Bamboo in the garden

For many people, bamboo symbolizes a large part of the Asian way of life, which they associate with calm and balance. What could be more obvious than the consideration, to plant your own little bamboo forest. But before you start, there are a few things to consider first.

General information about bamboo

First of all: There is absolutely no such thing as bamboo. There are over 1000 different sorts, the heights of 30 Centimeters to 3 Meters. To be able to distinguish the individual types, it helps a little, if one becomes familiar with the botanical generic names. The following bamboo grasses are most common in our gardens:

• Now
• Pseudosasa
• Arundinaria

Now

The most famous representative here is Sasa pygmaea. As the name suggests, it is dwarf bamboo. He just will 30 Inches high. Its green foliage turns yellow in the winter

Attention: Sasa pygmaea likes to reproduce by runners and is sometimes difficult to keep in check.

Pseudosasa

This bamboo grass is probably the best-known representative in Central European gardens. Its different types can be heights of 50 Reach centimeters to several meters. The propagation takes place by dividing the clumps and also by forming runners.

Arundinaria

There are also many different species of this bamboo genus, which stand out for their size, Differentiate leaf shape and leaf color. Most of the Arundinarias are quite frost hardy and for the most part do without the formation of the often annoying runners.

The tribe of Bambuseae

The woody bamboo species are found under this name, that you know from the movies. They are usually very large and are only conditionally suitable for small gardens. Who has a lot of space, he can use it to create a real hedge, plant a grove or an exotic privacy screen. Fargesia and Phyllostachys are particularly suitable for this. They are not only quite robust and can even withstand temperatures of around −20 ° C for a short time.

Attention: Phyllostachys is also notorious for its runners. In a location that suits him, he can invest astonishing energy in its expansion. Fargesia, however, stays there, where to plant it.

Those: Manfred Schütze / pixelio.de

Where does the bamboo grow best??

Of course, when buying, you should find out more about the location conditions of the individual plants. In general, however, it can be assumed, that the bamboo prefers moist locations, but doesn't like waterlogging. Most varieties love a partially shaded to sunny spot.

Attention: The Japanese Arundinaria viridistriata does not like the sun. He is the bamboo, who prefers to grow in the shade and downright stunted in the blazing sunlight.

Can you cut bamboo??

Actually every bamboo is cut compatible. Older ones, yellowed and dead parts can be easily removed. Usually the plants become even stronger and more beautiful after such a treatment. This also applies to the pruning, if the bamboo should get too high.

What about the bamboo blossom now?

Countless myths and stories have grown up around the bamboo blossom. But the fact is: When the bamboo blooms once, if the plant needs all its strength, it slowly dies. This can then sometimes drag on for a few years. However, on a world scale, that only happens to everyone 60 to 80 Years ago.

Attention: The inconspicuous flowers have been found on Fargesia for some time. Here you can harvest and sow the mature seeds in late summer, to grow new plants.