Hardy Tropicals UK

Hi

I have many musa basjoo, a musella lasiocarpa, and an abyssinian, but want to try a new type.

Which others from experience are the most wind resistant please? I'd like a colourful plant preferably, and one that grows at least 4-5 feet

Thanks!

p.s
I'm in the south west so apart from last year, I don't worry about absolute hardiness; everything stays out all winter.

Bananas are not my strong point, but since no one else has answered...

The only one that doesn't get shredded here in Cornwall is Musella lasiocarpa.

Musa basjoo, 'Tibet', and sikkimensis have proved hardy.

Ensete ventricosum is hardy here for about three out of four years without protection; I lost it this last winter. The red forms are reputed to be hardier than the green.

'Helens hybrid' and 'Daj Giant' have not survived unprotected here.

Chad

Endorse Chad s list but adding Ensete montebelardii as the slimmer leaves (compared to maurellii) seem to shred less readily. .

Endorse Chad's list but adding Ensete montebelardii as the slimmer leaves (compared to maurellii) seem to shred less readily. .

I agree with the others , and was going to add Helen's Hardy which does alright for me but I suspect it is another name for Chads Helens Hybrid.

Lasiocarpa is a good one. My ensete hiniba is also pretty tolerant.

Thanks all, but from my opening post:

"I have many musa basjoo, a musella lasiocarpa, and an abyssinian, but want to try a new type"

There isn't another that would be wind tolerant that I can think of.

I think if you want to go bananas and you live in a windy spot like me, you have to go with the shredded leaf look its inevitable and actually, its a more natural look. Take a look at banana plantations hardly any I have seen have pristine leaves.

Tara_100 wrote: ↑Mon Aug 20, 2018 11:46 pm Thanks all, but from my opening post:

"I have many musa basjoo, a musella lasiocarpa, and an abyssinian, but want to try a new type"

That is a bit harsh! We each gave you one new option!

Chad.

chainsaw kid wrote: ↑Wed Aug 22, 2018 10:04 am I think if you want to go bananas and you live in a windy spot like me, you have to go with the shredded leaf look its inevitable and actually, its a more natural look. Take a look at banana plantations hardly any I have seen have pristine leaves.

The kids spot on there .

Ensete hiniba is quite wind resistant but I find all shred a bit.

I only have experience of growing two different banana species outside here in my exposed lancs garden. These are Musa basjoo and Musa sikkimensis Red Tiger.

Of the two. the M.sikkimensis has decidedly more robust leaves than the far more familiar M.basjoo. As a consequence, they don't tear so easily in strong winds, making this a better choice for windier sites. The downside is, M.s is not as hardy as M.basjoo but to my eyes has more 'classy' appearance.

I like Kite's choice of Red Tiger a nice looking plant. The last one I had got killed in 2010! I have never seen another one for sale. I must try harder.

chainsaw kid wrote: ↑Mon Aug 27, 2018 12:10 am I like Kite's choice of Red Tiger a nice looking plant. The last one I had got killed in 2010! I have never seen another one for sale. I must try harder

Kid
I bought one this year at Gardeners world live from Dessert to Jungle stall.