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Monarda
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Monarda bartlettii 'Puerto Purificacion' (Bartlett's Bee Balm)
Sun Zone: 7b-9, at least 48" tall Origin: Mexico alternate image
Open House/Web-Only!
This splendid monarda species comes from an early 1990's collection by Yucca Do Nursery in the Puerto Purificacion region of the Sierra Madre Occidentale mountain range in Tamaulipas, Mexico. The 4' tall clumps of slightly aromatic, jagged-lobed green leaves are topped in June and July with hundreds of mauvy-lavender flower heads. We have seen no signs of mildew on this reportedly mildew-resistant species along with a greatly reduced spreading habit from its US counterparts M. fistulosa and M. didyma...give your bees a taste of South-of-the-Border cuisine!
Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #08005
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Monarda 'Peter's Purple' (Peter's Purple Bee Balm)
SunZone: 6-9, at least 48" tall Origin: USA Hybrid
This little-known bee balm created a "buzz" in the Dallas Arboretum trial garden, where Director of Research Jimmy Turner says,"It's the only Monarda that doesn't die from powdery mildew." M. 'Peter's Purple' occurred in the garden of Texas native plant guru Peter Loos, when a Mexican M. bartlettii and the American M. fistulosa 'Claire Grace' got frisky under a moonlit sky, and you know the story. The result is a robust heat-loving 4' tall clump, topped in June and July with rich lavender-purple flowers, backed by purple calyces. We have seen no signs of mildew in our trials and greatly reduced spreading compared to other monardas. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #07999
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Muhlenbergia (Muhly Grass)
This group of US and Mexican natives is among the most stunning and easy-to-grow grasses, but also the least-known. These tough, heat-loving grasses are not only well-behaved in the garden, but some are so showy that they are worthy of being treated as annuals in the climates where they will not survive outdoors. |
Muhlenbergia capillaris (Hairy Awn Muhly)
Sun to Part SunZone: 6b-10, possibly hardier 30" tall Origin: USA alternate image
I'm in love again...just don't tell my wife. Muhlenbergia capillaris is another US native ornamental grass (Massachusetts to Texas) that will knock your horticultural socks off! Hairy awn muhly makes a nondescript clump of narrow green foliage (30" x 30") until mid-to-late August, when the clumps are topped with cloud-like heads of reddish purple...truly STUNNING! Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #02317
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Muhlenbergia capillaris 'White Cloud' (White Awn Muhly)
SunZone: 6b-10, possibly hardier 48" tall Origin: USA
This dazzling introduction, from Florida's Superior Trees, is a white-flowered version of the wildly popular Muhlenbergia capillaris. Starting in late September and continuing into early November (NC), the showy, 4' tall x 4' wide clumps are topped with a soft, see-through cloud of white...absolutely dynamite! The color lasts well after frosts have begun. This is a superb selection you simply must see to believe! Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #06240
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Muhlenbergia 'Pink Flamingos' (Pink Flamingos Muhly Grass)
SunZone: 6b-10, at least 36" tall Origin: USA Hybrid
We have waited more than a decade since we first saw this amazing hybrid at John Fairey's Peckerwood Garden in Texas. Muhlenbergia capillaris and M. lindheimeri had a conjugal encounter on a warm Texas night and the result was Muhlenbergia 'Pink Flamingos'. The spherical 3' tall x 4' wide clump of narrow glaucous foliage is topped in fall with 4.5' long arching spikes, ending in pink plumes, which are more linear than M. capillaris. This is a stunning drought-tolerant grass that should be grown throughout its hardiness range. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #08362
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Musa / Musella (Banana)
With the increasing interest in temperate tropicality, we thought it was about time to increase our selection of hardy bananas. All of the selections we offer are reliable in Zone 8, as well as the warmer reaches of Zone 7. As with cannas and other hardy tropicals, plant outdoors prior to late August in climates north of Zone 8. From Zone 8 north, we recommend either digging the banana for winter storage or building a wire-constructed, leaf mulch-filled cage around the trunk. The exception, of course, is Musa basjoo and Musella lasiocarpa. The growth rate of bananas is phenomenal when plenty of moisture and nutrition are provided. Wet soils in the winter, however, can spell death in the colder zones. We hope you will enjoy bringing a little tropicality into your garden! |
Musa basjoo (Hardy Banana)
Sun to Part SunZone: 7-10, possibly colder 120" tall Origin: China alternate image
Recent research has shown that Musa basjoo, the world's hardiest banana species, is actually from Sichuan, China and not Japan. This 10' tall running species makes a thick, green stem that sports 6' long, narrow, green leaves arching from the top of the trunk. The flower emerges from near the top of the stem like a yellow-orange torpedo. After the flowers open, you will be blessed with clusters of small, yellow, 2" long bananas. Forget eating this one...just enjoy the tropical look and tease your neighbors. We recommend a good mulch in colder regions until the clump becomes well-established. Pot size: 3 qt. (2.83 L) #03064
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Musa 'Bordelon' (Bordelon Banana)
SunZone: 8-10, guessing 180" tall Origin: Hybrid
Open House/Web-Only!
