Brian Watson wrote:

I fancy growing something unusual and a banana tree (not a plantain) has
been suggested as something that ought to grow in rural Cambridgeshire,
but almost certainly won't bear edible fruit.

Would URGlers agree on that?


I think its Musa Dwarf Cavendish which can produce edible fruit in the uk,
though only inside a heated greenhouse/poly tunnel or conservatory.

As for the Basjoo, i've grown quite a lot of these, nearly all suckers from
the mama plant, that one grew to over 12" tall, produced a spectacular
flower, some truly miniscule fruit, got ripped to shreds by a storm and
then promptly died. Still it was all rather exciting :-)

As for other exotics, you could try growing Pineapples or sweet potatos (bit
late for them really this year), i've got several very healthy looking
lemon trees grown from seed. Several 5+ years old. Also got an almond tree
grown from seed, producing it's first fruit this year. I like the odd
exotic or two.

Duncan