Bamboos in our back yard

In our back yard, the area that was transformed most by bamboo is the woodland garden outside our dining room. There I planted a Borinda fungosa and a Borinda angustissima, both montane bamboos with arching culms and finely chiseled leaves that give an instant Asian feel. They are the perfect complement for the Asian perennials already planted there, including hostas and farfugiums. A granite lantern rounds out the Japanese theme.

Borinda fungosa in our woodland garden area, July 2010

Same area, October 2010

Same area, October 2010

At the other end of this planting strip we now have a Fargesia robusta, still small, next to another granite lantern.

Fargesia robusta with Craftsman-style granite lantern

Here's a running bamboo, Phyllostachys aurea 'Koi', in a red glazed pot.

Phyllostachys aurea 'Koi'

Another running bamboo, Phyllostachys bambusoides 'Castillon', is planted in a matching red pot along the same fence.

Phyllostachys bambusoides 'Castillon’

More potted bamboos can be found under our four bay trees. This includes one of my favorite bamboos, Fargesia dracocephela 'Rufa', in a red glazed pot.

Fargesia dracocephela 'Rufa'

In the terraced area of the back yard, I planted a small Himalayacalamus hookerianus 'Teague's Blue', considered by many to be one of the most beautiful bamboos of all. Ours is still very small but I'm hoping that within 2-3 years it will have 1" culms with the distinctive blue coating.

Himalayacalamus hookerianus 'Teague's Blue'

On the north side, I planted a Bambusa multiplex 'Alphonse Karr' which has grown from three culms in September of 2009 to 19 culms in September of 2010. Amazing!

Alphonse Karr, September 2009

Alphonse Karr, September 2010

Our back yard patio is home to quite a few potted bamboos, most of them runners. They're still small and will need time to show their potential. I will add photos as time goes by.