Bamboos (Bambusoideae) are members of the tropical grass family, where they have thick, lignified, branched stems and reach the size of a medium tree. The few species of temperate bamboos that can live in central Russia are usually represented by grasses about 100 cm tall, less often by taller shrubs.
Short description
The leaves in the lower part of the shoot are reduced to scales. Common green leaves are lanceolate, tapering to a petiole. They rarely bloom in the southern regions. Inflorescences are large, spreading panicles. Some species die off after flowering. For growing bamboo, they choose warm and sunny, sheltered from the wind, some species tolerate light shading. Grow well on fertile, loose, drained, but constantly moist soils. It is useful for the winter to mulch the root system with peat or a leaf. Winter damage to the aboveground part is caused rather not by freezing, but by drying out due to an imbalance in the water balance during prolonged frosts and the action of the wind. Perhaps bending, tying the stems with burlap, thick paper, filling with snow neutralize this effect. Even the leaves can remain green under thick enough snow. Plants with a characteristic exotic appearance, appropriate in Japanese gardens and exquisite flower gardens. Many rhizomes are spreading, so the plant needs limitation. The taxonomy of bamboos is very confusing, and many of them have several names. When choosing bamboos from the catalog, special attention should be paid to the specific epithet, that is, the second word in the name, so as not to acquire the same plant. Minimum temperatures for bamboos are based on the American Bamboo Society.
Next, you will find out what types and varieties of decorative garden bamboos are, take a look at the photo and a brief description of the plants.
Indocalamus
Indocalamus (Indocalamus or Gelido-calamus) – these are short-rhizome, relatively low (about 200 cm) bamboos from China, distinguished by especially large leaves. Another detail is subtle knots. They are considered frost-resistant (up to -22-25 Β° C) and grow well in countries of Western Europe with a temperate climate. But they have not been tested in our climatic zone, although they are very spectacular plants of an exotic look. Several types of bamboos are common, their names are:
and. broadleaf (I. latifolius) – leaves up to 30 cm long
and. hard (I. solidus) – sheet up to 20 cm
and. chess (I. tessellates) – the most famous type, sheet up to 50 cm long
in the hamada form (I. tessellatus f. hamadae) – up to 60 cm
Leaf grate
The name of the leaf grate (Phyllostachys) is given because of the panicles hidden in the upper leaves. Plants with thick long rhizomes. Stems are tall, lignified, internodes are flattened on one side or with a groove above the branch. There are 2 branches from the nodes. Scales in the lower part of the shoots quickly fall off. Tall species are cultivated. Despite frost resistance, they are very susceptible to drying out in winter and require the development of special agricultural techniques.
L. low (P. humilis, or P. nigra “Humilis”). The bamboo is relatively low, up to 1 m in the middle lane, but in good conditions it reaches a height of 3 m.
It is widely grown in Japan, in the 70s of the last century it was introduced to Europe, and then to the USA. In Western Europe, without damaging the leaves, it can withstand frosts up to 15 C. In the middle lane it is winter-hardy in conditions of a favorable microclimate: in places where there is abundant snow cover and weak soil freezing. Resistant to frost down to -25 Β° C are:
l. Manna Decora (P. mannii “Decora” or P. decora)
different varieties of l. green (P. viridis)
l. golden (R. aigea)
l. sinuous (P. flexuosa)
l. narrow (P. angusta)
l. Makino (P. makinoi)
many varieties of L. black (P. nigra).
Up to -30 (32) Β° C endure:
l. golden-grooved (P. aureosulcata)
l. Bisset (P. bissetii)
L. red-bordered (P. rubromarginata)
l. bluish (P. viridiglaucescens)
l. knotty (P. nuda)
l. black vaginal (P. atrovaginata, or P. congest a)
Multi-source
Multi-vein (Pleioblastus) – a plant with long creeping rhizomes and branched stems. There can be up to 10 branches per node. In this genus there are many small, about 100 cm tall, herbaceous and semi-lignified species that can withstand significant frosts under the snow in the middle lane. For this reason, they are often more frost-resistant than indicated in Western catalogs. They come, as a rule, from Japan. Often grown in containers.
M. two-row (P. distichus, or P. pygmaeus var.distichus, P. pygmaeus Ramosissimus’)
Stems 20-70 cm tall, very slender. Leaves 3-7 X 0,5-0,8 cm, drawn together at the ends of the branches in two distinct rows, sticking out, glabrous, relatively rigid. It is quite winter-hardy in the Moscow region when deeply rooted. It hibernates without shelter, but usually keeps the leaves only under a thick layer of snow and when the soil does not freeze.
