HARDY BAMBOOS
Thanks to Lord Redesdale (author of "The Bamboo Garden"), and a few
other gardening enthusiasts, the Bamboo has been made a beautiful
feature of many English gardens. Although a graceful shrubby grass of
quite tropical aspect, the majority of species and their varieties are
thoroughly hardy, so much so that they have passed safely through the
severest winters of the past twenty years. Bamboos and hybrid Water
Lilies are responsible for much of the interest taken in good English
gardening at the present time. Their introduction has marked a distinct
era, and their popularity is wide-spread, while in the near future we
shall regard the Bamboo much as we do the most common of shrubs now
planted. _Arundinaria japonica_ (_B. Metake_) is, of course, an old
favourite, and it is surprising that this stately species did not before
remind English gardeners of the great possibilities of the Bamboos in
the adornment of the pleasure-ground. As Mr. Bean says: "Fifteen or
twenty years ago many of the best of the sorts now largely grown were
unknown in this country; but apart from their novelty they have other
qualities. No evergreens capable of withstanding our winters exceed
these shrubby grasses in beauty and grace, in luxuriance of leafage, or
in their bright, fresh, green tints in winter. Very few, indeed, equal
them."
[Illustration: _GROUPING OF YUCCAS, PAMPAS GRASS, AND BAMBOOS, KEW
(Winter)._]
Although fifty species and varieties of this lovely family are now
grown, only about twenty need be thought of, because many of them from
the ornamental point of view are valueless in the English garden. The
hardy Bamboos belong to three groups or genera--_Phyllostachys_,
_Arundinaria_, and _Bambusa_--and it is well to thoroughly understand
these divisions. We hope those trade growers who still group everything
as Bambusa will follow the now accepted classification. The following
have proved the most hardy and beautiful in the Bamboo garden at Kew:
_Phyllostachys Henonis_, _P. fastuosa_, _P. viridi-glaucescens_, _P.
flexuosa_, _P. nigra_, _P. boryana_, _P. sulphurea_, _P. Marliacea_, _P.
ruscifolia_, _P. Castillonis_, _Arundinaria nitida_, _A. japonica_, _A.
auricoma_, _A. Simoni_, _A. Fortunei_, _A. anceps_, _A. Hindsii var.
graminea_, _Bambusa palmata_, _B. tessellata_, and _B. marmorea_.
[Illustration: _BAMBOO GARDEN AT KEW, WINTER_
(_In centre, Bambusa palmata; left, Phyllostachys Quilioi; right,
Bambusa tessellata_).]
In selecting a place for the Bamboo colony, think well of position.
Shelter from north and east is essential. Luxuriant leafy stems are only
possible when the plants are screened from winds in these quarters,
indeed from _all_ winds. Cold north and east winds are more harmful than
severe frost, and this applies to all the tender evergreens. A moist and
rich soil is also important. Without it luxuriant growth is impossible,
and a Bamboo that is not leafy, that does not bend its tall, graceful
stems to the breeze and make willowy shoots yards high, when it is
natural for it so to do, is not beautiful: the garden is more
interesting without it. Many of the species spread rapidly by
underground stems, and for this reason must never be planted without
careful thought. Each plant should tell its own tale, and not suffer
partial extinction through a choke-muddle arrangement that makes a bank
of leafage perhaps, but in which all individual beauty is hopelessly
lost. Some Bamboos, like _Phyllostachys viridi-glaucescens_ and _P.
Henonis_, need ample space for full development. Transplant always in
_late spring_, never in winter and early spring. When bamboos were first
grown in this country on a large scale many deaths occurred through
transplanting in winter.
