amboos are members of the grass family, the Poaceae still used for construction, scaffolding, flooring and indeed or the older wider clan, the Gramineae.. For centuries for utensils and wonderful artefacts. Of course they are at Bin Asia, where most kinds originate, they have been their most beautiful when used in their natural, living form held in high regard and used both for aesthetic and practical as plants. Elegant and distinctive, they rarely compete with purposes. They are hardy and evergreen and can be grown other plants. Because they are grasses, they share with their in most soil types. There are over a thousand species ranging smaller relatives the quality of movement, and that wonderful in size from dwarf varieties to towering giants. Bamboos are swishing sound.
Their delicate-looking leaves and attractive canes make a pleasing contrast to most other types of plants. Part of their charm is their versatility. In the classic perennial border or the mixed border of shrubs and perennials, bamboos can be used to add evergreen structure to the composition. Use them behind other plants to form a quiet green backdrop, or repeat them throughout the border to make vertical accents, in the same way that conifers are sometimes used. Phyllostachys and fargesia varieties are especially suited to this, and are far more interesting than static conifers. To heighten a tropical look, bamboos can be mixed with exotic, medium- sized trees such as snakebark maple, paulownia and catalpa or with evergreen, broad-leaved and coniferous types like hoheria, eucryphia, schefflera, Himalayan pine and the lovely Chinese fir Cunninghamia lanceolata. Even in a small garden a wonderful miniature woodland can be created with just a couple of trees and some bamboos. Herbaceous plants and grasses can also be used as companion plants, including Reineckia carnea, Persicaria nepalensis, epimedium, vincas, the grass Hakonechloa macra, the three sedges Carex morrowii ‘Fisher’s Form’, Carex umbrosa subsp. sabynensis ‘Thinny Thin’, and spreading perennial flowers Euphorbia cyparissias, Va ncouveria
hexandra, Fragaria chiloense ‘Chaval’ and Fargesia dracocephala, F. jiuzhaigou, F. nitida If you have the space, a dramatic and Waldsteinia geoides. and F. robusta can be clipped into hedges romantic way of growing bamboo is in a grove. Yo u could consider Use a living screen of swaying bamboo or even cubes. Bamboo hedges should Phyllostachys vivax ‘Aureocaulis’, P. vivax to hide unsightly views. Upright be trimmed to shape when the shooting ‘Huangwenzhu’ and P. flexuosa for this. varieties like Fargesia robusta and period is over in spring to early summer. The opposite of a grove is a single Semiarundinaria viridis are ideal where Some bamboos are suitable as windbreak specimen, but suitable for a small space. a tall, slim fence effectis required, as in solutions. Pseudosasa japonica and For dramatic impact use lone bamboos a small garden where space is limited Phyllostachys bissettii for example work well in gravelled areas, in a sweeping lawn or along the side passage of the house. in rooftop and balcony situations. They or to brighten up the corner of a Bamboos in the fargesia group, including can also be used as part of a shelterbelt. shadowy courtyard. Favourites include
Ta ll bamboos
Phyllostachys Phyllostachys Phyllostachys aurea aureosulcata aureosulcata ‘Aureocaulis’ ‘Spectabilis’ Golden bamboo is very hardy with Golden crookstem Green sulcus-type unmistakable has gleaming yellow bamboo canes are canes: distinct stems. Hardiest of all a warm yellow, swellings beneath the yellow or golden- streaked with green. each node. Most stemmed bamboos; Grow as specimen positions as makes a splendid plant or as screen. specimen, sunny specimen plant or The lower branches border, or well-fed screen. can be trimmed to in container. Height: 4–6 metres. show off the culms. Height: Up to Height: 4–6 metres. 5 metres.
Phyllostachys Phyllostachys nigra Phyllostachys bissettii ‘Punctata’ viridi-glaucescens Shiny dark green Black bamboo has Ta ll phyllostachys culms and elegant arching canes dark thrives in good soil dark green leaves. and shining as protected from the Establishes quickly polished ebony. The wind. Deep green and ideal where a ‘Punctata’ form has canes and long fast-growing, dense black spots to deep leaves, glossy green, green screen is black-purple. Spec- bluish underneath, required; in sun or imen against a light graceful background shade. background. plant. Height: 4–6 metres. Height: to 5 metres. Height: up to 6 metres.
