This hardy banana has blazed a trail into the idyllic island in each of us: bold 8-foot long leaves on clumping plants to 15 feet tall. Don’t be put off by the occasional tattered leaf; that is the nature and part of the look of banana plants. If you live in a bit colder climate as we do, you might even enjoy the wintertime brown and tattered leaves, especially if you are a photographer. Here in Western Oregon, it is perennial. Protect from summer wind, and rich, moist soil is preferred but it will handle clay pretty well.

Mature size: up to 15 feet tall

Minimum temperature: 0F