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GARDENER'S
READING ROOM
The Art of Gardening
Practical
and Beautiful Bamboos for Puget Sound
Bamboos
have a tropical reputation, yet many varieties do superlatively
in the Puget Sound region. Sky stocks hardy varieties - some
sun-lovers, some shade; some clumping, some running; tolerating
a range of soil conditions and growing from dwarf to giant.
We are careful to buy seed-grown varieties of known longevity
so we can be confident the stock will not go to seed within
the next twenty years. (A bamboo flowers only once every
60-120
years, and once it sets seed, it dies.)
The
hardy clumping bamboos are non-invasive plants best used in
shaded or morning sun areas. Dragon’s Head (Fargesia
dracocephala) is a 9-15’ bamboo from
panda country. Its graceful weeping form makes it an excellent
screen plant. Fountain Bamboo (Fargesia
nitida) grows to 12’. Its dark purple
culms (canes) are covered with bluish white powder when young.
Its delicate vaselike form withstands temperatures down to
-20º F. Fargesia robusta,
a fairly new variety, has white-sheathed green culms and shiny
bright green leaves. It’s great for a 16-20’ privacy
hedge. Fargesia rufa
is fast becoming a star for the smaller garden. Its 8’
height makes it perfect for a smaller screen, while its orange-red
culm sheathes add a glow to the shady garden
The
next two varieties are for those who want a well-behaved bamboo
for areas with afternoon sun. Bergbamboes (Thamnocalamus
tessellates) is a unique, tightly clumping
variety from South Africa. Its 16’ culms were used in
Zulu shields, spear shafts and arrows. Chusquea
chuleo, native to Southern Chile, has been
long cultivated in England but is new to the U.S. This bamboo
is unique in having solid culms, not hollow. It looks like
giant feather plumes, growing to 18’ in either sun or
shade.
 The
selections above are “no-fear” bamboos, suited
to most gardens and tastes. Now let’s move on to
the MACHO bamboos. The timber-sized running bamboos
are all invasive - they
are usually controlled with a bamboo barrier. (We do carry
the 24” bamboo barrier and can instruct you in
its use.) Incense Bamboo (Phyllostachys
atrovaginata) is a hardy (to -15ºF),
vigorous bamboo suitable for screens or as a specimen
plant.
It tolerates wet soil, has great edible shoots, and gives
off the scent of incense when rubbed. It will grow
to 35’.
Sweetshoot
bamboo (P. dulcis)
is the best bamboo for instant gratification - it puts
up large-diameter culms early in life. Harvest its shoots
for Asian dishes. Moso Bamboo (P.
edulis) is not for the weak-hearted. Remember “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon”? This is the
bamboo the actors sparred on top of. It grows to 75’
in its native China; its final height here is not yet known.
A great variety for a wetter spot is Phyllostachys
nidularia. This lovely bamboo attains
a height of 33’; its large nodes add interest to the
garden. Its shoots are a gourmet treat. Not to fear, Sky
will also
be carrying all the old favorites: Black Bamboo, Golden Bamboo,
and more! Come visit us to select the exotic bamboo perfect
for your garden!
By Bill Bloomfield, C.P.H.
Skylights Spring/Summer 2004 Vol. 18, No. 2
Other
articles on the art of gardening
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