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Ornamental Bamboos And Grasses |
P. aurea has slender yellow stems, its narrow green leaves
being grey on the undersides. These leaves which are pro-
duced on the stems which grow up to ten feet or more in
height, seem to move in the slightest breeze, and thereby create
a pleasing effect.
P. flexuosa has graceful stems eight feet or more in height,
and the leaves turn from bright green to brownish-black as
the season advances.
One of the finest of all is the hardy P. henonis, which grows
anything from six to twelve feet. The young, somewhat
arched stems are bright green, and change to yellow with age.
This is a graceful, valuable plant for winter effects, for often in
December the vivid, glossy green luxuriant foliage, is the most
showy thing growing by the pool or stream.
P. broyan is also most ornamental, its green canes changing
with age to yellow, marked with purple, thus producing a
striking effect against the sombre tones of many other water-
side plants.
For the more favourable place, P. mitis, growing fifteen to
twenty feet high, will also produce some lovely effects when
seen in a formal water garden. A couple of plants placed so
they face each other, will often develop so that they form a
pleasing archway effect with their graceful foliage.
P. nigra is sometimes known as the Black Bamboo. It will
grow anything between eight to fourteen feet according to soil
and position. The stems which are green at first, turn almost
black as they become older. The glossy leaves vary from two
to five inches in length, and have attractive glaucous-grey
undersides.
Another very different species is P. ruscifolia, usually not
more than two feet high. This is an ideal plant for growing
near a small pool, and never spreads beyond its allotted space.
In medium-size or small gardens, bamboos would be too
large, but fortunately, there are many ornamental, easy-to-
grow grasses which are ideal for the waterside and wet places.
Space allows for a few of the best to be mentioned.
Carex is to be found growing in many parts of the world,
the grass of some being used for many commercial purposes.
Of the species which can be grown in Britain, the following
are worth consideration.
C. pendula with coarse, grassy foliage up to four feet high.
C. pseudo-cypents grows up to three feet with bright green
leaves and spikelets of a darker shade.
C. stricta 'Bowies' Golden', grows fifteen inches high, its
rich yellow foliage looking well beside shallow,water.
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