Stumped? Banana plants and potting benches | Lia Leendertz | Gardening

Will my banana trees ever recover from the trials of winter? Plus the hunt for a stylish potting bench

Last summer, we moved to a home with beautiful banana trees. The previous owner stated to cut them down and wrap them up before the first frost, which we did, but during the winter they seem to have died.
Patience – they should come back. This will be Musa basjoo, the hardy banana. The tops aren’t hardy, but the roots are, so even if the tops get hit by frost, they should reappear. I?have the same plant and it’s now four years old. They are stated to get hardier over time, so I’ve left mine uncovered these past two winters. Tops and all survived the first, but this last winter has, unsurprisingly, taken them back to the ground. They are only just starting to shoot now. Don’t cut the stems down before winter wrapping. Wrapped stems should come through unscathed and make even bigger, more impressive plants the following summer.

I’m after a stylish potting bench I can leave outside year round. I’m looking to spend £100-£150 at most.
The following can all be left outside and add functional chic to your outside space. Potting bench (W: 117.5cm x D: 57cm x H:?119cm), £69.99, from Garden Direct; potting bench with shelf (W:?117cm x D: 57cm x H: 119cm), £59.99, from Crocus; and Hillhout garden work plateau (W: 100cm x D: 45cm x H: 90cm), £147.61, from Taylors Garden Buildings.

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Stumped? Banana plants and potting benches | Lia Leendertz | Gardening