Meet Musa basjoo ‘Ever Red,’ the hardy banana that’ll bring a tropical tantrum of color to your Indiana Zone 6a garden—no passport required! This sassy perennial loves full sun (6+ hours daily), though it’ll tolerate part shade like a diva who forgot her sunglasses. It rockets to a towering 10-15 feet tall and 6-8 feet wide in a single season, making it a bold statement for borders or pots—think of it as the garden’s over-the-top drama queen. In Indiana’s climate, don’t expect bananas; this beauty’s all about the foliage show, not fruit salad.
For gardening enthusiasts, ‘Ever Red’ is a stunner with its striking red streaking—those paddle-shaped leaves flaunt maroon-red stripes like a tiger who raided a paint store, keeping the red vibes longer than its green cousins. Drought tolerant once established, it sips water like a camel on a diet, thriving in well-drained, rich soil—soggy feet are its kryptonite, so mulch those roots for winter protection in Zone 6a. Pollinators? Not a big draw here, but deer and rabbits tend to snub it—more leaf candy for you! Hardy to -10°F with proper mulching, it dies back in winter but resurfaces each spring like a phoenix with better hair.
With its red-streaked leaves and tough-as-nails spirit, ‘Ever Red’ turns your yard into a tropical tease—your neighbors might start squinting or wondering if you’ve secretly moved to the jungle! Just don’t wait for bananas; in Indiana, it’s all look, no snack.
