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Jill, the idea of tropicals in the North fascinates me. I am another zone 6'er. But digging/storing is a challenge for me and I have dahlias frozen in the ground to prove it. Have you tried any hardy bananas? I just bought seed for Musa sikkimensis (Darjeeling banana) and Musella lasiocarpa (Chinese dwarf banana) that are supposedly hardy to "at least" zone 6 with winter mulching, much like M. basjoo. My idea is much the same as yours...an oasis with large leaves, tropical colors (fuschia, blazing orange, bright purple, chartruese), maybe even some cannas in pots.
Thanks for the wonderful article. You are an inspiration! wish me luck...jan
Good luck! I think hardy bananas are a wonderful idea, and I may switch to them someday... I have this delusion that my bananas could produce fruit, so I wanted delectable, edible varieties. If/when I give up that dream, or when we just can't haul those babies to the basement each winter, hardy bananas may replace them.
I'm no expert on cannas, but I'm wondering if you couldn't plant them in plastic pots, maybe even mesh ones or pots with lots of big holes drilled into the bottom and sides... then you could plunge the plastic pots into large containers or even into your bed. That would help keep them well watered (smaller containers are easier to handle but always dry out faster on me) but still make it simple to "lift" them in fall. People do this with plumerias...
Jill, hope this isn't getting boring for you, but here's another of your articles I really enjoyed! Isn't it cool that plant addiction is paying off for you?
Also, good thought on the cannas and plumies in plastic, then large pot. I keep looking at containers but they are so hard to keep watered for me.
When they fruit, I’ll feel my efforts have been repaid a thousand times over.
Don't you mean IF they fruit? Neither of us have the energy for that kind of endeavor - and there are no strong backs in the family. Best of luck! x, Carrie
Thanks, Jill. I had the same thought on the bananas. I know they won't have any edible fruit, and I hope you do get some, but I can get good bananas at the grocery store, even in January. I just want to boggle the neighbors minds LOL
Jill, that is so cool, love your article and you just gave me an idea! I don't know if anyone grows bananas in Romania, but I sure would love to try!
Adina