For shaded flower beds.
Grades: there are very miniature varieties, for example “Mini”.
M. green-striped (P. viridistriatus
P. auricomus, Arundinaria auricoma)
About 100 cm tall, dense curtain. Leaves up to 20 x 3 cm pubescent, especially below, yellow with green stripes.
In the “Chrysophyllus” variety – green stripes are very weakly expressed, the leaf has the color of an unripe lemon.
It winters stably in the Moscow region, but almost completely loses its foliage even in snowy winters. It grows quite actively, forming a dense curtain.
For shaded flower beds.
M. tiny (dwarf) (P. pygmaeus).
Horticultural name under which low green, sprawling and small-leaved plants from the genus of perennial plants may be offered in catalogs.
M. low (P. humilis, or Arundinaria gracilis, A. fortunei, A. viridis)
Thin, green stem with a bluish bloom up to 100 cm tall, branched. Leaves are light green, 10-15 cm long, relatively narrow (up to 2 cm wide), clustered at the top of the branches. Spreads out.
Similar m. Dwarf (P. pumilus, or P. humilis “Pumilis”) is distinguished by a waxy white bloom on the stem and hairy nodes.
M. Simon (P. simonii, or Arundinaria smonii).
Powerful, tall, highly branched. Stems are thin, graceful, with long internodes up to 40 cm. Leaves 10-30 x 3 cm, half-glaucous below, with 4-6 pairs of lateral veins and a clear network of intermediate ones. Not verified. Frost resistance up to -26 Β° C is indicated.
Grades:
“Heterophyllus” has a leaf with a white longitudinal striation.
M. striped, or Fortune (P. variega tus, or P. fortunei, P. pygmaeus, Sasa fortunei).
Forms a loose curtain up to 30 (50) cm tall and gives distant offspring with long rhizomes. Stems with short internodes and single branches. Leaves 6-15 X 0,8-1,4 cm, pubescent on both sides, with longitudinal white or cream stripes. Originally from Japan, widely cultivated. Very winter-hardy, actively spreading.
Effective, good for flower gardens.
M. chino (P. chino, or Arundinaria chino).
Japanese look. The potential height is 3-4 m. In the middle zone it reaches 0,5 m in height. Leaves persist in snowy winters in non-freezing soil. It grows stably and very actively, giving shoots at a distance of up to 20 cm from the curtain.
Grades: at least a dozen varieties are cultivated, mainly of Japanese origin and with variously striped leaves (“Kimmei”, “Murakamianus”, “Tsuboi”). Some of them are grown in Europe, in particular ‘Variega tus’, which is similar to the striped plant, but with larger and bare leaves.
Good for flower gardens, but requires planting with restrictive tape.
The varieties of these bamboos are shown in the photo:
Sasa
Sasa – Plants with strong long rhizomes, woody or, less often, herbaceous, usually low, about 100 cm, with short internodes, branched. Scales are dense, not falling. The branches extend 1 (2) from the nodes. Leaves are relatively large, broadly linear, sharply pointed. A very promising group for the middle zone, especially the numerous dwarf species of Sakhalin, the Kuriles, and Japan.
S. Veitch (S. veitchii, or S. albomarginata). The stem is branched at the bottom.
The edges of the leaves dry out in autumn, creating the effect of a wide white border. From Japan, widely cultivated.
Grades:
“Minor” is a low and thick dwarf form.
S. quelpartensis (S. quelpartensis).
About 30 (50) cm tall. It grows in a thick curtain. Leaves are lanceolate, up to 21 X 6,5 cm, light green, glaucous below, with 6-11 pairs of lateral veins. Winter hardiness up to -30 Β° Π‘.
Suitable for containers and as a groundcover for shade.
S. kurilskaya (S. kurilensis). The most affordable bamboo in our country, which has long been grown in a number of botanical gardens.
Non-black earth, but is practically not found on sale and is not very common among amateurs. The height in the middle lane is about 1 m. The stem is branched in the upper part. Leaves are about 20 cm long. Grows in Sakhalin, Japan and Korea. It actively spreads and hibernates well in our climatic zone, but partly loses its leaves in winters with little snow.
For flower gardens, groups of shrubs.
