Banana Plants

IOrnamental Banana plants are grown for their natural beauty rather than for their fruit.  The banana plant is so obviously tropical that it changes the atmosphere of an entire area, suggesting warm and humid and bountiful places by its mere presence.

Recommended banana trees that are cold-hardy for temperate and Mediterranean climates such as the San Francisco Bay Area include :

(1) Ensete Ventricosum (Abbysinnian Banana Tree) -- large oval green yellow leaves with reddish hue veins, ribbing, and stalk.  A highly decorative ornamental specimen plant that ca be a focal point for garden planting or a attractive patio or entranceway 'marker'.

Red Abbysinian banana tree

(2) Musa 'Blue Java' Banana Plant, commonly referred to as 'ice cream,' or Hawaiian banana tree --

The Abyssinian Banana Plant (Ensete Ventricosum) is a highly decorative

And attractive plant with its large oval green leaves.

Abbysinnian Banana Tree leaves arch over 

smaller perennial and annual flowering plants.

3 foot tall Musa 'Java Blue' has long, arching leaves.