Forest plants of old, bamboos evoke images of another continent, but with the impact they can have on our landscape, it may feel more like another planet. Here are some selections from the temperate regions of the East that are adaptable and versatile in the West. Though not giants of the jungle, they will grow happily in most gardens. Out of a hundred genera and 15 times more species of bamboo, at least one-fifth are “hardy,” coming from cooler climes where they can endure seasonal extremes of heat and cold. La Bambouseraie in Anduze, France, a bamboo garden and nursery where many of these photographs were taken, has a climate that allows some of the giant timber bamboos (used for construction) to reach the majestic proportions they do in the wild. Should you not be blessed with a Mediterranean climate, however, have no fear—you can still grow bamboo successfully, only missing out on the substantial height and the forestlike habit. Cooler gardens will produce shorter, more refined but well-structured specimens.

Appeal: For tropical or Asian ambience. Quick growing, long-lived, easy to maintain. In tight growing clumps or grove-forming colonies, culms (canes) in many colors, with grooves, stripes, knobbles and swellings galore. Ideal for cutting and decoration. Leaves range in appearance from tiny and needle-like to variegated to massive plates of glossy green.

Zones: Most temperate bamboos tolerate harsher conditions than their given hardiness zones once established; young plants are more vulnerable. Excessive heat, aridity and exposure have to be considered also. Generally Zones 6-9 are best for most species, but microclimates can allow experimentation.

Exposure: Some large-cane bamboos like phyllostachys can take hot gales or winter blizzards, as in their native China. Sasa from the maritime climate of Japan and thamnocalamus from the foothills of the Himalayas relish cooler coastal and more montane areas; with a little shade and extra moisture they can be tried almost anywhere.

Soil: Hardy bamboos are adaptable. Avoid dry and desertlike soils or swamps. However, dry sandy soils can be amended with organic matter, and waterlogged soils can be drained. Clay can be broken with sharp sand to allow the bamboo to penetrate. Bamboos can prevent erosion on slopes, and they grow in a wide range of pH—except the extremes of acid or alkaline.

Care: Young plants establish more quickly than huge specimens. Water new plants during the first two summers. In dry climates or during drought, water even established bamboo twice a week (it’s hard to over water bamboo during a hot summer). Keep roots cool and moist with a mulch of rotted organic matter, which provides nutrients. In time, fallen leaves and sheathes provide all the mulch and food required. Remove old and weak culms; prune low branches to show colorful culms. To control running bamboos, chop off runners periodically; barriers are not always effective and can be unsightly (learn more about barriers for bamboo).

Designing with bamboo

• Large, bold evergreens and vivid variegations will complement your bamboos.
• Plants with a similar structure, such as Miscanthus sinensis, Arundo donax and phormium accentuate the vertical habit of bamboos.
• Use simple hardscape materials that suit your environment to provide a naturalistic, ethereal setting. Flickering leaf shadows on a swathe of pebbles is often more rewarding than a congestion of plant material. Use bamboo to contrast with or soften fencing or a pergola.
• Bamboo is suitable for gardens large or small, balconies, roof gardens, raised beds, containers, mazes, hedges, screens and to create secret areas.

PAUL WHITTAKER IS THE AUTHOR OF HARDY BAMBOOS: TAMING THE DRAGON (TIMBER PRESS, 2005, 300 PAGES, $39.95)

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Designing with Bamboo