Bamboos
& Restios
Nothing beats the texture of bamboo for an exotic look, many can be grown in our climate though running bamboos have given others a bad name, we grow only clumping varieties. Restios are not grasses at all but a group of ancient plants from the southern hemisphere with the same fine texture and allure as bamboos and grasses.
Boorinda angustissima
Bamboo
Boorinda angustissima Zn7b (5º to 10ºF) Poaceae
One of the most delicate and graceful CLUMPING bamboos, this species has narrow foliage that emerges in early summer from 1" culms (canes) that are covered in purple-red cane sheaths. One of the tightest clumping varieties. Grows to 18 ft. tall by 8 ft. wide. Best with protection from afternoon sun. Give regular water for the best appearance. Excellent hedge or screening plant that will not spread beyond the clump.
Boorinda boliana Zn8a (10º to 15ºF) Poaceae
A CLUMPING Bamboo of great grace and beauty. Fine fextured grass green leaves point down in graceful sprays. Tall and willowy to 20' tall but forming a clump only 5' wide (in about 8 years). New culms emerge PALE BLUE before aging to a chalky burgundy. Canes never exceed 1/2" wide. For part shade in rich soil with regular water in summer. Avoid boggy situation or exposure to strong winds. Ultimate courtyard or container Bamboo.
Fargesia dracocephala ‘Rufa’ Zn6b (-5º to 0ºF) Poaceae
This lovely textured clumping variety is one of the very best in cold regions. Moderate growing it prefers light shade or protection from hot afternoon sun. To 12’ tall and forming a slowly spreading clump. Canes rarely reach more than 1/2” in diameter. A great container subject as it will take tempertures colder than most clumpers and does not require the protection others require in containers. Rich soil with regular summer irrigation is best. An ideal bamboo for a screen or specimen.
Thamnocalamus crassinodus Zn8a (10º to 15ºF) Poaceae
Immensely graceful clumping bamboo that is a native of Nepal and Tibet. Tight clumping habit with new canes that emerge gray/blue and take on tints of red. DEEP SHADE to shade in well drained soil with regular water in summer. Good container plant for shade. Evergreen leaves are fine textured and graceful. To 18' with time, canes only achieve a width of 0.8". Fertilize in early spring, Protect containers from temps. below 20ºF.
Restios
Chondropetalum elephantinum Zn8a (10º to 15ºF) Restionaceae
A striking perennial that immediately recalls a rush, though it has very different requirements. Thin vertical stems are slightly swollen at the base and have a slight zig-zag as they rise. Sage green year round this is one of the cold hardiest Restios. Eventually reaching 30” tall it forms a tidy and tight clump eventually to 1’ wide. Full sun and well drained soil with average water needs. Excellent container subject. Evergreen.
Ischryolepis sieberi v. venustulus Zn8b (15º to 20ºF) Restionaceae
A very foreign looking plant that deveolops 6’ feather duster plumes of foliage in a tight clump. Emerald green, the leaves of this ancient plant really do appear other-worldly. Requires protection from subfreezing winds as well as in containers where it makes quite a show. In the ground it may
be mulched in autumn with bark and leaves. The foliage will likely freeze to the ground below
20ºF but new canes will return in the spring. WELL DRAINED SOIL with occasional summer water.
Though restios appear as if they would like a boggy spot they in fact prefer well drained almost
dry conditions.
Rhodocoma capensis Zn8a (or lower) (10º to 15ºF) Restionaceae
RESTIO! Light textured perennials from South Africa this species forms a 6' fountain of stems like giant green feather dusters. Resembles bamboo, grass- though related to neither. Full sun in well drained acid soil- amend with bark, no fertilizer or compost. Regular H20. Dies to the ground below 15ºF. Returns from the base in spring. Clumping to 3' wide, upright with age.Protect containerized plants from temps below 20ºF. Spectacular texture.
Thamnocortus insignis Zn8a (or lower) (10º to 15ºF) Restionaceae
This evergreen perennial looks more like a rush than the two previous restios. Clean and mean it develops rush-like stems to 3’ tall. In mid-summer they are topped by flashy tawny-brown seedheads that persist up to 6 months. Slowly forms clumps to 2’ across. Ideal and architectural container subject. In the ground it may freeze to the ground at temperatures below 15ºF, new canes will rise in spring. Plant among shrubs that will protect the base from subfreezing winds. Waves and dips in the slightest breeze. Mulch in fall. Well drained soil with average moisture. (Again, this plant appears
that it would like boggy conditions but it does not.)
Bamboos & Restios
Plants for problem areas