Grades:
‘Simofuri’ – leaves with thin and frequent white strokes, as if covered with frost.
S. nipponskaya (S. nipponis). Height 50-80 cm. Leaves are oblong 9-18 X 2,5-4,5 cm, pubescent below.
C. Chinese (S. sinica). Not higher than 1,5 m. Internodes with a powdery bloom, scales are longer than internodes. Leaves 10-20 X 1,5-3 cm. Homeland – mountain forests of China.
S. northern (S. borealis). Quite high – up to 200 cm. The knots are pubescent. Leaves are oblong, 15-20 X 1,5-2,5 cm. Occurs in the Kuril Islands.
S. Tsubo (S. tsuboiana). Quite tall – up to 150 cm, but has remarkable large leaves (25 X 5 cm) oval, glaucous below, with 5-9 pairs of lateral veins.
S. palmate (S. palmata). Tall, large-leaved bamboo. Sheet 30 X 8 cm, with 9-14 pairs of veins. Less resistant to frost (up to -22 … -26 Β° C), although it is found in the Kuril Islands. Distributed in Western Europe.
Fargesia
Fargesia (Fargesia or Sinarundinaria) – woody species from 100 cm and above. They have short rhizomes and form dense clumps. Stems are highly branched: old – arched; young ones are sticky, very reminiscent of thin ski poles. They grow in the highlands of China. Some species are famous for their frost resistance.
F. brilliant (F. nitida, or Arundinaria nitida). Stems are straight, dark brown or greenish brown, which distinguishes this species from a similar f. Muriel.
Young shoots are covered with a bluish bloom. Lignified stems 1-2 cm in diameter, highly branched. The internodes are 11-20 cm. Leathery purple scales remain on the stems for a long time. Leaves are linear-lanceolate, 3,8-7,5 X 0,6-1 cm, with 3-4 pairs of lateral veins. Inhabitant of high mountains, specified frost resistance up to -32 Β° C. Grows in the middle lane.
For flower beds, containers. After flowering, the plant dies.
F. Muriel (F. murieliae, or Arundinaria murieliae).
Named by the author in honor of his daughter. Stems are greenish-yellow, 0,5-1,5 cm in diameter, internodes 15-20 cm. Leaves are lanceolate, 6-10 X 0,8-1,2 cm, with 3-4 pairs of lateral veins, with a bristle-like drawn end … It is the most popular in gardening and, perhaps, the most winter-hardy species: in Europe it tolerates up to -21 C without damage to the leaves, in the middle lane it keeps leaves well under the snow, and although in winters with little snow it loses lignified shoots, it grows back from the roots.
For flower beds, containers. Young shoots are edible.
Grades: there are dozens of varieties, but so far it is impossible to say definitely about any of them. Dwarf, up to 150 cm tall – “Bimbo” and “Joy”, can be considered the most promising. The rest can reach 200-300 cm in height in suitable conditions:
“Vgeitscheid”
“Deep Forest”
“Dino”
“Dragon”
“Flamingo”
“Green Arrows”
“Harewood”
“Heart of Darkness”
“Hutu”
“Jumbo”
“Jutu”
“Simba”
“Silver Bird”
“Standing Stone”
“Super Jumbo”
“Schwan”
F. rusty (F. rufa). Spreading bamboo.
Stems up to 1 cm thick, with a waxy bloom and late flying long orange-red scales. Internodes 15-17 cm. Leaves 6-10 X 0,6-0,8 cm, slightly hairy at the base, with 2-3 pairs of lateral veins. The specified winter hardiness is up to -29 Β° Π‘.
F. yulongshan (F. yulongshanensis). Stems 1-2,5 cm thick, green with a waxy coating, bristly pubescence around the nodes and on purple scales.
Internodes 35-45 cm. Leaves are narrow-lanceolate, glabrous, 5-8 X 0,4-0,9 cm, with 2-4 pairs of lateral veins. Recently in culture, supposed frost resistance up to -29 C.
Grades: the ‘Variegata’ variety has an apple-green leaf with green strokes when blooming, then the background turns white.
Other bamboos with specified frost resistance up to -25 Β° Π‘:
Arundinaria Fargeza (Arundinaria far gesii)
Japanese pseudosasa (Pseudosasa japonica)
lush semiarundaria (Semiarundinaria fastuosa)
Sasaella ramosa
shibatea kuma saza (Shibataea kumasaca)
The latter species turned out to be weakly winter-hardy in the Moscow region.
