Bamboo
for gardens
With the recent flowering of Fargesia nitida,
F. murielae and F. gansu, collectors have
lost a few of the old favorites but gained
opportunities
to purchase new generation plants which were
selected from thousands of seedlings
after
the flowering and death of the old plants
and from cross pollination. These new forms
hopefully will now not flower for more than
a century. Like all enthusiasts I look forward
to trying some of these in my garden. F.
nitida 'Black Pearl' has been singled out
as a reliable
choice with very dark wine to black coloured
culms, good hardiness and more capable of
withstanding sun than the original nitida.
I recently purchased
this along with F. nitida 'Pillar' which
promises culms
fading
to dark brown in winter, as well as with
Fargesia demissa 'Gerry' which looks spectacular.
Also worth noting are ‘Viking’ which
is more upright and ‘Winter Joy’ -
far more tolerant of full sun. I will be
writing about my recent purchases after noting
their
performance in my garden.
The
other interesting family of bamboo introduced
recently are the KR series and
related Borindas, collected by Keith
Rushford, hence KR. See below for further
details.
At the other end of the scale, some of
the recent introductions of 'giants',
close relatives
of Phyllostachys dulcis, such as Phyllostachys
prominens and Ph. Shanghai 3 certainly show
promise, with good hardiness combined with
exceptionally thick culms, although in the
coldest gardens they have proved somewhat
slower to mature than hoped. In
Northern Europe and
colder parts of North America Phyllostachys
atrovaginata and Ph. Parvifolia remain best
choices where large culm diameter and good
height are desired along with ability to
survive the more extreme winters
of late.
Here are my bamboo choices for
temperate gardens, including plants I own,
have owned or would like to:
Borinda albocerea - I have
in my collection Yunnan 2 - beautiful plant
with powder blue culms, eventually aging
to a straw brown-yellow. Leaves are mid-green.
Extremely attractive but best in a sheltered
spot in part
shade. Cold
hardiness is still not fully known but my specimens
in pots have survived two harsh winters
with little to no damage at all. Yunnan 3 is
a slight variation with smaller leaves and
is
considered
the type.
Recently
purchased is Yunnan 1, allegedly lacking
the blue colour on new culms, it nevertheless,
even as a small plant now, shows great potential
for beauty in its structure. On my young
plants the leaves appear slightly smaller
and are more
sparse
than
on
Yunnan 2. Over the winter of 2012, my small
plants in pots
were unaffected by the cold.
 
Borinda
albocerea Yunnan 2 Borinda
lushuiensis -
also known previously as B.Yunnan 4 or B. Edulis
is a breathtakingly beautiful Borinda for
only the most sheltered gardens
in Cornwall or possibly Central
London. One of the least cold hardy Borindas,
needing
shelter
from
strong
sun
and wind but an example at Carwinion in Cornwall
is now over 25', with spectacular thick
powder blue culms and orange-purple-rust coloured
sheaths. I've seen this plant with my own eyes.
It's very dramatic and majestic in its stature.
Sadly, plants elsewhere in Britain were severely
affected
by recent
winters
and
many died.
Borinda
papyrifera CS1046 -
Not quite
as spectacular as Yunnan 4 but hardier.
Has rapid vertical growth to about 25’.
But again, needs shelter. Unfortunately
it too was affected by
recent winters. My specimen which was in
a pot in an exposed site was finished
off by coastal winds and chill. Borinda
papyrifera KR 3968 is a good alternative,
grown at Ness Botanic Gardens where the
lush growth covers the culms and for this
reason, according to Mike Bell, has not
proved as popular as CS1046 but it is nevertheless
hardier than 1046 and an outstanding bamboo. Borinda
/ KR series - relatively new to cultivation
are the KR series and related Borindas, collected
by Keith Rushford (hence KR). Mike Bell,
President Emeritus of the Bamboo
Society Great Britain and noted bamboo
authority recommends the
following
for
small gardens:
Borinda nujiangensis, Borinda
frigidorum and Borinda
contracta (protected site).
For medium-sized gardens he recommends:
Borinda
solida,
Borinda albocerea No.2 (protected site),
KR 6243 and KR
7613. For large gardens,
the
following
are recommended: KR 3968, KR6439, Borinda
perlonga and Borinda lushuiensis (for a
protected site).
I
recently purchased KR6243 from
PW Plants in Norfolk.
While
not
quite
as grand
in its proportions as B. papyrifera or
B lushuiensis, it nevertheless shows promise
and is reputedly significantly
hardier than the above.
