Hardy Bamboo For Temperate Climates Six Of The Very Best

Writen by Peter Corbett

If you have ever considered growing bamboo in the temperate regions then you should select your plants with care and paying good attention to both the cold tolerance and eventual size of the plants you choose. Prehaps the best behaved group and the most cold tolerant are the Phyllostachys bamboos.

There is an amazing selection available including some stunning coloured canes and and culm sheaths and foilage that range from bronze greed to light Jade in colour. I am pleased to reccomend what I consider the following bamboos as six of the very best to grace your garden.

Phyllostachys is a genus of bamboo from NorthLowlands of China. Some are extremely tough cookies and very exposure tolerant. This genus offers some of the best ornamental bamboos that are truly hardy in the United Kingdom. In their native warmer regions of China their root system which is intermediate can wander, however in the cooler more temperate zones of the UK, apart from one or two exceptions they are remarkably well behaved and reliably clump forming with slow lateral spread.

Most are quite easy to grow with only an annual hair cut and brush out to worry about. A good organic mulching and an annual feed is always appreciated. Remember to let fallen leaves compost down around the plant to replace valuable silica. Most Phyllostachys prefer full sun but some will tolerate light or dappled shade, apart from that they are not particular about the soil they are in but preferring heavier richer soils that can be kept evenly moist but not waterlogged. Once the plants are established they are fairly drought tolerant however they need to be kept watered until they have a proper foothold.

On the whole mostly pest free. Maybe an occasional attack of Aphids Mealy bugs Vine weevil or the dreaded mite. If you don't mind chemicals spray with a propriety insecticide or alternatively use one of the organic sprays now available. If mites are the problem cut down the canes and burn them along with any fallen leaves and spray the surrounding area with miticide.

Phyllostachys bambusoides lacrimadeae. The Goddess Tears' The Goddess Tears Bamboo. New from China comes an unusual ornamental form of this wonderful species which can be stunning. It has a similar vigour and stature. Black-purple markings on mature canes make this different from all others. It has been greatly underestimated since its introduction and there are very few of these around as yet, but that wont be the case for long. An admirable plant for a specimen.

Phyllostachys Rivalis Phyllostachys Rivalis. Vary Rare. Similar in form to Bissetii however extreamly rare. I do not know of any other sources in the UK other than The Pot and Grass Company. According to Ohrnberge the authority: 4 meters in height 1.5 2.0 cm in diameter. Originally from Guangdong, Nanxiong, and Fujan province. It grows mainly along the banks of mountain streams. This species was introduced into Britain possibly as a single plant from China which soon seeded and died. A single seedling derived from this plant and is grown in Germany. The Pot and Grass Company Rivalis has been independently reintroduced from China in 2006.

Phyllostachys vivax. Huangwenzhu Inversa This is a fairly recent introduction and reported to be wonderfully reliable. Green canes with a thick yellow stripe or stripes. Occasionally if you are lucky you will get a reversion on some of the culms. When this happens these culms revert back to the golden Aureocaulis and they will produce both coloured canes side by side. Two for the price of one, that cant be bad. Tidy with upright habit and sparse in leaf showing the canes of to good effect. It can tolerate some shade.

Phyllostachys nigra. Hei zhu. The Black Bamboo the famous black bamboo is unique. It is the only bamboo to produce truly black culms which contrast beautifully with the short bottle green leaves. This a slowish grower and although the height in its native China can reach as much as 14 meters, it rarely makes the 5 meter mark in temperate climate like the UK. However this really is a stunner of a bamboo and justly deserves all the praise it gets. The culms emerge pink/cinnamon then turning green and then ripen off over the next twelve months to a gorgeous shiny Japanned black. Looks wonderful in an oriental style garden or breathtaking as a specimen on its own.

Chimonobambusa tumidissinoda. The Walking Stick Bamboo. A very leafy bamboo which is a relatively small in stature and that enjoys light shade. This wonderful and still rare bamboo was only brought out of China for the first time in 1987. Used for centuries to make walking sticks by the Yi people in Szechwan this bamboo remained a closely kept secret. This particular Chimonobambusa is gorgeous, large saucer shaped nodes and dainty leaves call for a solitary position to show off this beauty. Keep in a sheltered spot for best performance. It can spread so in a small garden best confined to pots and planters.

Himalayacalamus hookerianus Moonraker; The famous Blue Bamboo. One of the most beautiful bamboos. It hails from the lower slopes of the Himalayas and Bhutan. The culms on emergence are blue with a hint of claret or purple, ageing to a pale barley gold. Best in a cool shaded position away from winds.

Enjoy your bamboo and your garden.

Peter Corbett. Is a collector of rare grasses and ornamental bamboos and written several articles on the subject. Peter advices and assists his wife Heather who runs the Pot and Grass Company Nursery and mail order company specialising in bamboos and grasses. Peter has a keen interest in Chinese metaphysics and has lived and travelled extensively through SE Asia and mainland China. Peter has written a book on Feng Shui "Qi Concepts for energy engineering" which is available for purchase from the Pot and Grass company online store or available as a free down load to customers.

Let Life And Energy Flow From The Garden

Writen by Bonnie Moss

Gardening offers a visual experience that can open the portals to the emotions, to the psyche and to the senses. It's also inspirational.

A garden is more than an array of colors and scents. Given a chance, a garden offers relaxation, a place to contemplate and a place to heal.

It is a bridge between our inner world and the outside world. The sight of a garden on the way out, provides a smooth transition as you greet the outside world.

