Whether you’re growing them indoors for their tropical foliage or outdoors to harvest the delicious fruits, banana plants are wonderfully rewarding additions to any tropical garden. Gardening expert Madison Moulton discusses her first-hand tips for reaping the most from your banana plants. There are few gardening experiences that beat tasting home-grown fruit. The flavors are so much richer and sweeter than grocery store produce, made even more delicious by the effort you put in to grow them. Of all the fruits I’ve grown over the years, from lemons to litchis, one of the most rewarding has been bananas. This common fruit doesn’t excite many gardeners, but the boost in flavor and the amount you get to harvest each year makes growing them worthwhile. If you live in a tropical climate, banana plants are the perfect first fruit to try growing on your own. The tropical leaves also make attractive houseplants if you’re happy to sacrifice the harvesting aspect of growth. Successful banana growing isn’t difficult, but does require some essential knowledge of the plant and its structure. Follow this guide to find out everything you need to know. What Is It? The banana plant, part of the Musa genus, is an often misunderstood member of the plant kingdom. Despite its tree-like appearance, it’s actually classified as an herbaceous plant (and the biggest herb you can grow) with a pseudostem rather than a trunk. What’s even more fascinating is the fruit itself. The banana fruit is technically a berry and grows in clusters called hands, while individual bananas are referred to as fingers. Banana plants are an essential agricultural commodity in tropical and subtropical regions. But it’s not just the fruit that’s valuable. Other parts of the plant (particularly the leaves) are utilized in various dishes, making the banana plant a wonderfully versatile plant to grow in your garden. Their ability to thrive in a range of conditions and adaptability make bananas a great choice for gardeners in warmer climates. History Originally domesticated in Southeast Asia, banana plants are believed to have been cultivated as early as 8,000 BCE. Banana cultivation spread via trade routes early on, when Arab traders played a crucial role in introducing bananas to the Middle East. From there, the fruit found its way to Europe. It wasn’t until the late 19th century that bananas became a common fruit on the market. Modern transportation and refrigeration created space for the export of bananas from tropical regions to colder climates, turning what was once a unique luxury into an everyday staple. Historically, different banana varieties have been cultivated for different purposes. The bananas we commonly consume today come from cultivars and hybrids of Musa acuminata and Musa balbisiana species, or Musa × paradisiaca – a cross between the two. Characteristics Banana plants have a rather unique botanical structure and provide plenty of aesthetic value in tropical gardens. The stems, technically called pseudostems, are not woody as you would expect from its tree-like shape. Instead, they are made of a soft core surrounded by leaf sheaths, giving them the appearance of a tree without the same technical structure. These pseudostems can reach up to 20 feet in height, sporting long, glossy green leaves that also reach several feet in length. The leaves have stunning tropical flair, with an arching shape that instantly turns your backyard (or home) into a holiday paradise. Now to the important part – the fruits. Bananas develop in clusters known as hands that are larger than you might expect. Charmingly referred to as fingers, individual bananas grow without seeds in most commercial varieties. The fruit’s skin color varies throughout the season, changing from green when unripe to classic yellow when ready to eat. The fruits also vary in texture, depending on the variety you’re growing. Varieties While most people are familiar with the standard yellow Cavendish banana – the type most often sold in grocery stores – growing your own opens a new world of opportunities. There are so many types to choose from, allowing you to grow something more unique you wouldn’t be able to find in a standard store. Even if you’re not a massive banana fan, exploring these different varieties is sure to boost your appreciation of these useful plants. Planting The best time to plant is late spring or early summer once the soil has warmed sufficiently, creating the ideal conditions for fast root growth. Replicating the native environments of the banana plant is key to growing success, starting with the right location. Choose a spot in full sun if you want as many fruits as possible. The soil should also be well-draining and away from areas where rain collects, as waterlogged conditions can quickly lead to root rot in rainy seasons. Banana plants are also sensitive to high winds, which can tear their leaves, especially soon after planting, while they try to establish strong roots. Plant near a windbreak or provide some protection to preserve the plant’s appearance and health later on. When selecting a plant at the nursery, look for ones with small, spear-shaped leaves that indicate healthy young growth. Look at the roots if you can, and choose plants with plump, healthy growth rather than long and stringy roots. Plants should be spaced approximately 8 feet apart to allow room for growth without overcrowding. Dwarf varieties can be planted slightly closer together if needed, but it’s far better to give your bananas more room to grow than less. After planting, water thoroughly to settle the roots.

