Some of you long-time readers here may recall that when I moved to this new location, I planted a Bashō — a hardy banana (Musa basjoo). It is the plant from which the Japanese hokku/haikai writer took his pen name.
Since then it has grown amazingly tall. I was looking out my window a few days ago, and was surprised to see a giant bud hanging from it. I was very curious, having never seen a banana bud before, so I have kept watch.
Now the bud has opened so the flowers are visible.
Here is a closer look at the small flowers near the top:
From what I read, I can expect the very tall stalk to die when the flowering cycle is completed, but it has sent up shoots that are now nearly as tall as the main stalk, so they will continue to produce the same huge and very long and pleasantly green leaves that are so shading in summer, and so satisfying to see from beneath as the sun illuminates them.
David
HOKKU 