No, we are not bananas and yes this magnificent plant is hardy. This gorgeous chunk of monstrousness can eventually grow to 4 meters in height with leaves the size of surfboards. During the summer on mature plants an unusual and very large droopy flower spike appears followed by yellowish green inedible fruit. The main stem will die back after flowering but there will already be plenty of semi mature side shoots to take its place. If the plant gets too big for you just chop the trunk down to whatever height you want it and watch it start all over again.

Trunk hardy down to -4 centigrade on mature plants and root hardy down to -10 centigrade. Young plants should be wrapped for their first few winters or if prolonged spells of below -4c are forecast. Straw is best for wrapping, fleece works but not as well, old duvets have proven effective and do not use bubble wrap, it will sweat and you will end up with a soggy mess by the end of the winter. Insulating but breathable is the key.

Sent in a 9cm Pot, 15 to 20cm Cut Back Trunks . 

Additional photo by By Materialscientist - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=11802987,By Stephencdicks