The Culm Before The Storm

(page 4)

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.

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