Golden bamboos - 3 January

Nice shot, these are fast growing are they not?

Wow, unexpected winter color. Does bamboo green up again in summer or just new shoots? I didn't think about them going so golden.

No, this one stays golden all year round. Some bamboos have interesting stripes. Sasa bamboos have broad leaves but tend to be thugs; some, such as this one are well-behaved!

The culms (uprights) come out of the ground at the thickness they will be. With very young plants the culms are a little whispy. As the plants mature most of the culms get a little thicker. We prune off the side shoots as they emerge so that we can appreciate the culms. We also take out any weak growth.

It is recommended that you but a barrier around the roots of bamboos to stop them travelling. Since the strength of bamboos is similar to steel, nothing is really going to stop it travelling! A sharp spade around its perimeter every now and then will sever roaming shoots. These can then be tracked along and pulled out.

This bamboo has been in situ for about 3 years. It has increased in size and we're about to divide it so that it keeps in scale and proportion with other plants around.

It gorgeous. Another great choice!