" Bamboo - Fear Not!"
I asked Roger Lewis if he would educate us about bamboo. It has caught my attention of late and find it practical as well as beautiful. Their website Lewis Bamboo Groves http://www.lewisbamboo.com contains a lot more information as well as beautiful photographs. A nice clumping bamboo like 'Silverstripe Fernleaf' can add an exotic look to any landscape. Thank-you Roger, for taking the time to educate us and share your knowlegde!
Bamboo, a member of the grass family, has over 1200 documented species
worldwide. Bamboo has alot of myths attached to its long history and is
often overlooked as an attractive addition to the home garden.
Bamboo grows in various heights, from 6 inches to 90 feet here in North America. It's culms (canes) come in a variety of colors such as gold, yellow, black, green with yellow stripes and yellow with green stripes. There are even bamboo species with variegated leaves.
As a bamboo groves develops, the culms (canes) become larger in diameter and height increased in each new plant until the grove reaches maturity. The oldest culms are usually the smallest in size. The culm (cane) emerges from the soil with the diameter that it will always have and reaches its full height within two months or less. Even though the culm (cane) will never increase in diameter or height, it may live up to ten years. The new culms (canes), produced during the spring of each successive year, will emerge larger than the previous year's growth, as a general rule. This is due to the increase in the underground system of rhizome or roots. This increase of rhizome growth allows the bamboo to store nutriments and therefore produce larger plants until a mature culm size if obtained through out the grove.
Bamboos are evergreen and put on new leaves each year. This new leaf growth happens during the spring time. This process is gradual and is highlighted by the appearance of a new carpet of golden brownish leaves within the grove. New plant growth or shoots will initiate around March and extend through May for Phyllostachys (running, tall/timber) bamboo. This period will vary a little with different species and local ecological conditions.
Bamboo is the most widely used woody plant in the world, though it has never been used extensively here in North America. As our population increases, so does the importance of great yielders, such as bamboo. Under optimum conditions, bamboo can provide two to six times as much wood per acre as pine trees.
Bamboo is a remarkable plant with many uses, even Thomas Edison thought so. His first light bulb filament (1882) was made of carbonized bamboo fiber and is still functional till this day in the Smithsonian Institution in Washington. Bamboo's uses are too numerous to list them all, but here are a few:
Home construction, furniture, all types of containers, tools, paper and
crafts. Over 90 tons of its shoots are imported annually for food to the United States.
Near my house was a large bamboo where I played as a child. The canes grew to only twenty feet, but seemed gigantic to me at the time. Little did I know that my wife Gayle and I would one day own a Bamboo Nursery with over 80 species. Some of our bamboo is growing to seven inches in diameter and tower to seventy to eighty feet above our heads.
I hope you will take time to read about this fascinating plant and visit our web site for pictures and more information.
Thanks,
Roger Lewis
Lewis Bamboo Groves
This photo below gives an example of how bamboo can be used as a fence.
Plant your flowers, hedge in front and have the bamboo give you the height of extra privacy.
Copyright (c) Brian Rondel,GrowIt Gold, Innovative Thinking Software, All Rights Reserved
Resources collected from other Merchants
Please click on the links for more details and ordering.
 | Heavenly Bamboo (nandina domestica 'firepower') - $ 150.00
Also known as Sacred Bamboo and is related to the Barberry. This tough as nails evergreen has fine lacey foliage which turns bronze and red in winter. It has unbranched reed-like stems. In spring new foliage appears as bright bronze red and is soon followed by large creamy white flowers. In summer, clusters of bright green berries appear and by late summer, the berries ripen to a bright red. Does well indoors. Provide sun to get intense coloring of foliage. 5-8 years old - 7 tree group. 29"x27"x21". Potted in a 21" brown oval mica container as shown. Shipped via UPS ground - $59.95
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 | Table Top Fountain China Doll - $ 59.95
In this delightful setting, an oriental doll figure stands sheltered by a miniature hut and overlooks his tranquil garden which is illuminated from within its translucent base. A steady stream of water flows and circulates from a bamboo spout into a waiting vessel. The crystal clear sound of water trickling down from the spout creates a sense of peace and tranquility. The base is fashioned from resin which will not leak or seep. The fountain includes a submersible, long lasting, totally quiet, UL approved mini recirculating pump as well as a submersible light. Garden accessories for placement around the garden include bamboo canes, a long handle water vessel and a bag of sand to be sprinkled over the top of the base. 9"x7"x8". Shipped via UPS 2-3 days - $11.95
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 | Heavenly Bamboo - Large (nandina domestica - 'firepower') - $ 59.95
Also known as sacred bamboo and is related to the barberry. This tough as nails evergreen has fine lacy foliage which turns bronze and red in winter. It has unbranched reed-like stems. In spring new foliage appears as bright bronze red and is soon followed by large creamy white flowers. In summer clusters of bright green berries appear and by late summer, the berries ripen to a bright red. Does well indoors. Provide sun to get intense coloring of foliage. 7 yeards old. 16"-18" tall. Suitable 8"x10" humidity tray is recommended. To purchase add $4.95. Shipped Via UPS 2-3 days - $19.95.
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 | Heavenly Bamboo - $ 15.95
The Heavenly Bamboo, Nadina domestica, is not a true bamboo but a upright 6-8Æ high, semi-evergreen shrub that tends to slowly sucker at the base, forming colonies. New leaves are coppery to purplish-red, becoming blue green with age. When this plant is in full sun it usually assumes a reddish tint in winter (depending on environmental conditions). Perfect and pinkish in bud, finally white 8-15ö long panicles appear in May-June, and will flower in heavy shade. Spectacular, round clusters of bright red berries ripen in the fall and persist into winter. Heavenly Bamboo is more showy that most hollies because fruit is not hidden by foliage. Careful pruning, as canes do not branch out and best to thin out old stems every year or head back old canes at varying lengths to produce a dense plant. Once established, they are very tough plants, thriving in sun, shade, moist or dry conditions.
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 | Grass - Golden Variegated Hakone - $ 14.95
The Grass 'Golden Variegeted Hakone Grass', Hakonechloa macra 'Aureola', is a mounded non-invasive rhizome grass. It has brilliant yellow, bamboo-like foliage streaked with green lines. In the fall, the leaves turn an intense ruby pink. Attractive as a specimen, in mass plantings, or in combination with other shade loving plants. Prefers moist, well-drained, fertile soil with light shade or half-day sun. Slowly spreading, this grass will add elegance & beauty to any shade border. The yellow variegation turns red/brown if grown in too much sun. Pest and disease free.
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 | Grass - Horsetail Rush - $ 13.95
The Grass 'Horsetail Rush', Equisetum hyemele, is an upright mounded, clumping rhizome. An ancient plant with bushy, slender stems and a weeping habit. When young, the slender stems grow horizontally but the plant sends up thicker, vertical stems as it ages. In winter, the evergreen, gray green foliage turns a rich bronze. The Horsetail Rush, also known as the Scouring Rush, is one of the oldest plants to be used by man. It reaches heights to 4 feet, and is a durable plant. It has jointed, hollow stems that are furrowed and green with black bands that give it a bamboo-like appearance.
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 | Grass - Northern Sea Oats - $ 13.95
The Grass 'Northern Sea Oats', Chasmanthium latifolium, is upright and arching. It is treasured for its showy, dropping flowers and slender, bamboo-like foliage that changes from green, to copper, to rich brown. It self-sows freely; deadhead if you do not want volunteer seedlings next season. Magnificent for winter contrast, it flourishes in contianers or even in a shady, damp site -- including coastal areas. Pest and disease free.
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 | Red Heavenly Bamboo Seeds - $ 2.75
Propagation instructions are included with each packet. Shipped via UPS ground - $7.95 unless shipped with tree order.
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 | Bamboo Tree Stakes - $ 0.49
About the Bamboo Tree Stakes: The tree stakes are between 30-48 inches tall. You will received stake(s) sized accordingly to the trees you order. Stakes are only sold with tree purchases.
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48" x 64" Bamboo Roman Shade
Our Bamboo Roman Shade provides natural texture, rich tones and softly filtered sunlight.
 