Instead of ripening to a deep purple-blue, ‘Pink Lemonade’ berries turn a dark pink or almost red when they are ready to eat, making them a colorful and unique addition to your edible garden. Gardening expert Madison Moulton explains everything you need to know about growing and harvesting ‘Pink Lemonade’ blueberries. If you haven’t started growing blueberries yet, you’re really missing out. The berries are a delectable snack, and they work with so many recipes in the kitchen. The plants also have a unique ornamental value in your landscape. Blueberries are ideal shrubs for almost any position in the garden, from beds to containers. They make perfect edible hedges if you want to foodscape your garden, and they can grow on patios in small spaces. When it comes to ornamental value, you certainly can’t go wrong with the ‘Pink Lemonade’ variety, known for its colorful berries. These shrubs are not difficult to grow or manage. Just follow this guide to find out how. What are ‘Pink Lemonade’ Blueberries? ‘Pink Lemonade’ is not your typical blueberry, particularly when it comes to the word blue in the name. That’s because the berries on this bush are actually pink! Like most blueberries, they start out green and then blush pink. But instead of ripening to a deep purple-blue, these berries turn dark pink or almost red when they are ready to eat. They also set themselves apart when it comes to flavor. The berries are distinctly blueberries but with a subtle citrusy taste, hence the hybrid name ‘Pink Lemonade.’ The bush is a rabbiteye cross developed by plant geneticist Mark K. Ehlenfeldt. He crossed a commercial blueberry with an experimental variety, eventually coming up with ‘Pink Lemonade’ in 1996 and releasing it to the public in 2005. This variety’s unique look makes it sought-after for its ornamental value. The edible berries are obviously the highlight, but the changing foliage and blush pink flowers mean they’re good for more than just harvesting. These shrubs also look great in the garden, ideal for things like foodscaping or food forests. In the kitchen, ‘Pink Lemonade’ blueberries are known for their high sugar content. They are one of the sweetest blueberries you can grow, perfect for snacking fresh. They also work well in desserts or preserves, but it will be hard to resist eating them immediately as you pick them off the bush. Planting Blueberries are not fussy shrubs and adapt well to a range of environments. However, planting them in the ideal location will greatly simplify care and ensure your plant can focus on producing delicious berries. When it comes to climate, this hybrid can grow almost anywhere. They don’t like temperature extremes but grow well in USDA Zones 4-9. Milder conditions are preferred for the best possible yield, but a little warmth or frost isn’t a problem for this shrub. Before planting, you need to assess the soil carefully. Blueberries are acid-loving plants that require a low pH to grow successfully. If you don’t know your soil pH, conduct tests before planting. You should aim for a pH of around 4.5. Amend the soil if it’s below 4 or above 5.5. Once you’ve purchased your tree, give it some time to adjust to your garden environment before planting to limit stress. You can do this by: Keeping the plant in its container and placing it in a shady, sheltered area away from high winds. Ensuring it’s watered adequately – the soil should be moist but not waterlogged. Monitoring the plant for any signs of distress and allow it to adjust for a few days before planting. Plant within seven days after receiving the tree. Start by digging a hole about twice as wide as the root ball and a similar depth, encouraging the roots to grow outwards and establish in the soil. Plant and backfill with soil, pressing down gently around the roots to settle the plant in place. Water thoroughly and apply a layer of pine needle mulch around 3-4 inches thick around the base after planting. If you’re planting multiple blueberries – which is recommended to improve yield through cross-pollination – space the bushes around 5 feet apart. This will accommodate their mature size and limit problems with overcrowding or possible disease.

