Musa velutina

Photo courtesy of Carmen Galdames, Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute

Name: Musa velutina, Pink velvet banana

Description: Beginning in the late summer, M. velutina produces ample flower stalks near the top of the trunk. Each stalk holds clusters of small, pink velvet bananas, but the fruit is not edible. M. velutina does not typically grow larger than 6 feet tall.

Hardiness: USDA Hardiness Zones 7b-10. But not all strains of M. velutina are equally winter hardy.

In the landscape: Performs well in the ground or in a container.