anything to protect it. Most of my bananas are under the canopy of a massive live oak, so that's it. Last winter it came through just fine, but the 2 before that killed it to the ground both years. So I started out this year with mature plants and I'm way ahead of the game. It looks pretty much like what you see in my gallery so no need to update the pictures!
RandyGHO
06-16-2012, 04:26 PM
Russell I really enjoyed looking at your pictures. I am at the top of zone 8b so I will have to have winter protection. I have to protect my citrus trees every year so I have a bit of know how going into winter protection that should apply to bananas.
Randy
Simply Bananas
06-16-2012, 05:57 PM
Bordelon, that is interesting and might be just the right plant. I look in your gallery. You have really nice plants. Thanks for the idea.
Randy
Here's a shot of them this afternoon:
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y274/porkpi/80fb7aca.jpg
RandyGHO
06-16-2012, 07:00 PM
That is quite spectacular. Thanks so much for posting the picture. It looks like a perfect fit for the spot I picked out.
I read where it pups a lot. Does it get out of control if not tended?
Randy
Simply Bananas
06-16-2012, 08:41 PM
That is quite spectacular. Thanks so much for posting the picture. It looks like a perfect fit for the spot I picked out.
I read where it pups a lot. Does it get out of control if not tended?
Randy
I do very little tending. I will dig a clump every now and then for folks, but these look great in a mat as opposed to onesie twosies.
coast crab
06-16-2012, 09:42 PM
Randy, where are you? 8b covers a lot of territory.
My neighbors behind me have a beautiful mat of bordelon, but it's big. It also seems to appreciate more sun than I can give it. But then maybe in more shade it's not quite so aggressive.
RandyGHO
06-17-2012, 11:04 AM
I am in South Georgia.
Yes I think bordelon will be my choice. I will start a search for them around here and the internet.
Randy
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