Bamboos are becoming increasingly popular as garden plants. A correct choice and combination of species is essential for producing the desired visual impact and ornamental effect. It is important to bear in mind that the culms, the rhizome and the leaves together determine the growth habit of the bamboo and its possible applications for gardens and landscaping in general.
In Northwestern European climate the maximum height of the tallest woody bamboos is 10 meters (as tall as 20 m in Southern Europe), while the herbaceous ones do not usually grow taller than 80 cm. The variation in stature, combined with variations in growth habit and esthetic qualities determine the application of bamboos as an ornamental. Bamboos can be used as specimen plant, as hedges and screens, as ground cover, for low mounds, or as a pot plant for the terrace. Bamboos can be combined splendidly with numerous other plants, including annuals, perennials, shrubs and trees. The evergreen foliage of bamboo provides an ideal background to colorful flowers. By itself, bamboo is a relaxing site-- an oasis in the garden.
Temperate bamboos can be classified into three main groups for ornamental purposes:
Fargesia group: medium to tall bamboos with pachymorph rhizomes. The group encompasses the following genera: Fargesia, Thamnocalamus, Drepanostachyum and Yushania
Phyllostachys group: mostly taller bamboos with leptomorph rhizomes covering the genera of Phyllostachys, Brachystachyum, Semiarundinaria, Sinobambusa, Chimonobambusa (and Qiongzhuea), Shibataea.
Sasa group: smaller to tall bamboos with leptomorph rhizomes, covering the genera Sasa, Sasaella, Pseudosasa, Pleioblastus, Indocalamus, Bashania and xPhyllosasa (Synonym xHibanobambusa)
BAMBOOS FOR SPECIFIC PURPOSES
Hardy bamboos ideal for Western Europe:
Fargesia Rufa
Fargesia murieliae
Fargesia nitida
Phyllostachys bissetii
Phyllostachys aureosulcata en vormen
Phyllostachys humilis
Phyllostachys propinqua
Phyllostachys vivax
Phyllostachys vivax “Aureocaulis”
Pleioblastus pygmaeus
Pleioblastus variegatus
Sasa palmata “Nebulosa”
Semiarundinaria fastuosa
Shibataea kumasaca
Bamboos for use a ground cover
Indocalamus latifolius
Pleioblastus distichus
Pleioblastus pygmaeus
Pleioblastus variegatus
Sasa veitchii
Sasaella glabra “Albostriata”
Shibataea kumasaca
Bamboos for damp and humid areas (but in ponds!)
Phyllostachys purpurata “Solidstrem”
Pseudosasa japonica
Sasa palmata “Nebulosa”
Shibataea kumasaca
Bamboos for dry areas
Pseudosasa japonica
Sasa palmata “Nebulosa”
Sasa veitchii
Sasaella glabra “Albostriata”
Bamboos for shady areas
Indocalamus latifolius
Fargesia nitida
Fargesia Rufa
Pleioblastus simonii
Pseudosasa japonica
Sasa soorten
Bamboo for evergreen hedges (sorted from short to tall varieties)
Pleioblastus chino “Elegantissimus”
Shibataea kumasaca
Indocalamus latifolius
Fargesia (de meest voorkomende soorden)
Pleioblastus simonii
Phyllostachys aurea en vormen
Pseudosasa japonica
Phyllostachys aureosulcata en vormen
Phyllostachys bissetii