Although tropical and sub-tropical, and assumed intolerant of cold, several species of banana, Genera Musa and Musella, survive quite well in Durham. Currently in the Arboretum collection are Musa basjoo, aka Hardy Japanese Banana, M. velutina, M. sikkimensis, and Musella lasiocarpa, the Dwarf Yunnan Banana. Bananas are valuable in the garden for the large foliar texture they impart, and the tropical hints they add to the landscape. Culturally, they can be treated as large, very large!, perennials, and require little more than good light, moderate water, and average soil-- though they do repay the gardener that treats them to abundant water and food. As for cold, a generous winter mulch in the first year or two is beneficial.