Phyllostachys Pseudosasa Thamnocalamus vivax japonica spathiflorus ‘Huangwenzhu’ ‘Aristatus’ Olive-green culms A tall fast-growing and large deep Clumping with light plant, this green- green glossy leaves. green leaves and and-yellow-caned Any position or soil; muted yellow-green bamboo is still most wind-resistant. canes. On older quite a rarity; sun Runner contained clumps the leaves or semi-shade, frost by yearly trim of start approximately resistance. Makes rhizomes; hedge or 2 metres up the superb solitary clump. cane; space-saving, semi-shade. specimen. Height: up to Height: 5–7 metres. 6 metres. Height: up to 6 metres.
Phyllostachys Phyllostachys Semiarundinaria bambusoides vivax fastuosa f. lacrima-deae ‘Aureocaulis’ Ta ll, hardy Uncommon Chinese The golden-yellow bamboo of tropical bamboo has green culms are decorated appearance, culms and branches with vertical green green culms age overlaid with stripes of varying to a purplish hue, blackish-purple, thickness. This straight and strong leopard-like spots. unique plant is with lush dark green Ta ll, thick canes, hardy but thrives in leaves. Canes will not clumping for a warm a sunny position; lean forward. position. specimen plant. Height: 6–8 metres. Height: 6–8 metres. Height: 4–6 metres.
the choicer phyllostachys varieties with coloured stems and interesting leaves. Phyllostachys nigra ‘Punctata’, P. aureosulcata ‘Aureocaulis’ and Thamnocalamus spathiflorus ‘Aristatus’ come to mind. Bamboos look very elegant in pots and tubs. They need watering and feeding regularly to ensure that they never dry out. Containerised bamboos are tailor- made for the smaller garden, including urban balconies and courtyards. Suitable ones include Fargesia rufa, F. scabrida and F. murieliae ‘Simba’. Many of the dwarf and smaller bamboos are superb for groundcover and soon make a dense, weed-suppressing covering of shapely, evergreen leaves. Try, for instance, Pleioblastus chino ‘Elegantissima’, ‘Tsuboi’ and Shibateaea kumasaca. Bamboos are one of the very best plants for stabilizing soil on steep slopes and river banks, especially if they are watered regularly while being established. Sasaella mas ‘Albostriata’, Sasa tsuboiana and S. veitchii are excellent for this purpose. I am often asked what my favourite rare bamboo is. There are many. I particularly like Borinda albocerea for its blue dewy young canes; B. nujiangensis for its graceful foliage; Chusquea gigantea for being an impressive giant; Chimonobambusa
Medium bamboos
Chimonobambusa Fargesia Fargesia rufa quadrangularis dracocephala Very rare, hardier Square-shaped Very hardy from the than most other canes. Leaves long, mountain forests fargesias. As the glossy and highly of China, clump- olive-green canes decorative. The ing variety. Dark mature, they lean Square Bamboo green, dense foliage, luxuriantly away may be grown an impenetrable from the centre; in sun or shade; hedge. Unlike some eye-catching, soli- elegant screening, fargesia, it tolerates tary specimen. specimen or con- sun without leaves Height: 2–2.5 tainer. curling. metres. Height: 2.5–3 Height: 2 metres. metres.
Fargesia murieliae Fargesia murieliae Pleioblastus linearis ‘Jumbo’ ‘Simba’ Rare in Europe. Its ‘Jumbo’ is a new ‘Simba’ is more leaves are long and variety with green dwarf habit than the narrow (up to 25cms canes and delicate, species. Leaves of in length). Tends to fresh green leaves. It apple-green colour spread but can be makes a thick, bushy and the green culms nipped out in the plant or arched curve gently. Small- first few years; wide hedge; any position er screen, or in a range of conditions. in the garden. pot kept watered; Height: 2–3.5 Height: 3 metres. shelter. metres. Height: 1.5–2 metres.
