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Musella lasiocarpa - Hardy Golden Lotus banana

Just £9.99
1 x 9cm Pot - SKU: 680085
Just £9.99
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Key Features

  • Grown for fabulous large paddle shaped leaves as an architectural focal point
  • The toughest and hardiest of all the ornamental bananas in the UK
  • Does not produce fruit though - but does boast amazing yellow flowers after five years or so
  • Grow in a large pot in sunny, warm spots for maximum annual growth. Allow to die back each winter
  • Supplied as an established plant in a 9cm pot, roughly 30cm tall
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Description

Without doubt, the toughest and hardiest of all ornamental bananas in the UK, it is grown for its dramatic and tough leaves, and, once mature, its amazing and long-lasting golden-yellow flowers - hence its name.

From high up in the Chinese mountains of Yunnan, where it is exposed to temperatures well below freezing, so is naturally very tough. It forms a much thicker and sturdier trunk-stem than other bananas, which is very tough and hardy. Even if leaves are damaged by frosts, more and new leaves emerge in spring, as well as numerous 'pups' round the side.

The flower is in fact its last hurrah, as the 6 month epic flower display is a sign the plant will die - but fear not, you will have plenty of established pups round the side in a clump, each of which will grow and develop to maturity too. It is thus best regarded as a clump forming perennial.

It is also much shorter and less vigorous than other huge banana plants too at around 4-5ft tall maximum, making it ideal for large pots in small gardens - grow in full sun or shade, it makes a great talking point. Note - it does not produce any edible banana fruit, or even tiny ornamental ones.

Very easy to grow, and a great, exotic-looking patio focal point. Supplied as an established plant in a 9cm pot.

Top Tips

Musella lasiocapa are best grown in large pots and moved into a frost-free place to over-winter.

Care Information

Planting Advice for Bananas:

  • When growing outdoors, choose a site that is sheltered from the wind both for winter protection and also to prevent leaves being shredded.
  • Plant in late spring, in a well-drained soil, that has been enriched with plenty of organic matter.
  • Once plants are established, water and feed generously through the summer as they are greedy feeders.
  • Musa basjoo, can be left in situ over winter, although we do recommend that plants are wrapped to protect from cold weather.

When growing bananas in containers:

  • Grow in a soil-based compost with extra grit added to improve drainage.
  • Container-grown plants need ample watering during spring and summer months plus a weekly feed during the spring and summer with a general-purpose liquid feed, or a controlled-release fertiliser.
  • In autumn, over winter plants in a frost-free greenhouse or conservatory and reduce watering and feeding - watering only when on the dry side in winter.

Aftercare Advice:

  • Pot on in spring either once a year, or every other year. Increase pot size by 5-7.5cm initially then once established in 30cm pots, increase size by 10-15cm every two to three years.
  • Little pruning is needed. Just cut away old leaves near their base and, when wrapping up plants outdoors for winter, some stems may need to be cut back.
Delivery Information

Please allow us 3-5 working days to dispatch your order. Pre-ordered items will be sent as soon as possible after the date quoted and we'll generally ship your entire order with your pre-ordered items. When your order is dispatched, we'll send you another email with details of how to track it.

Most orders are sent on a fully-tracked courier service with Yodel. To avoid perishable items being stuck at depots and deteriorating, no signature is required, and our courier is asked to leave your order in a safe place on your property.

We'll send a tracking link when we dispatch your order, so you know when its due to arrive. Please note, once delivered we cannot be held responsible for loss or theft from your property. If you have any specific delivery instructions, please let us know - there's an option to enter a short message for the courier at the checkout.

Smaller, lighter, single-item orders may be sent through the post with Royal Mail - in which case no tracking is available.

Our experienced nursery team will always send your plants nursery fresh in the perfect condition to thrive when you plant them, so although most plants are very tough and will not be affected by all but the most extreme frosts or heatwaves, we avoid dispatching the most perishable plants if extreme weather is forecast, or over Bank Holiday weekends.

Please note, we cannot guarantee delivery on a certain day or time. Delivery to outlying postcode areas may take 1-2 days longer, dependent on your location.

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DOUBLE GUARANTEE TO YOU:
1. If you're not totally happy with your order, return it within 30 days and we'll replace or refund in full!
2. Should any hardy plant fail to thrive thereafter, we'll replace free of charge - you just pay the P&P
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