Jpbart

Ok this likely obvious to many here but I just want to be sure.
In my zone 8, there are no bananas you can plant and leave outside year round that are likely to bear fruit. I cut mine down to the ground each November mulch and watch them grow again come April.

I have basjoo and I did once get a large purple flower but frost got it before we had any real crop. I do love these plants and they provide much needed shade here in SC.

So am I right? If not, what would be some plants I should look at? Any zone 8 people out there getting fruit? If so, how? Oh I should say I am reluctant to go the potted plant route but maybe. I think I am stuck in the looks great but no fruit zone until climate change kicks in a another level or two.

Jim in Chapin, SC

Backyard Banana Joe

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Hello! I believe you are in South Carolina..... Look up simplybananas1 he is also there.....

cincinnana

You are correct......you are on the border of yes and no..

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smeash

There is a guy on you tube called leadfarmer73.. he is in SC, and is growing bananas with fruit outdoors. Maybe check out his channel.

edwmax

Wrong ... I'm in zone 8 and had 24 bunches last year. Do a forum search for 'cold hardy' bananas. Because of the shorter growing season dwarf types would be better. .... And stop cutting the plants to the ground if you want to eat bananas! You are cutting/killing the forming bunch. Provide freeze protection to the lower 4 or 5 ft of the pstem and cut off the soft upper pstem that froze in the spring. Yes sometimes the new bunch might be in the part that froze, but sometimes not. Just plant more banana.



Orinoco, Carolina King, dwf Brazilian, dwf Namwah are some that do well in zone 8.

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Jpbart

Thanks for the all of the replies.
Ordered a Dwarf Brazilian from member sddarkman619 of banana trees for sale.

So wish me luck and if any other zone 8 people want to chime in I would be glad to get any advice.

Thanks again, Jim in SC

Backyard Banana Joe

Here is a big one: if you have a South facing wall (house, shed, ect.) PLANT THE BANANA CLOSE TO THE WALL! The radiant heat from the day that is stored up in the wall will warm the bananas, e.i, less frost damage. You can also plant them under the edge of a oak tree. The branches block the cold, making a nice microclimate.