Golden Goddess Bamboo

Pic courtesy of Wiki

Getting back to the garden again, I'm working on my spring plans for this year.  This year a total transformation will take place around the property.  After removing everything from the planters last year at this time, this spring promises to be an exciting one at El Presidio landscapewise.  I adore all things bamboo and if placed in the right areas, bamboo will grow proud and strong in our sunlight. I enjoy using variety on the same theme in the garden.  What does that mean?  Well about 2 years ago, I began my work with the clumping  Buddha's Belly Bamboo on our southern exposure.  Today this bamboo is twice as tall as I am.  It loves abuse once established.  I throw fertilizer on it and it grows.  I water about once a week during the summer months and am rewarded with an absolutely lush look along my walkway.....and they keep growing:)  The tricky thing with this part of the project is training the culms to keep off the walkway.   For that I use a stake meant for trees to help keep the bamboo upright for the moment until they get larger.  Nothing is more treasured in Tucson than a green garden.

Pics from here on down courtesy of Sherry's Bamboo Blog

Well I have more work to do on the other side of El Presidio.  You'll find Golden Goddess Bamboo which is slightly different yet similiar looking to other bamboo.  I want to have a plant selection here on the property which will create uniformity yet add a unique appearance in the separate gardens.  While it will function as part of the landscape, it will also act as a museum of plants.  My hope is that I will be able to demonstrate to Tucsonans that xeriscape can be lush.  The bamboo is all strategically placed along perimeter of the building.  When it rains, the runoff from the roof falls down upon the bamboo and gives it a little extra moisture. 

So it's winter here and people are wondering if they should plant bamboo right now.  Don't do it.  Wait until mid March to do your planting....and even then you may have difficulty finding bamboo around town.  BUT don't lose hope, the Bamboo Ranch has all your bamboo needs and then some.  I took a trip over a year ago and will be back again this year to complete my bamboo project. Normally retail stores will begin to put their bamboo out during the summer months because that's when bamboo looks its best.  Bamboo will decline a bit in winter with frozen tips on leaves etc, but once that sun and heat come back, it will shed those leaves and shoot higher into the sky.  Again remember to check and see if your bamboo is running or clumping.  Clumping is your best best while running bamboo does an amazing job in a contained area.  We have lots of bamboo to choose from here in the desert.  People are sometimes shocked to discover that we can grow it here in the Southwest.

Golden Goddess Bamboo is a clumping variety that does well in planters or pots.  It won't grow to massive heights like others, but it can get anywhere between between 6 to 12 feet. If you look around town, you'll see this bamboo all over. Remember to water regularly the first year.  It will establish itself and eventually will require less water.  "This delicate-leafed hedge bamboo is a great choice for a smaller lot, or for those seeking a container plant for patios or poolside planting. Plant 4 to 8 feet apart and this semi-dwarf bamboo will quickly fill in to become a beautiful but not too tall privacy hedge." Listed as Very Hardy. Source Beautiful Bamboo