| I posted this last week in the *Bamboo Forum* since I posted here, with hopes to learn from similar zone, gardeners ... I thought to post this update here, as well. Alan1 suggested to visit the sites I mentioned below ... 'thought would be helpful for those contemplating on acquiring some ... zone5 compatible Bamboos. to Alan 1, I responded to thank him, for his wise suggestion to visit Michigan Bamboo Co. as well as Needmore Bamboo Co. for more info, about Bamboo-growing in our more trying zones! Quoting Needmore: "The reality of Growing Bamboos in Zones 5 & 6" particularly ... I quote: "I've recently come to terms with my 'zonal denial' and I accept that most springs I may have to clear cut nearly all of the previous year's above ground growth".& "I live on the edge of zones 5b/6 and in an average winter the temperature will fall to at least -10F. At these temperatures nearly every species of my bamboo collection will likely suffer total leaf loss and in all most cases, total top kill of the culms." He also warns wanna-be or "new Bamboo growers" of other realities for at least 5 years! Reading through, I had to face the fact that at 72, I may not have the luxury of enjoyment, since I already have 12-16 high to near-high-maintenance, Garden Divas + a female Ginkgo tree to enslave to!!! €:( ... I have several & love planting, remembrance/memorial plants that are meaningful & symbolic ... my baby brother lived in the Orient all his life ... what more beautiful & symbolic plant than a Bamboo, I thought!!! His name is Henry & July born, so my other choices are a *Clethra-Little Henry* or *Ivory Halo - Cornus Alba* red sticks in Winter (for July)! There were many encouraging Bamboo virtues ... "resiliency" particularly, but for the emotional/sentimental reasons in my search, for a meaningful & symbolic memorial plant, at this stage of my gardening life ... I'll have to forego, Bamboo! Sigh!!! €:( FWIW ...
Enjoy your successes w/ Bamboo plants & to all, Happy Holidays!!! €;) |