Sasa palmata Fargesia robusta Fargesia nitida ‘Nebulosa’ Clumping type Medium-sized dain- Canes have distinc- relatively new to cul- ty plant with closely tive dark markings. tivation in the West. spaced, near-pur- Canopy of large In China it is known ple, slim culms. palmate leaves flat- as the ‘walking stick The fine, lustrous topped appear- bamboo’. Like most leaves make it arch ance. An excellent fargesias, best in gracefully. Shady shelter plant where shade. position. Screen or space permits. Height: up to 4 specimen. Height: 2.5 metres. metres. Height: 3–4 metres.
Hibanobambusa Hibanobambusa Yushania anceps tranquillans tranquillans ‘Shiroshima’ Fine leaved bamboo Hybrid of sasa and from cool zones phyllostachys. Large Variegated leaves in India. Upright sasa-like leaves and on olive-green canes smooth, the phyllostachys canes with white round and slender groove down streaks. Resistant with rich green the cane. Most to drought, cold leaves. Moist, semi- positions, weather and wind. Looks shade conditions; resistant. Mound of wonderful as single hedge or screen. dense foliage. specimen or with Height: 3 metres or Height: 2–4 metres. smaller bamboos. more. Height: 2–4 metres.
tumidissinoda, the walking-stick Thamnocalamus spathiflorus ‘Aristatus’, bamboo, C. quadrangularis, the square a spectacular signature bamboo in bamboo, Thamnocalamus crassinodus Dereen Gardens, Co. Kerry, and clearly ‘Merlin’, with its lovely tiny foliage and loving the Irish climate.
Peter Stam, MGLDA, is a garden designer and runs a specialist bamboo nursery in Co. Waterford. Photographs: Bernard van Giessen. Botanical drawings: Susan Sex
Planting tips and care
GROUND-COVER BAMBOOS
Ground-cover bamboos Rare & Special Bamboo
Fargesia murieliae Indocalamus Chusquea culeou ‘Bimbo’ tessellatus Fast-growing from ‘Bimbo’ rarely Largest leaves of all Chile, solid culms grows taller or the hardy species, 50 clustered together, spreads wider than cm, bends the canes fine, blue-green a metre. It is happy forward making a leaves. Moist soil in both in light shade graceful mound. sun or part-shade. and in a sunny Grows in semi-shade Generally very position not too or sun. Some control hardy; specimen. dry; small garden as is a runner. Height: 2–3 metres. or in s container. Height: 0.8-1 metre. Height: up to a metre.
Pleioblastus Shibataea Sasa kurilensis shibuyanus kumasaca ‘Shimofuri’ ‘Tsuboi’ Leafy clumps that Large leaves, Fine upright culms may be trimmed borne in palmate and green leaves into hedges, balls or clusters at top of marked with broad gently undulating slim canes, subtly creamy stripes. mounds of greenery striped with fine Grows in most sites in spring. Short, white lines, giving and conditions. Grow broad, dark green a delicately muted it as a clump, hedge leaves; grow in good variegation. or as groundcover. shelter. Robust. Height: 0.9–1.2 Height: 60–90cms. Height: 2.5 metres. metres.
Sasa veitchii Chimonobambusa Chimonobambusa marmorea tumidissinoda Large leaves wither around Semi-dwarf upright The culm-nodes the margin and bamboo has slender are swollen so that in spring fresh canes with feathery the length of each green leaves tufts of bright green gently curving replace the old leaves. Fertile soil in cane is punctuated growth. Keen semi-shade or sunny, with exaggerated, runner, useful for graceful pot plant. angular groundcover and Tends to run. protrusions. Use a container. Height: 1–2 metres. rhizome barrier; Height: up to a light shade. metre. Height: 2–2.5 metres.
Pleioblastus Pleioblastus Thamnocalamus variegatus viridistriatus crassinodus ‘Kew Beauty’ Dwarf whitestripe One of the best is the best of the variegated bamboos Canes are slender white variegated in semi-shade to and upright with bamboos, with zig- full sun. Ye llow tiny leaves. When zagged culms and foliage with bright mature, they striped dark green green stripes. Can arch slightly and leaves. Thicket; be cut down in early change to reddish- thrives both in sun spring for fresh brown in good and shade. colour. light. Clumping Height: 0.8–1.2 Height: 0.8–1.5 for moist, dappled metres. metres. shade. Height: 4–5 metres.