Coming home after a day's work, a garden gives a calming effect, reminding you to leave the cares and woes of the day outside as you enter your inner sanctum.

Not everyone can enjoy the luxury of a rambling country garden. A container garden off the balcony, on the window sill, a small porch or backyard can be just as enjoyable.

What do you imagine your garden should look?

Color The choice of colors announces the mood of your environment. It reflects the inner person, whether you are vibrant and inspired, traditional and laid back, focused or scatter- brained, quiet, spiritual, calm, passionate or even boring.

Colors can be complementary and in harmony, contrasting or conflicting. Choosing the colors in your garden can at times be a hit-or-miss choice. Don't be discouraged. Plants are forgiving. You can re-arrange the colors to create harmony, provide enough contrast, and when there is conflict, remedy by adding or removing a color.

Solid colors give out a dramatic show in a bigger garden. Most hobby/ornamental gardeners opt for a variety of colors.

A dominance of red does not invite one to sit and relax. This color is too strong. A complementary color can soften the fire of a mass of red. White or silver blends well with this vibrant color.

An all white garden is boring, the energy is stale. Some may feel it is calming, clean and fresh. At night, under a luminous light, white can be attractive. It stands out over all colors under soft lights. It lends itself to a meditative mood.

To brighten it up, add different shades of green or other bright colors. White and silver plants can provide a beautiful contrast mixed with any color.

Yellow is a cheerful color, mostly associated with Spring and late Summer. A pale yellow color does not blend well with white. This combination stifles the energy with its dullness.

Various shapes and foliage of green gives a garden a feeling of tranquility. Adding pots of colored plants can enhance the beauty of the atmosphere. This is a nourishing color.

For that warm and welcoming feeling, orange is the color. It is a rich and happy color. Added to a background of green, orange gives a warm glow .

Purple is an inviting color. It teases you to rest and relax. To project a feeling of calmness, mix purple with whites, pinks or blues.

Need a moment of tranquility, of peace and quiet? Blue offers a sedative effect when mixed with whites and silver or soft pink flowers. Planted around edges and borders, mixed with different colors, it can be most appealing. However, blue by itself gives a gloomy feeling.

To invite love and other romantic notions, go for pink Its warmth draws people to it.

Time

Consider carefully how much time you are willing to devote to your garden and time you have to enjoy it. Gardens need more than good soil and water. Weeds in the garden do not encourage growth. This also translates to stagnant energy in the garden.

A garden overgrown with weeds and with plants that go wild stifle the potential for an appealing garden. Add to this dead flowers, dead leaves and other debris that accumulate throughout the season.

Energy is blocked by clutter. This defeats the purpose of a garden. You want positive energy to flow into your life, into your home. Taking the time to look after your garden will definitely enhance the flow of positive energy all around.

Take time to enjoy the scenery. Plants offer a form of stress release. Go ahead and talk to your plants. Place your hands, palms down, over a pot of flowers, let go of your frustration, take a few deep breathes as you pass your hands over the flowers. Don't forget to thank the plant!

Weeding and dead-heading plants provide a form of exercise, it is grounding too.

Summer is too short- the garden offers a respite from the hurry and scurry of life. It connects us to the beauty of this earth and beyond.

Bonnie Moss writes to inspire and to motivate her readers to explore the depths of their heart and soul. She draws from personal experience and her interest in the New Age Visit her website =>http://goldencupcafe.tripod.com

Anatomy Of A Grass Plant

Writen by Paul Burke

The grass plant has taken millions of years to get to the stage it is at now. In early times grazing herbivores used it as a primary food source. Grass plants that grew close to the ground and developed crowns went on to survive and flourish. Today's turf grass has evolved from these early survivors. Almost all homeowners receive enjoyment from their lawns. Very few of us really takes the time to examine the grass plant up close, by doing so we would be astounded by its complexity and characteristics.

The primary growth in a grass plant grows from a ground hugging point known as the crown. By mowing at a height above the crown you ensure the plants survival. Many times during a spring clean up, the crew will damage the crown causing devastating results if the damage occurs during active growth. Shoot and roots originate from the crown. The root system is utilized by the plant to hold it in place, as well as being the primary means of acquiring nutrients and water from the soil. By developing leaves and stems above ground the plant takes in sunlight and carbon dioxide in a process known as photosynthesis. First to appear from the crown is the primary shoot . It produces a leaf and a stem. Each leaf has a blade and a sheath. The sheath wraps itself around the blade to protect it, while the blade continues to grow upwards. Where the blade and sheath meet is known as the collar. In the interior of the collar is a ring of hairs known as the ligules. Ear shaped lobes known as auricles are found at the end of the ligule. Grass identification uses the different sizes, and shapes of the auricles and ligules to categorize individual cultivars of grass.

Additional shoots originating from the crown are known as tillers. Tillers aid in making your lawn thick and lush. By encouraging a thick, lush lawn you go a long way in stopping weed growth, insect infestation, and damage by turf diseases. Kentucky Bluegrass, which is a common cultivar in our area, spreads by creeping stems underground known as rhizomes. As the rhizome continues to grow it will create additional plants that are capable of sustaining themselves by producing their own roots and shoots. By taking the time to understand the basic structures of your grass and how different grasses reproduce, you will be on your way to creating a lush, thick weed free lawn.

Paul is a Certified Pesticide Applicator in the province of Alberta,Canada. He has 15 years experience in the lawn care industry.

For more lawn care information visit http://fairyring.ca.