It also promises beautiful shades of
powder blue on new culms. More on this with
time. For now among
collectors,
many
of
the
KR series remain unknown quantities. The
use of the KR series as alternatives to other
bamboos is mentioned in other sections of this
list.
Update:
My example of KR6243 curled its leaves in response
to
cold this winter but survived unscathed.
From the
evidence
in
my
garden it is somewhat less cold tolerant than
Borinda albocerea 1 or 2, each suffering little
or no leaf curl.
Chimonobambusa tumidissinoda -
Used traditionally to make walking sticks.
Has very attractive
cymbal-shaped culm nodes. Care
should be taken when planting,
however, as this has a vigorous
running rhizome which will ‘look for water’ if planted
in dry or adverse conditions. It would be perfect
by a lake or a pond. To about 12’ in
UK.
Chimonobambusa
tumidissinoda leaves in foreground on a young
plant
Chusquea
gigantea -
Originally from South America.
RHS Garden Wisley is
home to a
magnificent 20 year old specimen.
This is something very
special indeed,
coveted by most collectors and
referred to by some as 'The Holy Grail' of
bamboo.
Can be a very large, impressive plant
in time.
Can
grow
up
to 30’ or
even 40’ H with 2” culms. Not suitable
for a small garden.
 
Mature Chusquea
gigantea
at Wisley
Drepanostachyum
microphyllum -
borderline hardiness
to about -8 ºc but extremely graceful
and delicate
with tiny leaves on thin
arching culms that go deep purple-red in
sun. Very feminine clumping shape, like
a fountain.
Worthing
trying in
a
sheltered spot free
from frost or harsh winds,
or in a large container
that can be
moved into a conservatory
in winter. Not much
larger than 10’ max.
One of the most beautiful
of all the tiny leaved
bamboos. Mine, planted outside, suffered a
bit this winter with loss
of
some
leaves
but
is otherwise intact.
 
Drepanostachyum
microphyllum with tiny leaves
Drepanostachyum
khasianum - supposedly less hardy
than microphyllum, with a more upright
habit, slightly larger leaves and
taller stature, it appears to be just as
hardy but with consistent winter leaf damage,
generally regenerating and looking tidier
by late spring, nevertheless, it inevitably
gets damaged
by late
autumn/
early winter gales as it shoots so late in
the season. New culms don't emerge until
late august at the earliest and continue
growing and emerging well into November/December.
Early
winter winds invariably snap the as
of yet
unhardened
new culm tops. Despite all of this, my
plant sent up 18 strong fresh shoots in winter
2011/2012 and of these, 16 survived well,
although
with a few having their culm tops snapped
by sudden gusts, as described. I tidied them
up by cutting the tops off all new culms
to create
a more
uniform effect. In a less windy site a
problem such as this wouldn't occur and you
would
be able to appreciate this gorgeous bamboo
that to my eyes almost resembles a Chusquea
gigantea in miniature, in structure if not
in culm colour.
Fargesia demissa 'Gerry' - one
of the best new Fargesias. Thick
(for Fargesia), upright growth with very
dark culms, emerging
with a white
bloom. Promises beautiful colour
and structure. More on this once its performance
in the garden has been observed. Purchased
from Kimmei nursery in the Netherlands.
Fargesia
murieliae - When
clumping bamboos
flower,
once in
a while
or once in decades,
they usually die but
set seeds giving
rise to the
next generating of plants. Ask specialist
suppliers about new seedlings
now available
after the recent flowering.
NB:
Care should be taken when purchasing
any plant
at regular gerden centres labelled 'Fargesia
muriellae'. Some of these are
the old muriellae (1992) that experienced
delayed flowering starting in spring 2011,
after rejuventation via
hormone treatment of the mother plant.
The one I saw at my local garden centre
very
much fits this description and was in flower,
with much darder than normal culm colouring,
a more upright habit and sparser in leaf
... what happens once a Fargesia flowers.
Fargesia nitida -
This plant also
flowered recently.
New generations are now available. Ask specialist
nurseries about the new forms.
F.
nitida ‘Jiuzhaigou
1’ -
relatively
recent
introduction,
now
quite common,
with fresh green
culms
that go
a deep
red
in sun
and then age
to a pale amber-ochre.
You will never
tire of the range
of spectacular
colours
the canes go
through
as they age.
c. 8’ max.
F.
nitida ‘Jiuzhaigou
2’ -
less common,
a much duller red fading to
a red-brown
ochre
but still
attractive
and useful
in the garden.
