Thursday, October 9, 2014

Pleioblastus fortunei is my favorite plant in the garden (this week)…


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?

All material © 2009-2014 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.

21 comments:

  1. Hey, I posted about Pl. fortunei today too! So beautiful! (Yours is saying: "Bigger pot!")

    A few corrections to the "stats": It's rhizome-hardy to much colder than 10F -- the top growth dies for me in zone 6 each winter, but comes back strong each spring. Does fine in clay soil (I haven't seen a bamboo that doesn't). Can take more sun than you'd expect -- mine gets full, blazing sun during the middle of the day, probably three hours or more.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for the corrections/additions, I added them to the stats above. (thanks too for sharing the plant!)

      Delete
  2. I was about to say Alan also highlighted this bamboo but he got to it first :) not surprised you featured this fab plant as its one of the first ones we put in our garden and a big contributor to why I so got into bamboo before.

    ReplyDelete
  3. What cool variegated bamboo! I bet it would love Houston! My favorite this week is my St. Pedro Cactus which has been blooming this last few weeks, the flowers are so beautiful in contrast to the tall columns that I had to blog about it : )

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I can see why it's your fav Laurin! You didn't include a link though...
      http://ravenscourtgardens.com/2014/10/08/an-old-friend-that-came-from-california-san-pedro-cactus/

      Delete
  4. One more stat: Looks good with everything!

    ReplyDelete
  5. It's a very attractive plant. I'd be reluctant to let it lose in the ground, although perhaps our water restrictions would keep its growth in check (if they didn't kill it outright). My favorite selection this week is a good old standby: http://krispgarden.blogspot.com/2014/10/my-favorite-plant-this-week-pelargonium.html

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ya, I'm not quite as brave as Alan is, mine will be staying in a container.

      Delete
  6. I love that bamboo! I'll happily be the first in line the day you do decide to divide it. If you want, I can trade you some Sasa veitchii nana - also super lovely, and tough as nails! So, I just wrote my first Fave post - check it out! https://flutterandhum.wordpress.com/2014/10/09/my-favorite-plant-in-the-garden-this-week-rosa-chinensis-viridiflora/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'll remember that Anna, when division time comes around. And I'm so glad you decided to post about the plant you hinted at last weekend!

      Delete
  7. It's looking gorgeous. I love the way bamboos look fresh and green all year long! My fave this week is Acanthus sennii. http://outlawgarden.blogspot.com/2014/10/acanthus-sennii-is-my-favorite.html

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Funny I was just admiring my Acanthus sennii yesterday. I look forward to see yours...

      Delete
  8. I think I may have purchased this plant a few weeks ago at a small out of the way nursery. One gallon was $5. I couldn't resist. It was crowded with a few dead leaves and no label but knowing its potential I brought it home, cleaned it up and it looks marvy. Well, not quite as nice as yours but I'm hopeful.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Nice find Grace! Will you put it in the ground?

      Delete
  9. I think I like how busy this variegation is, more than the thicker kinds. It's almost more cream than green, very attractive! And looks great in a pot.
    My favourite this week

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's that "looks great in a pot" thing that works for me. I've got enough plants that need coddling, no in ground running bamboo in my garden.

      Delete
  10. Replies
    1. Funny I thought of you when I was posting. Would look lovely in your brick planter out front...

      Delete
  11. I'd be tempted to put it in the ground (since we have so much ground) but it might be an unkindness for the next caretaker of this place. What do you think?
    I've got a fave as part of gbbd: http://bannersbyricki.com/archives/4973

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for taking the time to comment. Comment moderation is on (because you know: spam), I will approve and post your comment as soon as possible!