With the utmost care Bamboos in the fickle British climate get sadly
browned in February and May, the outcome of either a hard winter or keen
east winds in spring. The stems are seldom injured, and Mr. Bean says
"the underground portion of the plants never is." This scorched look is
not beautiful, and is more apparent as the spring meets summer, when the
whole plant world is bursting into new life and tinting the landscape
with green. Therefore, Bamboos can never be planted so lavishly as
Rhododendrons; and we do not desire a Bamboo plague, beautiful though
the plants are in foliage and growth, so perhaps the east wind is
somewhat of a blessing. Bamboos must have favoured spots. When a single
group is desired, then choose some sheltered corner, and the same
consideration is necessary when making a Bamboo garden or grove. A
beautiful and refreshing feature of many English homes is a ravine of
these lovely grasses, and the Bamboo colony at Kew is accounted one of
the most delightful spots in the Royal Gardens.
In the _Garden_ of February 1, 1902, pp. 73, 74, is an interesting
account of the Bamboos at Kew. As this contains much practical
information, it is reproduced: "Kew was one of the first gardens in
which hardy Bamboos were grown, and it is to a great extent due to this
collection, and the collections of Mr. Freeman Mitford, Messrs. Verten,
and a few other pioneers, that the planting of hardy Bamboos has assumed
its present proportions. The creation of the Kew Bamboo garden dates
back to 1892. Previous to that the cultivation of hardy Bamboos had been
practised under great difficulties. The collection contained only a few
species, planted in poor soil in an exposed position, and were always
unsatisfactory. In addition to Bamboos, there were other
monocotyledonous plants in the same plight, hence the happy idea was
conceived of forming the present Bamboo garden. This garden is situated
on the eastern side of the Rhododendron dell, near the north or Sion
Vista end. It was originally a shallow gravel pit, and is peculiarly
adapted to the requirements of Bamboos. The depression in the ground and
the high bank of the Rhododendron dell give considerable shelter, whilst
a wide belt of large forest trees, which surrounds the north, east, and
south sides, insures almost complete protection from cold winds. The
garden is pear-shaped, and can be entered by three paths on the
south-east, west, and north sides. The banks round the sides are
terraced, and held up by large tree roots placed roots outwards, the
roots forming numerous bays and corners, each of which is given over to
one species. Separated from these bays by a gravel path 9 feet wide is a
central bed of about a quarter of an acre. This is filled with large
clumps of various species and fine single specimens, arranged in such a
way as to open a vista right through the bed here and there or into the
centre. These vistas and openings, together with the paths, add greatly
to the general effect, the plants and groups being well separated and
showing to advantage, while the beauty of the stately upright stems of
some and arching plumes of others, lining or bending over and almost
meeting across the openings, is at once seen. Intermixed with the
Bamboos are Yuccas, Miscanthus, Pampas Grass, and other things, all of
which help to give pleasing variety. Between the back of the garden and
the belt of trees a screen is formed of _Rosa multiflora_, Spiraeas,
Rhododendrons, and other shrubs, interspersed with clumps of Pampas
Grass, Yuccas, and some of the strongest and hardiest of the Bamboos.
"When first formed, stiff loam to a depth of 3 feet was spread all over
the garden, and into this large quantities of decayed leaves were mixed;
in this soil the plants have thriven well. A water main runs through the
garden, so that copious supplies of water can be given in dry weather
with little trouble.
"Altogether some forty-one species and varieties of Bamboos are
cultivated. These are composed of seventeen _Arundinarias_, nine
_Bambusas_, and fifteen _Phyllostachys_. The majority belong to China
and Japan, one, however, belonging to North America, and one to India.
The Indian species, _Arundinaria (Thamnocalamus) Falconeri_, which does
so well in the south-west counties and in Ireland, is the most difficult
to manage, and is killed to the ground every winter, while _A. falcata_
and _A. nobilis_, which are two of the most common species in the famous
Cornish gardens, refuse to thrive.
"The arrangement of the plants has undergone considerable modification
since the first planting, owing to natural development and the
introduction of more species. This has resulted in the removal of many
duplicates which have been used with large Rhododendrons as an
undergrowth to the wood adjoining the entrances, thus considerably
enhancing the beauty of the place.
