iain42, I have gone to this event for the past 6 years and have usually ended up buying one or two bamboo each year. The Texas Bamboo Society usually has a bamboo sale and auction and there are usually three of more 'commercial' bamboo suppliers as well. There are also usually bamboo arts and craft, and related items for sale. Lastly there are several bamboo related presentation. If you are interested in growing or using bamboo it is well worth attending. The following is an except from some tentative information sent out earlier by Carole Meckes who is coordinating this 16th Annual Texas Bamboo Festival and is a past President of the Texas Bamboo Society QUOTE August 23-24 - 16th Annual Texas Bamboo Festival - Zilker Botanical Garden Help is needed to plan this event - this is what is going on so far: Robin McBride Scott Our guest speaker, Robin McBride Scott, is an award winning artist who works in Traditional Woodland materials and native American Bamboo. She is the first place recipient of the American Bamboo Society Arts and Craft Award for 2007 for her work with basketry and canebrake (Arundinaria gigantea) bamboo. Robin is a consultant, presenter, and teacher of performing and visual Native arts. She is one of 6 artists in 2008 to receive a Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian Visiting Artist Fellowship. She is also a recipient of the Wordcraft Circle of Native Writers and Storytellers 'Artist of the Year' for 2005-2006. On Saturday, August 23 - Robin will do a presentation about her work with basketry and native American bamboo. On Sunday, Robin will conduct a workshop on Weaving a Cane Mat, using native American Bamboo that she has personally harvested, prepared and dyed. The workshop will be limited to 10 - 15 participants. Registration Info is posted at http://www.bamboocentral.net/weavingworkshop.html Additional Presentations: (times are not decided yet) 'Landscaping with Running Bamboo' - using running bamboo - in the landscape and elsewhere - and not to be afraid of it - Presentation by Steve Muzos A Video Presentation about the works of Japanese Artist Tanaka Kyokusho - produced by David Stewart- Tanaka Kyokusho, is a bamboo artist and a bamboo basket maker. The video is about his work and shows how he makes the fine slivers of bamboo that he uses in his baskets. If you would like to do a presentation - or there is a topic you would like discussed at the festival - please email me. There is ample time to further develop and round out the program. The festival will include a live plant auction on Saturday afternoon, a dinner by reservation on Saturday evening and two full days of bamboo activities with bamboo plants and crafts for sale and show. Vendors: To date - the following bamboo vendors have sent in their vendor registrations and are listed at http://www.bamboocentral.net/16thfestival.html * Spirit Mama - Spun Bamboo Clothing (for adults and children) * Waterstones - vases created from stone with bamboo accents email * RM-Collectibles.com - Hand-Made Bamboo Crafts from Mt. Fuji, Japan * Bamboo Branch - Bamboo Beads & Jewelry, Poles, & Pieces Mike near Brenham TX Here is a link that might be useful: Bamboo festival

I guess this forum is not very active if you haven't received an answer yet. I grew Hedychium gardnerianum just north of Atlanta in zone 7a. It dies back in the winter but still manages to be invasive. Plant it where it can have lots of room, not near the house, it will try to grow behind the siding. It gets 4 or 5 feet tall but will fall over in a hard rain and not get back up on its own. Flowers smell WONDERFUL. I'm sure anyone who has it will have extras to share.

Hi Brigandine! I am a grad student too so I know the confines of container gardens, moving around and badly situated patios! A few things came to mind based on your restrictions-- first, a dwarf bamboo. Dwarf bamboos live in the shade of bigger bamboos so that might work perfect in your space. That would also get you the Japanese style feel you are looking for. When you said you wanted a tree I was also thinking about a tree fern. Ferns are in many Japanese gardens and a tree fern would give you the height you are looking for. Many can do well in containers, just be cautious of the size and weight before you choose one. These would really thrive in your space. Put it next to a stone lantern and you will get the feel you are going for. I do think some Japanese maples will do alright in the shade, and you can prune them to a small shape, but I have no direct experience with them. Good luck!

Well, I'm not in Jacksonville but I will probably go to Tropiflora Friday or Saturday. I haven't been in awhile and God knows I need more plants! (not) It might be possible to meet there.