#4 Bamboo Poles, set of 24
Smart gardeners know bamboo is strong, lightweight, inexpensive, weathers well and lasts several seasons in the garden. With a few simple tools it can be fashioned into fences, frames, arbors, trellises – any structure you can imagine.#2 Bamboo Use these three-foot canes as plant stakes and markers, or as supports for row covers and potted plants.#4 Bamboo An all-purpose size, good for bean teepees and A-frames, trellises, pea fences, and as rails in decorative fencing.#6 Bamboo Similar to
 | Bamboo Screen - 11"x3"x10" - $ 29.95
Handmade bamboo screen with handpainted colorful floral designs. 11"x3"x10". Shipped via UPS ground - $7.95. Free shipping with tree order.
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 | Exalted Fountains - Large Indoor Fountains - $ 780.00
Features: Gloss black ceramic base, Natural bamboo, Bear grass, Accent stones, Soothing sound of flowing water, Dimensions: 13 in x 4.5 in, Everything is included to enjoy the fountain, Free shipping.
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 | Exalted Fountains - Large Indoor Wall Fountains - $ 780.00
Features: Gloss black ceramic base, Natural bamboo, Accent stones, Water plant, Soothing sound of bubbling water, Dimensions: 6 in x 5 in, Everything is included to enjoy the fountain, Free shipping.
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 | Exalted Fountains - Desktop Fountains - $ 200.00
Features: Gloss black ceramic base, Natural slate and bamboo, Water plant, Assorted accent stones, Sound of flowing water, Dimensions: 19 in x 5 in, Optional stands and fogger, Free shipping.
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 | Tabletop Watermill Fountain - $ 49.95
As a small bamboo spout delivers a steady stream of water to the revolving waterwheel below, the energy flowing from this charming watermill fountain delights our senses and gives rise to a feeling of tranquility. A light (included) which is submersed in the water-filled resin base shines through the water and illuminates the house and the translucent base. Decorative foliage and several rocks complete the scene. The attractive base will not leak or seep. The unit measures 7"x6"x7.5", and incorporates a submersible, long-lasting, totally quiet, UL approved mini re-circulating pump and submersible light. Shipped via UPS Ground - $11.95.
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Bamboo for Gardens
 
The Craft & Art of Bamboo: 30 Elegant Projects to Make for Home and Garden
 
Color Encyclopedia of Ornamental Grasses: Sedges, Rushes, Restios, CatTails and Selected Bamboos
 
Gardener's Guide to Growing Temperate Bamboos
 
Building Bamboo Fences
 
American Horticultural Society Practical Guides: Grasses and Bamboos
 
Building with Bamboo
 Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos
 
Bamboo World
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