It's olive-gray-green leaf color is most unique. This is a smaller banana, usually staying under seven feet, that produces a lot of suckers close to the plant. If these are kept cut back, the banana develops a striking trunk with a bulbous, round bottom.

The flowers are absolutely incredible. They are very large, yellow-orange and indeed have a waxy feel.

The most cold-hardy banana is the Japanese fiber banana, Musa basjoo. Guess what? Though it may seem unbelievable, well-mulched Japanese fiber bananas have been known to return from minus-20-degree temperatures.

The flowers are among the most beautiful and exotic. But don't start counting the harvest yet -- these bananas aren't edible.

Bananas were for sale at all of our official garden and patio shows this spring, and even at the Fall Flower and Garden Fest last year in Crystal Springs.

Look for remaining bargains on all bananas now. The Japanese Fiber banana likes full sun, while I like a little afternoon shade for the Red Abyssinian and the Chinese Yellow Wax. Fertile, well-drained, organic-rich soil is needed for both vigor and performance.

Amend the soil if needed with 3 to 4 inches of compost or humus, and till to a depth of 8 to 10 inches. Ideally, beds with bananas need 3 pounds of a slow-release fertilizer with a 2-1-2 or 2-1-3 ratio per 100 square feet of bed space.

Sometimes these formulas are hard to find, so you can use 3 pounds of a 12-6-6. Plant the banana at the same depth it is growing in the container. Bananas are heavy feeders and need light monthly applications of fertilizer, along with plenty of moisture. Keep them well-mulched. Trim leaves as needed to keep the plant attractive. Once the foliage has been frosted in the fall, trim and add an extra layer of mulch.

Wet, soggy, winter soil places a spring return in jeopardy despite the cold-hardiness of the Japanese fiber banana and the Chinese Yellow Wax.

Once you get yours you will notice that it does sucker. These can be divided to place in other garden locations, or you can give some to me!

Use these bananas to add coarse-textured foliage to the perennial or cottage garden, transforming it for a look of the islands. Plant them around swimming pools, water gardens and next to the deck, porch or patio. Grow with other tropicals like elephant ears, hibiscus and allamandas.

[EDITOR'S NOTE: Norman Winter is a horticulturist with Mississippi State University's Extension Service. His office is located at the Central Mississippi Research and Extension Center at 1320 Seven Springs Road, Raymond, MS 39154. Locate this article on the World Wide Web at:
http://MSUcares.com/news/print/lgnews/msgnews/msgnews.htm.]