Musa 'Royal Purple' - nice, cold-hardy ornamental
 

Again, the low in my yard was 8F (twice) this winter, so a zone 7b. Knoxville's official low was 13F. We only had one day with a high below freezing, and that was around 29F or 30F. Still, with only a couple of inches of mulch for protection, I was happy to see my Musa 'Royal Purple' return this year. It started sprouting in very early May, right around the first. Here's what it looks like today (admittedly, not much!). I like these pics for "before and after" pictures for later in the season. Only one bloom last year, hopefully I'll get at least two this season. Pics are in my gallery (somewhere) and in the ornamental bananas gallery (I think) of the bloom.

Re: Musa 'Royal Purple' - nice, cold-hardy ornamental
 

Hi Bigdog,

Do you get a bloom last year from a plant that overwintered in the ground?


Richard

Re: Musa 'Royal Purple' - nice, cold-hardy ornamental
 

Richard,

No, I started off with a small plant from Tom in St. Marys (you probably know him) last year, planted sometime in July. It bloomed in late August last year, so I imagine it will have plenty of time to bloom this year. I'll keep you posted though! Gary Hollar in New Bern, zone 8a, has a huge mat of this plant that blooms profusely.

Frank

Re: Musa 'Royal Purple' - nice, cold-hardy ornamental
 

Well, I'm not sure why it doesn't grow any quicker than it is now. I have found a few termites munching on some coleus (took care of them QUICKLY!) in a couple of beds, but do they eat banana roots? My other thought was voles, but wouldn't the plant be dead by now? Anyhow, here's what this pitiful little plant looks like today, after over a month and a half after sprouting from the ground.



I suppose it is growing, but I'm beginning to wonder if I'll get a bloom or not this year. At its current growth rate, probably not!

Re: Musa 'Royal Purple' - nice, cold-hardy ornamental
 

Don't know, but mine's blooming now
:2748:

Re: Musa 'Royal Purple' - nice, cold-hardy ornamental
 

It looks similar to a plant I have which was sold as merely Musa Violet. I an sure that is not it's real name.

My plant seems exceptionally cold hardy too.

Have any of you ever heard of M Violet? Is it really the same plant do you think?

Re: Musa 'Royal Purple' - nice, cold-hardy ornamental
 

I'm fairly confident that Musa sp. 'Violet' is an altogether different plant, but who knows? I could be wrong!!

Pics?

Re: Musa 'Royal Purple' - nice, cold-hardy ornamental
 

I can see I am going to spend Saturday photographing all my bananas!

Re: Musa 'Royal Purple' - nice, cold-hardy ornamental
 

if only their fruits are palatable ...