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Summary: Bamboo is not only a plant found in tropical areas, along streams and in the jungle, but bamboo will grow in northern areas like Delaware and the New Jersey winters.

Bamboo. The very word conjures up pictures of a lush tropical jungle steaming under a downpour of rain or of arching, swaying canes tossing their luxuriant burden of foliage along river banks where crocodiles bask and birds of paradise preen their splendid plumage.

Warm-climate gardens in the Orient have long made full use of the more decorative bamboo species. All through the tropics and as far north as central Japan and the Channel coast of England, their spell is firmly rooted. Clumps of feathery bamboo along a stream or lake shore lend inimitable grace to any scene.

Our own southern states and Far West, although possessing unspectacular native canes, have slowly adopted the larger, more lavish Orientals, not only for ornament but for their countless uses in fishing poles, stakes, screens and furniture.

It was once believed that only dwarf bamboos could survive for long in the North, notably the tiny groundcover Pleioblastus pygmaeus and the shrubby broad-leaved Sasa tessellata (Bambusa tessellata). But in 1931 a really tall species, Phyllostachys aureosulcata successfully crossed the Mason-Dixon Line to the northern tip of Delaware, not far from Philadelphia. It formed a dense clump, nearly a quarter acre in size, which stood about 30 feet high. This planting endured a temperature of 19 degrees below zero (1934) with little injury – and that soon healed.

Years later a root from that clump was brought to Mountain Lakes in northern New Jersey, where it has thrived, attaining a stature of nearly 14 feet and enduring a winter night temperature of 6 degrees below zero without injury.

Gardeners accustomed only to northern plants may find the ways of this bamboo quite strange. Each cane springing from the root in May reaches its full height within three or four weeks. Although the stalk will live for several seasons, putting out new leaves each year in addition to the old evergreen ones, it will not increase perceptibly in height or diameter. As the root gains age and strength, however, the clump throws up each spring taller and sturdier shoots, which soon form a dense jungle. The clump spreads rapidly by means of long underground runners.

Watching the young canes grow is endlessly fascinating. Each pointed sprout rises from the ground as fat as it will ever be. In a large clump, it may be nearly 2 inches in diameter. It looks even fatter because of the papery sheaths which at first encase it. This strange shaft lengthens more and more rapidly, until it can almost be seen to grow. While the exact rate of growth is hard to determine, it may at times approach an inch an hour. In the tropics, the rate may be even faster. As it nears full height, the upper part tapers to a slender apex, but no branches appear until the limit of growth is attained.

Older canes can be thinned at any time to provide stakes or poles. Mature canes can be distinguished by the yellowish hue of the stalk. New canes a year or so old have a pleasing dark green color.

Bamboo Hardiness

The hardiness of a bamboo depends partly upon where it is planted and how it is protected. Although the roots spread widely, they do not penetrate more than a few inches into the soil. At this depth they must find copious supplies of water at all seasons. If frost ever solidifies the earth immediately below these rootlets – cutting off all moisture to which they have access – death or severe injury to leaves and canes may result.

There are ways to keep out deep frost, even in regions of severe-cold. A swamp in our northern climate will freeze only on the surface, and under a mulch there will be mud shallower penetration of frost than in open ground. These two principles are combined in my two successful bamboo plantings. Both occupy pond or lake shores in ground not more than a couple of feet above the prevailing water level, and both are kept well mulched.

To plant bamboos in an actual swamp would invite failure, because the roots do require a certain amount of drainage. Sufficient drainage, with the right height of water table. may be secured on a hank just above water level. The location should have plenty of sun, and the richer and muckier the soil, the better your bamboo will grow.

For southern plantings, higher and somewhat drier ground is satisfactory. There, large species such as Dendrocalamus latiflorus or Bambusa macroculmis, which reach heights of 50 to 75 feet, may be grown. Bamboos of the most majestic proportions – 120 feet in height, with canes 12 inches in diameter – are probably not growable in any part of continental United States.

Permanent Mulch

For cold climates, even in the most favorable locations, a permanent mulch is essential. The ground surface should he kept covered with at least a couple of inches of material which provides air spaces and insulation – leaves, straw, grass clippings or other vegetable material. Not only does this mulch keep out frost, but in dry weather it also maintains indispensable moisture. After the clump has developed undisturbed for three or four years, its own filling leaves will keep the central parts mulched, but the edges must also be kept covered and more mulch added, with care, each year. An application of manure on top of the mulch in the spring is beneficial.

Phyllostachys aureosulcata has few enemies, either fungus or insect. Toward the end of a hard winter, the tips of its evergreen leaves may be whitened, however, and the ends of long canes which the wind has beaten violently may be partly stripped of leaves, especially if ice storms have pulled at them repeatedly. But the new leaves in June soon cover up all injury.

Birds find a safe harbor in the thicker parts of a bamboo clump, especially during migration. The stiff canes, which stand only a few inches apart, are too slippery for much climbing and so do not permit ground enemies to surprise the songsters. The dense leafage, too, allows no room for the wide spreading wings of hawks or owls. Thousands of smaller birds can rest or sleep at one time in a comparatively small bamboo grove.

by N Geerling