More sun tolerant
than No.1
 
F.
nitida ‘Jiuzhaigou 2’ in a pot
F. nitida ‘Jiuzhaigou 4’ is
quite a short plant with near black culms in
good light. This plant has a weeping habit.
Purchased from Pan Global Plants in Gloucestershire.
F.
nitida ‘Jiuzhaigou 8
and 9' - both of these also deserve
further investigation. 8 has more of a powder
blue bloom, 9 is one of the tallest, somewhat
more spreading and goes a beautiful red-purple
in
sun.
F.
nitida ‘Jiuzhaigou 10’ -
lacks the bright red tints of No.1 but turns
the
richest
of golden yellows with age and is a very desirable
garden plant.
F.
nitida ‘Jiuzhaigou Genf’ (Geneva),
another recent introdution, similar to No.1
but larger
in all dimensions and should become quite popular
when more readily available. The bright red
colour on new culms, however, doesn't last
quite as
long as with No.1. I purchased mine from Pan
Global Plants.
Fargesia
scabrida -
Collector’s
plant but
becoming
more readily
available.
More upright
than
the above
with potentially
larger
culms that
turn a
very deep
and
intense
chocolate-purple-black
in sun,
contrasting
strikingly
with
brick orange
culm sheaths.
Stunning.
 
Fargesia
scabrida leaves and culm colour
Fargesia
Utilis -
At 16’, one of the
largest Fargesias. Spreads
laterally as much as vertically.
It has a drooping fountain-shaped
habit and needs
space to show itself off.
Described as resembling
a ‘nuclear bomb’ with
its mushroom cloud shape.
Not suitable for a small
garden
as it will crowd out nearby
plants. Looks magnificent,
however, by
a lake
or by itself
where it might
be admired from all sides. A
new alternative might
be KR
5913, which
has the 'mushroom'
shape of F. utilis but
is more colourful.
Hibanobambusa tranquillans ‘Shiroshima’ -
Very striking, with strong
cream stripe variegations
on big leaves,
to 9”. Can grow to about
15’ H. Looks best
when pruned, with lower
branches
removed. Best
in semi-shade.
Indocalamus tessellatus -
Huge leaves up to a foot and a half
on a mature plant,
sometimes more. More like
a spreading
shrub than a
clump.
Rarely over 6’ tall,
usually much less. Makes
an excellent
contrast against other
bamboo with normal sized
leaves. I. hamadae has
even larger leaves but
looks tatty in sun, doesn’t
like wind and has a rampant
root system - easier in
a pot, unless
you have
the space. Both much
better in shade and when
tidied and pruned. Stunning
as a foil against tiny
leaved
varieties.
Phyllostachys aureosulcata ‘Spectabilis’ -
my first bamboo; readily
available at many garden
centers but still
an excellent
all-rounder.
Fresh
culms sometimes do a
bizarre zig-zag before
straightening
out again.
In sun gets a
purple 'tan’ but
settles back to a strong
yellow with green in
the sulcus. This plant
can
take
a fair
amount
of abuse and still look
good. Culms to c.1”,
H to c. 20’. Ph.
aureosulcata ‘Lama
Tempel’ is
a collector’s
item. Mine was never
as strong as Spectabilis.
It would require two
mature
plants side by side to
see significant differences
between them or with
Aureocaulis - the pure
golden variety. Ph.
aureosulcata ‘Argus’,
with random green stripes is
another hard to find collector's plant
with striping more defined than on
Ph. aureosulcata Harbin or Harbin
Inversa
but without the 'wrinkles' or longitudinal
ridges (similar but not quite as pronounced
as on Ph. marliacae) found on the latter
two.
Ph
aureosulcata in my view is an altogether
better, hardier and more interesting bamboo than
the very boring and commonly used Ph. aurea.
In Europe and in warmer climates, Ph. aureosulcata
is a taller, thicker culmed architectural
plant.
a young Phyllostachys
aureosulcata Spectabilis in my front garden
Phyllostachys bambusoides ‘Holochrysa’ -
very attractive, with
thick, golden yellow culms against
rich, deep
green leaves.
The type - Phyllostachys
bambusoides, is a giant
timber bamboo in its native
habitat
but never reaches
full height
in the UK. ‘Holochrysa’ is
far more reliable if
not quite as thick or
tall.
The type may
well
be
worth trying but it might
take over 20 years before
you get something
worth looking
at.
Phyllostachys bambusoides ‘Marliacae’ -
An extremely special
collector’s
plant. Has ‘wrinkled’ culms
with longitudinal ridges.
Slow to start but eventually,
thick,
gorgeous,
highly unusual culms
in a medium green. Essential.
