Food-Gardening Lessons From A Wartime Victory Garden

Banana Plants in Oregon!

Banana Plants in Portland - Mike Darcy
Banana Plants in Portland – Photo Courtesy of Kathy and Harvey Anderson

In the late 1990’s, I was surprised to learn there was a banana plant that was hardy enough to thrive in Portland, Oregon. Yes, I was skeptical, but I tried one and it has survived and multiplied by sending up many new “pups”. This particular banana is Musa basjoo and is root hardy, meaning in the winter the top may die to the ground but the roots survive and the plant will emerge in the spring. Due to our mild winter this past year, I am hearing from gardeners telling me they have plants that are blooming. West Linn, Oregon gardeners Kathy and Harvey Anderson sent me this photo of their 17-foot tall banana with this very large and unique flower. Notice the bananas forming behind the flower. It is quite a novelty having banana plants bloom in Oregon!

About Mike Darcy

Mike lives and gardens in a suburb of Portland, Oregon where he has resided since 1969. He grew in up Tucson, Arizona where he worked at a small retail nursery during his high school and college years. He received his formal education at the University of Arizona where he was awarded a Bachelor of Science Degree in Horticulture, and though he values his formal education, he values his field-experience more. It is hard to beat the ‘hands on’ experience of actually gardening, visiting gardens, and sharing information with other gardeners. Mike has been involved with gardening communications throughout his adult life. In addition to garden writing, he has done television gardening shows in Portland, and for over 30 years he hosted a Saturday radio talk show in Portland. Now he writes, speaks, gardens and continues to share his love of gardening. To be connected to the gardening industry is a bonus in life for Mike. He has found gardeners to be among the friendliest and most caring, generous people. Consequently, many of his friends he has met through gardening.

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