#Ask the Expert: Jason Reeves

Cannas (Canna spp. and cvs. USDA Hardiness Zones 7–11), bananas (Musa spp. and cvs. Zones 8–11), and elephant’s ears (Colocasia spp. and cvs. Zones 8–11) work great planted in a perennial border, adding a bold, tropical feel. They may even be winter hardy in your garden, depending on where you live and the cultivars you choose. Favorites include ‘Bengal Tiger’ and Tropicanna® cannas (Canna ‘Bengal Tiger’, Zones 7–11, and Canna indica ‘Phasion’, Zones 8–11); hardy Japanese banana (Musa basjoo. Zones 8–11); ‘Siam Ruby’ banana (Musa ‘Siam Ruby’, Zones 9–10); and ‘Lime Zinger’, ‘Diamond Head’, ‘Black Magic’, and ‘Thailand Giant’ elephant’s ears (Colocasia esculenta cvs. Zones 8–11).

If you live where they will not survive outdoors, cannas, bananas, and elephant’s ears are easy to overwinter. If you are not sure if they’ll make it over winter, dig some up and leave some in the garden. Plants to be kept indoors should be potted and placed in a cool location where they can survive winter in a semidormant state.

If using the garage, basement, or crawl space, dig plants up and remove most of the soil and leaves. If the soil is wet, allow the root-ball to dry for a day before wrapping it in newspaper. Place the wrapped roots in a loose plastic bag, keeping the bag open at the top to allow the roots to breathe, thus preventing rot. Check on the plants a few times during winter, and remove any that are rotting; sprinkle the root-balls with a little water if the soil appears dry. Replant the tropicals in spring, and enjoy.