BAMBOO: MYTHS, FACTS, FUTURE
A Popular Grass for Urban Landscapes

In the world of Washington, DC, landscaping, at least once a week someone will ask for a large (7 to 10 foot), evergreen, low maintenance, hedge plant. These urban gardeners, though enjoying their neighbors, often crave a little privacy while in their back gardens. Many are seeking to hide an old fence, or they want to know what options exist other that the tragically overused Leyland Cypress, X Cupressocyparis leylandii.

In recent years, the bamboo trade has been increasing. Many gardeners are thrilled to learn that there are 19 genera, with hundreds of species of both hardy and tropical clumping forms of bamboo. These clumping forms grow in a neater, noninvasive clump.

Clumping bamboo is every bit as beautiful as the running type sans the worry. Since most of the clumping bamboos are native to the mountainous regions of the Himalayas and Tibet, they don't like extremes of heat and drought. Climates with cooler summer evenings and milder winters suit them best.

Bamboo is a wonderful habitat for birds, can help slow erosion, and provides the elegant look, feel and sound that many gardeners have grown to love. However, bamboo does not create an increase of mosquitoes, harbor rats, or cause moss to grow on the sides of buildings.

Even the running, invasive types of this hardy, tough, endearing family of plants have their place and purpose. What a majestic sight to see a tall, expansive stand of bamboo used as a break between the fields and wood line on one of the many farms around the DC area. Make no mistake, the running types of bamboo can be a problem if not properly managed or if planted in an inner city landscape. My point here is to introduce you to the wonderful, massive world of clumping bamboos.

Bamboo Select US is a supplier of many forms of bamboo. What follows is a list of some of the best for our area.

Fargesia rufa, Green Panda
This is one of the most exciting new bamboos for Washington area gardens. The mature clumps will reach 8 feet high by 8 feet wide and are perfectly planted as a specimen or when used as a hedge or screen. New shoots will appear in spring, and the plants will quickly mature in to a large clump of approximately 8 feet in diameter.

A native to western China, this bamboo is a favorite food for the Giant Panda. It grows well in full sun or shade. Just provide Green Pandaä with moist well-drained soil, and plenty of organic compost, and watch this plant's stellar performance in your garden.

Fargesia murieliae, New Umbrella
Considered to be one of the best clumping bamboos by the growers at Bamboo select, this reliable native from the mountains of western China will mature to a 12-feet by 12-feet tight clump. New shoots appear in late summer. Use in groups, as a hedge or for the perfect evergreen screen. Rich, moist fertile soil added at planting will help ensure a rapid start.

Fargesia nitida, Great Wall
This native to the high mountains of China has an upright graceful growth habit. Maturing at 15 feet tall and forming a 12-foot clump, this is one of the cold hardiest of the clumping bamboos. New shoots emerge in late summer and are covered in a white powder. They remain branch and leafless through the winter with new leaves emerging the following spring. Moist fertile soils and full to partial shade are the ideal growing conditions for this bamboo.

Fargesia robusta, Green Screen
This is a biggie in the world of clump forming bamboo. Mature plants reach a height of 15-18 feet when mature. Quick growing this bamboo will create the best wall of green to provide the right amount of privacy to even second story windows. Sheaths are maintained and add additional interest. New shoots develop in early spring. This bamboo makes an impressive specimen, great hedge and screen. A native of western China, it enjoys organic soil with good drainage.

Fargesia scabrida, Asian Wonder
Newly introduced from China, this bamboo maxes out at 16 feet and has narrow leaves and an upwardly graceful appearance. Provide it with partial shade and moist well-drained soil. Stems show great color with orange sheaths and a steel blue color to new clums (stems). Clums mature to a rich olive green.
 
The world of bamboos is extremely extensive with new introductions being developed and tested for our area more frequently than ever. Bamboos are beginning to enjoy the popularity that was once afforded to their cousins - the ornamental grasses. The clumping varieties are the perfect solution to our screening and privacy needs in our Washington, DC, gardens.

Bamboo Select US can be contacted at www.bambooselect.us.