Phyllostachys
bambusoides Marliacae starting to produce
the beginnings of thicker culms
Phyllostachys edulis / Ph. pubescens -
Delicate leaves and giant
culms.
In the UK, may take a generation
before maturity but you might have
something few others have.
In China, known as 'Moso',
it will grow to over 100’ with
tree-trunk sized culms.
In Cornwall culms have been measured
at just under 4”.
Despite being very slow
to take off, it’s
still worth trying as it
will tolerate -
20 ºc. Sadly it lacks
the
heat it requires in summer for
monstrous growth. At La
Bambouseraie in Anduze,
Provence, Southern France
examples of this
plant are so large I couldn't
wrap my arm around some
of the culms. Available
from Jungle Giants, Shropshire.
 
Phyllostachys pubescens at Penjerrick,
Cornwall
Phyllostachys fimbriligula -
relatively recent introduction. I have
an example growing in my
front garden.
Vase shaped at first, then strongly
vertical. Capable
of withstanding
harsh maritime
winter winds
with not too much damage. Classified
as
a giant. Purchased from the Palm Centre, Ham,
London.
Phyllostachys
fimbriligula - still too young to produce thick
culms
Phyllostachys
iridescens - known for its random stripes,
yellow aging to brown on green aging
to yellow green culms. New shoots have
beautiful bright red-brown sheaths. A strong
and fast grower capable of very large culms
in cool temperate gardens. I've seen it used
in a Chelsea Flower Show garden to great effect.
Phyllostachys
prominens - another
of the new giants suited to cool European
gardens. Apparently related to Phyllostachys
dulcis.
Monstrous culms recorded in Holland. Still
very rare in the UK. Reputedly
even larger than Ph. Shanghai 3 but in
reality they are not that different in appearance.
Not for small gardens. Available at the Roddings
Plantery, Essex.
Phyllostachys
nigra ‘Megurochiku’ -
Rare collector plant. The type;
Ph. nigra Henonis is
the type for the all black
bamboo Ph. nigra. ‘Megurochiku’ is
black in the sulcus only and
green on the rest of the culm, aging
to a rich
yellow. Stronger
and larger than ‘nigra’ -
about the same vigour as Henonis.
A mature, well maintained
plant
in full sun is
beautiful and unusual
with rich yellow culms with
black-brown in the
sulcus. On the thickest of
culms, however, the 'black
stripe'
is less pronounced in relation
to the overall dimensions of
the culm. Leaves
at
lower
level should be removed so
the culm colouring can
be admired.
 
Phyllostachys
nigra Megurochiku - Recently planted
Phyllostachys nigra ‘Fulva’ -
Another collector's item.
Goes a tawny brown rather
than full black. Slow growing
and not as tall but highly attractive.
Stunning
shades
of rich
browns when mature. The leaves are also somewhat
more sparse and a paler green.
Phyllostachys
fulva with culms that are tawny rather than
'black'
Phyllostachys parvifolia -
translated from Latin: - parvi - small,
folia - leaves.
In the right
spot this is a proper giant, potentially
bigger than P. vivax and more tolerant
of cold
too. Some have called it the ‘edulis’ of
the north. Even in parts of Scotland
you have a fair chance of getting giant
culms,
of course,
with small leaves. Starts off with
a fountain shape but later growth is
more
vertical
and more impressive. Like all larger
bamboo, this plant appreciates plenty
of water and nutrients before it can
offer giant culms.
This,
along with Ph. atrovaginata/ Ph. congesta
are
reputedly the most cold hardly of
the timber bamboos capable of giant culms. Both
purchased from Jungle Giants in Shropshire.
Phyllostachys Shanghai 3 - A
new introduction that has fared better
in Europe
than Britain. Super-giant culms have
been a rarity in the UK's climate thus
far. Perhaps
more time is needed for the development
of mature examples. Not suitable for small
gardens. My juvenile plant produced impressive
new growth from a small rootstock last year.
Bought from Jungle Giants in Shropshire.
Phyllostachys
sulphurea ‘Robert
Young’ -
Very beautiful new acid green culms
with thin yellow stripes aging to green
stripes on yellow culms. Will do well
in a warm spot, eventually sending
out thick
strong growth. A giant in warmer
climates.
