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My
garden is divided into sections, each with a rather different character
- a gravelled section, a terraced and a lawned area. There
is a bamboo for each, and for almost every garden. The ideal plant for
one situation may provide a focus or accent, but which should never encroach into
other plantings. A clumping root type bamboo may be the best choice. However, there are
situations where a striking and effective
screen is needed which may suit a running root type. There are even beautiful
bamboos to provide ground cover, and a bamboo close to water always looks
good, as it does in association with gravel. 
Bamboos
provides an exotic feel to the garden yet are not out of place in
association with many of the English garden plants and trees, such as
the familiar silver birch. However, my preference is for bamboo to be
planted with camellias, azaleas, evergreen viburnums, ferns, bergenias and spikey
plants such as the chinese chusan palm and phormium tenax. Incidentally, the tree in the
photograph is a young seed-grown Paulownia. Its giant leaves add to the
exotic effect. Even in winter the bamboos and other evergreen glossy
leaved plants give interest and life to the garden. |
