A number of other genera of bamboos, particularly
those from high mountain regions are well suited to the cool moist
maritime climate of Britain. Amongst these are the Chusqueas, a
large group of over 100 species, from South America, with solid
stems and varying habit. However, at present, only a few are grown
in Britain, although it is likely that more will become available
in the future. The best known is Chusquea couleou. This is an extremely
desirable bamboo, although being somewhat variable in form. Good
specimens are breathtaking plants, attaining formidable proportions
of up to 2Oft in height and even more in circumference. Culms are
well spaced in mature specimens and up to one inch or more in diameter.
Branches are borne in dense tufts at each node, giving a striking
bottlebrush effect. It is a very hardy bamboo, but dislikes long
hot summers, although this is generally not a problem in Britain.
A superb specimen at the Royal Botanic Gardens in Edinburgh is a
testament to its preference for cool growing conditions. Unfortunately,
it is difficult to obtain, following some years when fresh viable
seed has been available, this source seemingly has dried up, and
vegetative propagation is sadly a slow and difficult process. A
young Chusquea couleou in my garden was planted as a small seedling
from a six inch pot in August 1990 and is now 7-8ft m height and
equal in circumference, having produced over 40 new culms last year
alone.
Other tall bamboos which thrive in our climate are
the clump forming and familiar Sinarundinaria murieliae and S. nitida
(now Fargesia murieliae). These are elegant and very hardy bamboos
reaching 10-12ft in most growing conditions, and forming ultimately
a large and very dense clump. However, a word of warning here in
that F. murieliae has shown sporadic flowering over the last four
years or so, and most expert opinion suggests that in due course
all specimens in the U.K. will flower and eventually die, having
originated from the same clone. Those of us with fine specimens
of this lovely bamboo would be well advised to cultivate a replacement,
in anticipation of the worst. Small seedling plants of this most
recent flowering are becoming available and are most unlikely ever
to flower again in our lifetime.
The Culm Before The Storm 