"The period of the year at which the garden is at its best extends from
the early weeks of July until the Cold east winds in February and March,
for, although severe frost has little effect on the leaves of many, cold
winds from east or north quickly turn them brown. That Bamboos should
continue in good condition and practically be at their best through the
worst of the winter months is a strong recommendation in their favour,
and by leaving, as is done at Kew, the tall dead stems and leaves of
_Miscanthus_ and the plumes of the Pampas Grass, touches of colour are
given to relieve the greenery, and add greatly to the general effect.
"Of groups and single specimens the following are some of the most
conspicuous:--
"ARUNDINARIA.--_A. Simoni_, a fine irregular mass, 16 feet high and 50
feet across. _A. nitida_, several fine clumps, 11 feet high and 12 feet
across. _A. japonica_, several large clumps, 11 feet high and 20 feet
across. _A. Hindsii var. graminea_, 9 feet high by 12 feet in diameter.
"BAMBUSA.--_B. palmata_, 7 feet high and 15 feet across; this is very
distinct and handsome, and should be in every collection.
"PHYLLOSTACHYS.--_P. aurea_, 12 feet high by 16 feet through. _P.
Henonis_, 15 feet high by 12 feet. _P. Castillonis_, 12 feet high by 10
feet. _P. nigra_, 15 feet high; several fine masses. _P.
viridi-glaucescens_, 15 feet high and 6 feet through at the base, the
top spreading to 20 feet. There is also a fine specimen of this in
another part of the garden.
"Besides these there are many other fine masses.
"Among plants other than Bamboos found in the garden the Yuccas are
possibly next in importance. One group is on a bank on the north side
having a slope to the south. It is thus exposed to full sun and the
plants are happy. In both summer and winter the group forms a delightful
picture. The groundwork is composed of the elegant glaucous-leaved _Y.
angustifolia_, while here and there a plant of _Y. filamentosa_ has
crept in. Height is given to the group by dot plants of _Y. gloriosa_
and _Y. recurvifolia_, while a plant of _Cotoneaster thymifolia_
growing between the roots in front adds a little in the way of variety.
The whole picture is set in an irregular framing of Bamboos and other
plants, some of the most conspicuous of which are _Miscanthus sinensis_
in front, _Arundinaria japonica_, _A. Hindsii var. graminea_,
_Phyllostachys aurea_ and _P. Castillonis_, and Pampas Grass at the back
and sides.
"A collection of hardy species of Smilax is allowed to ramble at will
over the tree roots which form the bays, each species having its own
particular place. The species cultivated are _S. aspera_ and its
varieties, _S. maculata_ and _S. mauritanica_, _S. Bona-nox var.
hastata_, _S. hispida_, _S. rotundifolia_, and _S. tamnoides_.
"In addition to the plants named, others given places in the garden are
Kniphofias, Funkias, _Eremuri_, _Physalis_ (grown for winter effect),
_Ruscus_, _Asparagus_, &c., the whole forming an interesting collection,
and one which must be seen to be fully appreciated.
"The Kew collection is composed of _Arundinaria anceps_, _A. auricoma_,
_A. chrysantha_, _A. Falconeri_, _A. Fortunei_, _A. F. compacta_, _A.
Hindsii_, _A. H. graminea_, _A. humilis_, _A. japonica_, _A.
macrosperma_, _A. m. tecta_, _A. nitida_, _A. pumila_, _A. Simoni_, _A.
S. variegata_, and _A. Veitchii_. _Bambusa agrestis_, _B. angustifolia_,
_B. disticha_, _B. marmorea_, _B. Nagashima_, _B. palmata_, _B.
pygmaea_, _B. quadrangularis_, and _B. tessellata_. _Phyllostachys
aurea_, _P. bambusoides_, _P. boryana_, _P. Castillonis_, _P. flexuosa_,
_P. fulva_, _P. Henonis_, _P. Marliacea_, _P. mitis_, _P. nigra_, _P. n.
punctata_, _P. Quilioi_, _P. ruscifolia_, _P. sulphurea_, and _P.
viridi-glaucescens_."