This ornamental banana was first discovered in the Zone 8b Louisiana town of Bordelonville (near Alexandria). The 10-15' tall stalks are adorned with red-striped leaves that also feature an attractive red leaf back which is especially visible when the new leaves unfurl. Based on trials around the country, M. 'Bordelon' appears to be the hardiest of the red-striped varieties. If the growing point is protected in winter, M. 'Bordelon' will flower and fruit, although don't plan to make sweet ice cream from these seeded fruits.
Pot size: 2 qt. (1.892 L) #07590
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Musa 'Darjeeling Giant' (Darjeeling Giant Banana)
SunZone: 8-10, guessing 240" tall Origin: India
Open House/Web-Only!
(aka: Musa 'Daj giant') We purchased these seeds from India as a naturally occurring giant hardy hybrid banana from India's Darjeeling Hills region, whose mama was the winter hardy Musa sikkimensis, but whose baby-daddy was unknown. We're trying these out for the first time, so we can't confirm the winter hardiness yet. About all we can tell you is that the new growth has a stunning red-purple back, the flowers are dark purple on the outside, and the plants reach 20' in height. Won't you join us in giving this new banana a try? Pot size: 2 qt. (1.892 L) #07826
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Musa 'Orinoco' (Orinoco Banana)
SunZone: 8-10, colder with protection 180" tall Origin: Hybrid
This amazing banana is one of the most cold hardy of the edible fruiting bananas, commonly grown for fruit in the US Gulf Coast region. Musa 'Orinoco' amazes visitors with its nice fruit clusters in our Zone 7 garden. For us, a height of 10' is common, although M. 'Orinoco' can reach 21' in more hospitable climates. In the colder climates, cut the banana fruit stalk before the first frost, and keep it indoors in a bucket of water until the fruit ripens. In Zone 7, I recommend surrounding the trunks with a 3'-4' tall cage filled with leaves to preserve next year's fruiting stalks. Pot size: 2 qt. (1.892 L) #04797
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Musa ornata Purple Flower Form (Flowering Banana)
Sun to Part SunZone: 8-10, guessing 96" tall Origin: India
Open House/Web-Only!
