CHAPTER XXVII

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."

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_.

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_, Spiræas, 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. pygmæa_, _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_."