I am a dedicated bamboo-avoider,
Dear Jane and all. I am a dedicated bamboo lover - not easy in my
climate, but I have two small groves of mostly Phyllostachys species
and cvs. and isolated plantings of clumpers (Mostly Fargesia sp.)
that all do fairly badly here.
We groom our groves to have a natural bamboo carpet of fallen
leaves, but I have seen many things growing under open bamboos- NOT
clumping species. My best recall are Iris tectorum and Iris confusa
if you have the right climate, but I suppose I japonica would do as
well. Roscoea, but I do not recall which species- fairly large
growing -18 inches or more tall. Various Asarum - again if you have
the climate. At one time I had a bit of Meconopsis cambrica scattered
in, other species may like the open spaces.
I think Pollia japonica does OK too. Of your thoughts, only
Epimedium might be suited although I have never seen them growing
together in China.
The problem in most gardens is trying to force bamboos into
too small a space. I think a 20 ft x 20 ft patch would be minimal for
a small grove with a path down the middle.
Lots more plants enjoy the edges giving them exposure from a
single side during the day. This can be a plus. Around the edges
almost anything grows from Iris and peonies to hibiscus, Musa,
vegetables, herbs, annuals and narcissus (coming up now).
The gardener must be attentive to edges and boundaries. We
mow and clip each spring and that covers most growth.
Best Jim W.
--
Dr. James W. Waddick
8871 NW Brostrom Rd.
Kansas City Missouri 64152-2711
USA
Ph. 816-746-1949
Zone 5 Record low -23F
Summer 100F +
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