With little care and attention, hardy kiwi vines produce hundreds of pounds of small, fuzzless kiwis each year. They thrive in climates too cold for fuzzy-skinned kiwi vines, and they’re an excellent fruiting vine for gardens. Read on with PNW gardener Jerad Bryant, and you’ll soon have unlimited supplies of fresh kiwi fruit! One reason to love fruit is for nostalgia’s sake. As a kid, my mother would slice kiwi fruit with lunch. Whenever I bite into it, the tropical flavor catapults me back to those warm, fuzzy feelings I felt as a child. Kiwis are available at most grocery stores. Why buy them when you can grow them for free? Growing them at home allows for unlimited fruit on a perennial vine. With a ‘Prolific’ hardy plant in the backyard, you’ll never have to spend money on kiwi fruit again. When growing this vine, plan to prune, maintain, and limit its growth. Hardy kiwis are vigorous spreaders in the garden and benefit from maintenance similar to that of grapevines. What Is It? Hardy kiwi vines grow fruit with a similar flavor to those you find at the grocery store, although hardy kiwis are much smaller and fuzzless. They taste superb in fruit salads, smoothies, and preserves. They’re also the best kiwi for fresh eating with their edible skins. All kiwi vines share the genus Actinidia, and the hardy kiwi’s scientific name is Actinidia arguta. ‘Prolific’ is a self-fertile hardy kiwi that grows more compact than other kiwi species. This type excels in home gardens, as it can squeeze into small spaces and climb trellises. It doesn’t need a male plant to pollinate itself. Why are there male and female kiwi plants? Most kiwis are dioecious, meaning that each plant is entirely male or entirely female and that each produces flowers that match its sex. ‘Prolific’ stands out amongst other kiwis because it grows both male and female flowers. It pollinates other female varieties with its pollen. Rather than wasting space on a male pollinator kiwi that doesn’t produce fruit, plant a ‘Prolific’ hardy kiwi, and you’ll have garden space for other fruits and veggies. Native Area All kiwi species originate from eastern Asia and prefer growing in temperate and subtropical climates that match their home. In their native range, winters are cool, moist, and humid, while summers are warm, sunny, and humid. In wild forests, hardy kiwis climb on trees with their reaching tendrils. They use other plants for support to launch themselves into the canopy. Wild vines reach anywhere from 40-100 feet tall! As they grow, they twine themselves around other plants and become woody over time. This creates a strong, wooden base for hardy kiwi plants so they can climb higher and higher each year. Nowadays, hardy kiwi vines grow across the globe in temperate and subtropical zones. They require some chill hours in the winter and a long growing season, and they thrive throughout North America from New York to Oregon. Some species invade local forests on the East Coast where they escape cultivation. Avoid contributing to its invasive spread by harvesting all the fruit, and avoid planting this vine close to forests and natural areas. Characteristics ‘Prolific’ hardy kiwi vines sprout climbing new growth that turns woody with age. Much like how grapevines grow, these fruiting plants rely on other woody shrubs and trees for structure. They can support themselves. However, their growth and fruit production won’t be as optimal as when they have support from other structures. Hardy kiwi vines sprout round light-green leaves with whitish undersides. They create flowers that are creamy white, and they fade to a yellowish-brown color while the season progresses. ‘Prolific’ fruit is greenish-purplish and tastes like a mix of bananas, melons, and strawberries. When growing ‘Prolific’ vines, consider that they spread less vigorously than other varieties. They climb at least six or seven feet, so plant it onto an arbor, trellis, or archway for best results. Propagation ‘Prolific’ hardy kiwi is a specific variety, so propagate it with cuttings to retain the variety’s growing and fruiting characteristics. Growing hardy kiwi vines from seeds is a fun activity, but it leads to new plants that differ genetically from their ‘Prolific’ parent plant. Try sprouting seeds for a growing experiment, or take cuttings for reliable reproduction.