News Release

Georgia goes bananas

Best ornamental bananas identified for nursery production in southern Georgia

Peer-Reviewed Publication

American Society for Horticultural Science

Bananas in the Landscape

image: Researchers examine bananas for landscape potential in experimental plots. view more 

Credit: Photo by Richard H. Wallace

SAVANNAH, GA—Bananas, known most often as a healthy, convenient food, are also popular ornamental plants in the southern United States. Banana plants are highly prized by many as one of the most beautiful ornamentals used for creating a subtropical ambiance in gardens and pool environments.

A research study published in the American Society for Horticultural Science journal HortTechnology detailed a study of 33 commercial banana cultivars grown near Savannah, Georgia. The study was designed to determine suitability for ornamental and nursery production and to observe the bananas' fruit production.

Gerard Krewer, Esendugue Greg Fonash, Mark Rieger, David Linvill, and Ben Mullinax of the University of Georgia, and Richard Wallace of Armstrong Atlantic University, undertook the multi-year research project with the objective of finding recommendations for income-producing ornamental banana cultivars for use by gardeners and nurseries in southern Georgia.

Many of the cultivars flowered and began producing fruit in late summer during the second year of the study. Of particular note were two cultivars named 'Manzano' and '1780', which produced more than six high-quality suckers for nursery propagation, resulting in a potential income of more than $60 per plant.

The outcomes of the study can be helpful for home gardeners, landscape professionals, and nursery owners who want to expand the use of banana plants in the region. Krewer explained; "This research identified a number of outstanding cultivars of large, medium and small size adapted to the USDA middle 8b region. "

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The complete study is available on the ASHS HortTechnology electronic journal web site: http://horttech.ashspublications.org/cgi/content/abstract/18/3/529

Founded in 1903, the American Society for Horticultural Science (ASHS) is the largest organization dedicated to advancing all facets of horticultural research, education and application. More information at: ashs.org


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