Bamboo in Italy

I was lucky enough to spend a couple weeks in Italy this summer. We spent a week in a villa in a small town an hour from Florence. Bamboo was on my mind before I left because my plants were shooting but I had no expectations of finding bamboo in Italy.




On the country roads heading to the villa, I noticed a few stands and a couple small groves of bamboo in farmer's yards. None of the bamboo was overly huge but it did get my hopes up. I guess the thing to remember is that despite my addiction to the plant, I have never actually seen any mature Phyllostachys plants anywhere. It's funny how you can get so wrapped up in a group of plants based on descriptions in books (Hardy Bamboos - Paul Whittaker), websites (www.needmorebamboo.com) and blogs (It's Not Work It's Gardening).

Welcome back Todd!

I had good intentions of blogging frequently but I obviously failed miserably. Life is busy, and I guess I spend too much time in front of a computer at work. Anyway... I made it to the cottage this week for a night and I was able to check out a few of my bamboo.



Almost all my bamboo are covered in plastic. I was able to peek through the plastic and check out the leaves underneath. We have very little snow this year, so there has been no insulation value. Our lowest temperature so far was -15.5 degrees Celsius.



I have 1 Phyllostachys aureosulcata 'alata' that I planted two summers ago. It is my 'control' plant. I will never fertilize, water or protect it. It's only advantage is a windbreak. It is surrounded by spruce and white pine. This plant looks great so far. Keep in mind, February is always our coldest month but always has snow cover as well.










It has very little to no leaf burn at all but has not faced much i the way of cold temperatures.