This pot of variegated bamboo (Pleioblastus fortunei) has been sitting in the same spot since mid-July. It’s gotten water, so it’s not that I’ve been ignoring it. I just didn’t “see” it until last week, when I really focused on it and realized just how beautiful it is…
I’m picky about my variegation, a lot of it is too busy for me. I wasn't completely on board with this plant at first (it was a gift, sent to me by Alan at It's Not Work, It's Gardening who also posted about this bamboo today, read that post here) but right now it's just, well, perfect...
The stats on Pleioblastus fortunei:
- top hardy to 10° F, USDA zone 7 - 10 - Alan adds: "rhizome-hardy to much colder than 10F -- the top growth dies for me in zone 6 each winter, but comes back strong each spring"
- 2 - 4 ft tall, and it's a runner so there are no claims about its width
- likes well drained but moist soil, although Alan says clay soil is okay
- does well in light/bright shade to shade - mine gets morning sun and a hint of afternoon sun and Alan's gets full, blazing sun during the middle of the day (three hours or more)
- I cut back the old growth early in the spring, before the new shoots get going
- according to Bamboo Garden it's "one of our most desired groundcover bamboos"
I think next spring I'm going to have to divide it, perhaps to share at our local garden bloggers plant swap.
So you know I'm wondering...are there any plants in your garden that have made you stop and take notice this week?
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