Slightly unusual

Banana plant.
After reading some of your topics and learning a great deal I have come to the conclusion I don't have enough interesting plants in my garden so..
How do I go about planning for a Banana plant, show only, the hardier the better, soil requirements, siteing, purchasing and so on.
If you have any experience with these plants I'd like to hear from you.

 

I've never actually grown them, but I think you will want 'Musa Basjoo', they do fine down here in the deep South but you might be pushing your luck through a mid-Wales winter! Well worth it if you can though.

 

Tortuosa, after your post,I've being googling 'Musa Basjoo' and you have sorted me out. the temp her in lower Wales is very good, not nearly as hot as southern England, but, the last good few years we have hardly gone below -0c. I'm really looking forward to getting my hands on one. they can grow really rapidly it will be a nice feature. I will have to learn about soil requirements and a supplier. Many thanks.

 

Hans, basjoo is a good one, but this is even better, musa sikkimiensis, it seems pretty hardy with winter protection. It gets going slower in spring, but once it does there's no stopping it, other than strong winds that is.
I wouldn't plant now though, i'd wait till next spring.

 

Nice photo Pete, I would love to have a plant like that. Do you have any tips on soil preparation, or would any resonable soil do ? I would obviously provide good drainage and I do have a slightly elevated/ sheltered'ish position.

 

I tend not to do anything special, most of the bananas grow so fast and easily its not necessary.
I'm on heavy clay, if your on something a bit more well drained then perhaps some organic matter to hold the moisture in summer would be a good idea.

 

Many thanks both, I'm on clay also.