Hardy Banana vs Black Gum - TreeTime.ca

Hardy Banana vs Black Gum

Musa basjoo

Nyssa sylvatica

ONLY AVAILABLE BY CONTRACT GROW

Hardy Banana
Black Gum

The Hardy Banana is a fast-growing evergreen perennial that dies down to the ground each year. A stunning tropical-looking accent for your yard and patio, the Japanese Fiber Banana can be overwintered outdoors in several northern U.S. states and southern Canadian regions. In northern regions, you can bring this plant inside and leave it in your garage. If you enjoy Mexican cuisine, you can use the leaves to make tamales.

Black Gum is a slow-growing ornamental shade tree with a dense pyramidal shape. The foliage is dark green in the summer, and transitions to bright fall colours which include red, orange, purple, and gold. It is commonly used as an ornamental tree in parks and large gardens as a specimen or shade tree.

The small greenish white flowers provide nectar for bees and black tupelo honey is a sought after flavour. The small dark blue fruits which ripen in late summer will attract birds and other animals to your yard. The fruits are edible, but very sour, and are primarily used for pies, flavouring, and drinks. Plant the Black Gum where it will live long-term, as it has a large taproot and does not transplant well.

Hardy Banana Quick Facts

Black Gum Quick Facts

Lowest Price: $12.49 - SAVE UP TO 26%
Zone: 5a
Zone: 3a
Height: 3 m (10 ft)
Height: 12 m (40 ft)
Spread: 2.4 m (8 ft)
Spread: 8 m (25 ft)
Moisture: normal, wet
Moisture: dry, normal
Light: full sun
Light: partial shade, full sun
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no
Fall colour: purple, orange, yellow, red
Berries: dark blue
Flavor: sour
Harvest: september to october
Flowers: large cream to yellow
Growth rate: very fast
Growth rate: slow
Life span: short
Life span: long
Maintenance: medium
Suckering: high
Suckering: medium




Other Names: japanese banana, japanese fibre banana
Other Names: black tupelo, pepperidge tree, sour gum, tupelo