Hardy Tropicals UK

So any suggestions for a nice Varigated Bamboo?

Needs to be hardy and evergreen. Well behaved clumper.

How about P. Aurea Variegata?

If anyone has some nice photos that would be nice to see.

http://www.thepalmhouse.co.uk/bargains.html

i got one of these

Hibanobambusa tranquilans "Shiroshima

and two of these

Pleioblatus aureacomlus

Mr List wrote:Hibanobambusa tranquilans "Shiroshima

I've "inherited" one of these from next door. From what I can see it likes to spread. Luckily on my side of the fence I've got a concrete base where the bamboo is trying to grow into so its can't get out of control.

Its nice with lots of thin culms and big leaves.

I have never seen any large plants of Phyllostachys aurea variegata and i think that this may be due to it flowering fairly recently. I do know that alot of bamboo enthusiasts speak of it very highly . My own plant is only about four feet tall and showing great variegation . The only thing that i find difficult about this Bamboo is that it seems to get abit battered in the winter and somtimes looks abit of a mess come early spring but it does seem to bounce back quick enough. Hibanobambusa shiroshima is the best variegated bamboo in my opinion but as mentioned can be a real thug and is currently pushing my neighbours path out of line with its vigorous rhizome system. Sasa shimofuri is another invasive one but has beautiful variagation and one of my favourites.

Hibanobambusa tranquilans "Shiroshima does look very nice indeed.

Just been looking at some pictures on various web sites and found these.

This is a lovely picture of it: Apparently this Bamboo suffers from "sun burn"? Here is a picture I found of the purple tinge to the leaves. Anyone seen this happen?

Are there any other varigated bamboos that I should be looking at? I particularly like big leaves and thick clums!!!!!!!

Never seen leaf burn on my shiroshima Andrew but it does only get half a day of full sun.For variegation you aint gonna beat this boo . Just a shame it likes to go walkies

Pleioblastus chino elegantissima is also a lovely bamboo but does not have big leaves or chunky culms i am afraid.

I grew a Hibanobambusa tranquilans "Shiroshima" when I lived up in Perth and I did not see any of the leaves go that pink colour, mind you, the sun isn't very strong up there.

I planted it out 9 years ago and I wonder how big it is now?

I planted one out last year so it is early days yet but a beautful bamboo. It is supposed to be a natural hybrid of Phylostachys and Sasa so no reason to think it would be well behaved there. However, I have read that it tends to form an expanding clump rather than running off in random directions. does that tally with peoples experience.

simon wrote:I planted one out last year so it is early days yet but a beautful bamboo. It is supposed to be a natural hybrid of Phylostachys and Sasa so no reason to think it would be well behaved there. However, I have read that it tends to form an expanding clump rather than running off in random directions. does that tally with peoples experience.

I only grew it for 18 months so I can't really comment that much, but one thing I noticed is that the actual clump remained quite tight, but the new clumps would grow out at 45 degrees for a foot or two before going upwards so the actual size of the plant would end up quite large.

However, if you have the room then it is a lovely bamboo and with its parentage will certainly be full of vigour

I'm watching for replies Simon as it's one I've been debating for a while

i put mine in the 30 litre pot my Trachycarpus came in.
how long will it be good for in a pot that size?

grub wrote:I'm watching for replies Simon as it's one I've been debating for a while

Maybe I should go and visit the people who bought our old house from us?

Nah, the woman was a first class nutter. It would be interesting to see how the garden has performed, particularly after the -20C and sustained sub-zero temperatures they received up around that area back in December :shiver:

I have seen and heard of plants that are well behaved and almost clumping were as mine seems to pop up all over the place. I dont know if this is down to the growing conditions or if there are different forms in cultivation.Keeping it watered and fed well may help?

jonny wrote:I have seen and heard of plants that are well behaved and almost clumping were as mine seems to pop up all over the place. I dont know if this is down to the growing conditions or if there are different forms in cultivation.Keeping it watered and fed well may help?

Nothing runs up here and growth rates aren't that wonderful due to the short growing season.

We get lots of rain and the soil is poorish and needs extra nutrients, which it receives.

Maybe it is the rainfall that is the factor?