This dwarf, fast-multiplying Indian species is prized as a container plant because of its 5-8' tall size, and like M. velutina, the clump is adorned in late summer and early fall with upright flower spikes of lilac-purple flower buds that peel open in layers, revealing the golden yellow flowers. Forget eating this seed-filled banana unless your spouse kicks you out of the house without dinner. We are just now trialing this outdoors and have a few extras to share...reports indicate that it is reliable in Zone 8 and possibly further north. Pot size: 2 qt. (1.892 L) #07927
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Musa 'Siam Ruby' (Siam Ruby Banana)
Sun to Part SunZone: 9-10, guessing 96" tall Origin: New Guinea
I first saw this raving beauty when visiting Thailand in 2005. At great expense (I'm still driving my old vehicle), I procured one to bring home, we named it 'Siam Ruby', and we are thrilled to now be able to share it with folks back in the states. Our research indicated that it originated in Papua New Guinea, where bananas have been cultivated for 10,000 years, as a sport on M. 'Tapo'. We have never seen it taller than 8', so that's our guess for height. The leaves are a stunning, dark ruby red with tiny green flecks...the more sun, the more intense the color. This is one banana that loves intense heat and humidity...dazzling, stunning...can you tell I've lost my adjectiveness over this plant? Pot size: 2 qt. (1.892 L) #07784
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Musa sikkimensis (Sikkim Banana)
Sun to Part SunZone: 8-10, guessing 160" tall Origin: Himalayas
(syn: M. hookeri) Well, are you up for a new gardening experience? We are excited to again offer this little-known hardy ornamental banana hailing from high montane forests of the northeast Himalayas. Reportedly, the trunks can reach 14' in height with a diameter of 18" or, in other words, about the size of an NFL offensive lineman. The leaf backs emerge a dazzling cinnamon-red. To say these bananas are edible is about like saying that Himalayan bathrooms are comfortable...both have an aroma, but that's about it. Pot size: 2 qt. (1.892 L) #03754
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Musa sp. 'Helen's Hybrid' (Helen's Hybrid Banana)
SunZone: 8-10, guessing 144" tall Origin: Hybrid
Open House/Web-Only!
This new banana was discovered around 5,000' elevation in the plant rich eastern Himalayan region of Darjeeling, India. Musa 'Helen's hybrid is thought to be a cross of M. sikkimensis and the edible M. 'Chini-Champa'. The green leaves are occasionally marked with an upper red midrib, but you can consistently count on bright red leaf backs on the new foliage. The fruit is sweet, but seedy...sort of like the "treats" in a cheap Bangkok hotel. We have a few left from our trials...get one while they last.
Pot size: 2 qt. (1.892 L) #07825
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Musa 'Truly Tiny' (Truly Tiny Banana)
Sun to Part SunZone: 9-10, at least 24" tall Origin: Hybrid
Open House/Web-Only!
I fell in love with this 2' tall dwarf while on a trip to Florida...that is legal in Florida...isn't it? Shhhh...I hear my wife coming down the hall. Musa 'Truly Tiny' makes a perfectly formed but shrunken plant with leaves that are nicely blotched in red. Musa 'Truly Tiny' is great for containers and highly recommended if you are on the South Beach Diet, since if your plant ever produces a banana, it'll be a "truly tiny" one. Satisfy the dwarf fetish in you! Pot size: 2 qt. (1.892 L) #07875
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Musa velutina (Pink Velvet Banana)
Sun to Part SunZone: 7b-10 72" tall Origin: India
There's something mystical about a pink velvet banana that makes you want to start belting out Elvis tunes...hmmm. Musa velutina was our first introduction to hardy bananas and is still a favorite in our summer garden. Rarely exceeding 6' tall, M. velutina produces copious flower stalks near the top of the trunk, starting in late summer. Each stalk is soon home to attractive clusters of small, pink, velvet bananas, which peel themselves when ripe. Don't plan on a snack from these seed-filled bananas unless you are exceedingly hungry or exceedingly drunk. Once established, they seem to be quite winter-hardy. Until well-established, a cage of shredded leaves around the trunk in the winter months should do the trick. Pot size: 2 qt. (1.892 L) #05925
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Musella
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Musella lasiocarpa (Chinese Yellow Banana)
Sun to Part SunZone: 7-10 80" tall Origin: China alternate image
This magnificent ornamental banana is more of a shrub than the typical taller banana. The stiff, thick, leathery, grey-green, banana-like foliage is borne atop a stalk that can eventually reach 6' in height. Instead of being prized for its fruit, this plant is grown more for its flowers. Each specimen is home to large, bizarrely beautiful, yellow flowers that look like giant golden artichokes...I'm not making this up! Our plants have sailed through over a decade of winters...and without any mulch. I'm starting to believe those rumors of incredible winter hardiness. Pot size: 3 qt. (2.83 L) #03813
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| <Malvaviscus - Miscanthus] | [Nannorrhops - Ophiopogon> |
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