i came across this site and it says a muso basjoo is hardy to zone 3....... cheak it out for me http://www.caladiumbulbs.com/product/29/
This advertisment is riddled with inaccuracies; 1. "banana tree" - there's no such plant as a banana "tree". A tree forms a trunk, banana plants form pseuodstems. 2. "can be grown in all 50 states! It is hardy planted in ground to -3°F and with protective mulching it can survive temperatures reaching down to -20°F." Well Musa basjoo is relatively hardy (zone 6), there are several of the 50 states that have zones with winter minimums colder than -20F. 3. "The plant has long, slender, bright green leaves". I'm not sure what is pictured but it certainly doesn't look like Musa basjoo. The leaves are not "slender" as discribed. 4."one of the most beautiful flowering stalks of all banana trees." That's debatable, but many other flowering Musa & Ensete have much more attractive flowers and fruit. Again the use of "banana tree" is wrong. 5."does very well in containers and makes a good interior plant." This will easily out-grow most large containers in a year or more. Not good long term. As for indoor cultivation, horrible! They are fast growing and can grow well beyond interior proportions in short order given the right conditions. They are also subject to weak growth and mites in cold winter, interior climates. 6." Origin - Ryukyu Islands of Japan. True in some regards although China is the native region for Musa basjoo. Japan cultivated this banana for many years and has subsequently laid claim to it's origin. Cheers, LPN.