Cold hardy banana

[Rtrw]

Any hope it's ok to ask about a banana plant on the forum....

I am thinking about planting some cold hardy banana trees as a privacy screen along a wall.  I am in san Diego so not concerned about the cold....but I did have some questions if anyone is experienced growing these plants.

 

I hear mixed things....that they can become a hot mess after windy days....?  We don't have hurricanes or anything crazy but we do of course have our windy days.

I have read online that their height is anywhere from 10-20 feet....anyone e k ow which is accurate?

How should I space them to accomplish a nice "screen?"

I know they send "pups"....will the pups come up in unwanted areas like my lawn?

How long do they typically live?  I have heard some banana plants die after flowering or fruiting.

Any other pros/cons/advice??

Thanks in advance...you guys have been so helpful with my palm questios so I hope it's ok I ask about the banana.

[dalmatiansoap]

Go for it. Plant dwarf variety, it won't be hard to get them in your area. Don't worry about pups, they are easy to maintain.

[Chris Chance]

I always recommend Rajapuri. They are hardy and take wind well. Also they only get about 8 to 10 feet tall so easier to maintain. The pups are easy to maintain and you can dig them up and move them or give them to a friend.  Here's a pic of mine. They have seen 26 degrees and the wind can roar this area.

[Sir Oxylon]

Bananas are great fun. Get as many varieties as you can. I have Cavendish, red dacca, ducasse, blueggoe, blue java, ceylon pisang, rajapuri, ladyfinger, and goldfinger in a similar climate. They all perform well. They might get burnt in your winter but they soon recover. You will get fruit as well. Just flood them with water and plenty of dolomite lime in summer.

[nick]

We have plenty of banana plantations in the western part of Cyprus, mostly "dwarf cavendish" with delicious taste. Your Climate must be similar so I would go for it. The plants get new offshoots  regulary and you can remove the old untidy parts. Water regulary.

Edited June 13, 2016 by nick