Phyllostachys vivax -
The traditional giant timber bamboo
for temperate gardens. The timber is never
as strong as Ph.
bambusoides but very few other bamboos
can match it for speed of growth
or thickness of culms
- measured at over 3.5” even
in Greater London. Within five to
six years
you should have
an impressive specimen but protect
from strong winds. Ph. vivax ‘Aureocaulis’ is
yellow with random green stripes, Ph.
vivax ‘Huangwenzhu’ is
the reverse with green and random
yellow stripes. Ph. vivax is a plain
green
but still
very
much worth
trying but be aware that in a windy
site the thin-walled new culms may
suffer and depeding on your luck
(or lack of it) could snap.
Phyllostachys
vivax 'Blackspot' with Ph. nigra
Boryana-type markings should prove interesting
when
introduced next year, 2013, by Kimmei nurseries
in Holland.
Pleioblastus linearis -
a very elegant medium to small
bamboo with long narrow
leaves and slim culms.
Pleioblastus pygmaeus ‘Distichus’ -
the pygmy bamboo, normally not
much more than 1’ - 1 1/2’.
Can get invasive in the wrong location
but wonderful
as
a groundcover
beneath and around giants. Can
be pruned almost like a lawn. Mine
is
currently
in flower.
Sasa kurilensis ‘Shimofuri’ -
Collector’s
item. Beautiful, rare bamboo with very fine cream
and green striations. Much finer than the variegation
on Hibanobambusa tranquillans ‘Shiroshima’.
Never very tall. Spreading rhizome. Max H is
approx 8’. New culms have
gorgeous colours.
Sasa palmata ‘Nebulosa’ -
Extremely invasive in the ground
where it can potentially
dominate all other plants in its
path, and once established, virtually
impossible to eradicate
without destroying all else. Not
recommended
unless the root system is constrained
by an industrial root barrier.
But, contained in a pot, its palmate
leaf form can look very tropical
and is
even more attractive when lower
branches are pruned. But be careful where
you place
the pot - it has been known to escape
from the hole at the base! Great in a sheltered
garden in London, confined to a pot,
not so good in a windy site by the sea.
 
Sasa palmata showing 'palmate' leaves, and,
growing by a pond in Penjerrick, Cornwall
Semiarundinaria fastuosa -
Very handsome. Fantastic for framing a
view. Perfect
for a spot requiring
vertical-straight, upright growth.
About 25’ max
H. Culms c 1 1/2”, hardy to
-25 ºc. Looked great
in my London garden. S. fastuosa ‘Viridis’ is
taller, to c. 35’.
Thamnocalamus crassinodus ‘Kew
Beauty’ -
Beautiful if borderline hardy
( to -13 ºc), with powder blue new
culms
than turn rich purple
in sun, eventually aging to straw
yellow. It doesn't appreciate much sun
here in Hastings.
Better and rarer is Th.
crassinodus ‘Lang Tang’,
with the tiniest of leaves and weeping
habit but best of all is the
somewhat
more
upright Th.
crassinodus ‘Merlyn’ which
is also a slightly bigger plant
(named after Merlyn Edwards who brought
these
plants to the West from
China. All are gorgeous, clumping
- i.e. non-spreading
but do better
in shade. Can get over 20’. Th.
crassinodus ‘Gosainkund’ has
larger leaves, allegedly
the bluest culms of all but is the
least
hardy
(to
about
-7 ºc)
and looks
tatty
much more quickly in winter. KR
7613 is an alternative to all of
the above but is more colourful and
hardier.
'Kew Beauty' - Powder blue colouring on new
culm
Yushania maculata -
Also blue green fresh culms, smaller
than the above but very tough.
A more spreading rhizome (root
system) than Fargesia or Thamnocalamus
due to its extended rhizome 'neck'. Can
tolerate more wind, sun
and harsher
conditions
all round but
still
remain
attractive. Leaves
are bigger and
longer but a very beautiful plant
with contrasting brick-reddish sheaths
over the powder blue culms that age to
an olive green. Takes - 18 ºc. H c.12’.
Well worth considering.
Yushania maculata
A
quick note: Soil
quality, moisture, heat and shelter from
wind
can dramatically alter the shape and
ultimate height of a plant. In good conditions,
with rich
moist soil the same plant might produce
a tight clump with a few thick canes while in
poor
dry soil the rhizomes (bamboo roots)
might start spreading in search of moisture,
leaving you
with a thinner spreading bush. Water
will make a big difference to size and the time
it takes
to get there. Don’t start thinning
out the old, smaller culms until at least
the third
year as you will weaken the plant and
delay its maturity. More on bamboo in the garden
diary.
Want
to buy bamboo for your garden? Go here: European
Bamboo Society - Where
to buy Bamboo
(I
was the designer and former webmaster of the
EBS until handing over the site
to Mike Brisbane of Jungle Giants in early
2011) |
