Newbie with questions

I have ZERO experience with bamboo, didn't even realize there were so many types! My husband is very interested in planting some bamboo, but I would prefer to stick with the clumping kind to avoid it taking over....... Can anyone offer suggestions for clumping bamboos in zone 7 ? or is there such a thing?? any suggestions on where to purchase?

thanks for any input or advice you can provide.

Genna

Here's a bamboo nursery that's a good reference--it lists whether they're runners or clumpers as well as minimum temps and other info (sun/shade, height, etc). Ones that are marked with a minimum temp of 0 degrees (or colder) should be hardy in zone 7a and 5 degrees or colder if you're in 7b. Your selection is a little limited because clumpers tend to be less hardy than runners, so a number of them you'd need to be in zone 8/9 or up, but there are some that'll be hardy in zone 7 http://www.bamboosourcery.com/bamboo.cfm I've had good luck with their plants if you wanted to order from them, but you could probably find someplace closer to you too once you know which kind you want.

I too like the look of bamboo, Gen, but I tried to dig some up near my sister's house and it was impossible! OMG, it was like trying to dig thru rocks. I just couldn't imagine having to deal with that in my own garden.

A few years ago, I discovered a cousin to bamboo called Arundo Donax Variegata. It's absolutely stunning, grows quickly, and grows more like cannas or gingers; it has rhizomes that are easy to dig. It "clumps", just spreading wider and wider, no runners. It gets very tall and forms the bamboo canes, which I cut to use to stake my tomatoes.

My arundo has beautiful white-variegated foliage in spring. About July it becomes all green and looks like bamboo. In that fall, it makes pretty pink plumes. Here's a picture of it this spring.

If you're wanting something beautiful, bamboo-like, but easier to contend with, check out Arundo Donax Variegata.

Where did you find it? Or is it fairly easy to find? I am not familiar with it, but had seen it in some of your pics on MS.

Thanks for the info! I am not really wanting the bamboo - but my husband is and I am afraid he is going to end up with the wrong kind!!

Thanks ecrane for the link and info.... I will check them out and see what I can find.

Genna

This message was edited Jun 23, 2010 7:38 AM

I got the arundo a few years ago in MS. Will you be coming by Jonesboro sometime, Gen? If so, I can give you a chunk. I don't know if I'll make the Roundup in Oct or I'd bring you some then.

I am not sure.... there is a possibility that we may in Jonesboro (or at least my son) later this summer. If I see I am going to be in the area I will let you know. He and I were up there in April, but it was a last minute trip and we didnt know we were going until that morning!!

I doubt I will make the RU at Terrye's in October either. It will be my youngest son's senior year of HS - and he plays football. I won't miss a game to go to a RU - and I don't think I can make it to Terrye's that morning, but I haven't looked at a map to be sure yet. I would love to see her place. I have heard so many wonderful things about it.

Thanks for the info! and the offer..... I will try to keep you posted!

Thanks
Genna

For a cold-tolerant clumper, I like Fargesia rufa or F. robusta.

I guess some other cold-tolerant (5 F) clumping species exist in the genuses Borinda, Thamnocalamus and Chusquea.

Check out the Amerian Bamboo Society's database ... you can filter and sort by clumper/runner, cold hardiness, height, diameter, AND sun/shade. Look for tyhe "species selector".

http://www.bambooweb.info/SSL.php
http://www.bamboo.org/BambooSourceList/

http://www.bambooweb.info/ (links)
http://americanbamboo.org/ (FAQs, general info)

Corey

Thanks for those links! Good information!