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Are there bamboos that will take medium shade and damp soil?

18 years ago

I have a very large side yard with a view I would love to block, but can't afford and don't want a solid wood fence. I have some plants growing on that side of the yard already, a few turk's cap bushes, a wild grape along the fence. The area is shady but basically gets bright indirect light and also gets short periods of dappled sunlight throughout the day. The soil is rather low on that side of the yard, and so is damp all the time and during heavy rains or floods, water will stand there for a couple of days (if it has really flooded) The turk's caps, grapes, and St. Augustine grass all grow very well in that part of the yard. Is there any bamboo that will get to about 10-15 ft. and take this kind of light/soil moisture?

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Comments (6)

bamboo_nuts
18 years ago
As to my knowledge, Timber bamboos can do very well in wet, damp soil and under dappled light. A few days of flood won't hurt them at all.
But that was back in Vietnam I do not know the soil condition here can, in any way, affect their growth habit. Maybe some experienced folks in here can jump in and help answer your questions.

Regards,
J.N
bambooo
18 years ago
Raise up a spot of a few sq yds to get the bamboo established on and allow it to spread into the moister areas. Most of the species I know will get taller than what you are looking for.
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Definitely not. Echinacea (coneflowers) do not like to be overwatered and it sounds like that area is not only shaded, but stays damp. It is also probably too shady for coneflowers, daisies, and the others you have. I would try Ajuga (Bugleweed). It tolerates shade and moisture well though it will do best with morning sun. Gaura (Bee Blossom Flower) is another that likes it moist, though I'm not sure if you have enough sun for that one. Lamium (Spotted Nettle) is a nice foliage plant that likes full shade and moderately moist conditions. It makes a nice groundcover and you won't have to mow. It also produces flowers and is not considered invasive, though it grows fairly fast. I hope this helps. Here is a link that might be useful: Shade & Moisture-Loving Perennials
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How about that....I have the two exact trees...I'm always commenting on "unter der linden"....well under my linden I cant for the life of me grow grass. I've cut back the lower branches and I keep the undersides clear of debris....which da*n it it seems everyday I pick up branches. This tree is the worse....even worse than silver maple. But I cant grow grass under it....and I've tried...numerous years overseeding and once the grass grew mightily....only to die back before winter set in. I cant imagine there is a worse spot to grow something like the geranium between it and a Norway Maple. Also, I cant imagine how the ground between these water beasts lets it gain 'wetness'....ttrees in general are notorious for being water hungry. Its never a good idea to plant where the ground is forever wet...pretty soon, the roots are not able to take up any further water---even when they are surrounded by water. Just like overwatering a houseplant...too much water causes the roots to stop taking up water and eventually the plant has problems....often dieing because of it.
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How does your tree look? What is the light situation? Temp inside? Something that expands when moisture is added probably contracts as it evaporates. If so, I would be concerned about the effect of that on roots, as well as the concern you mentioned about how it seems to still be moist after a month, but not sure I am familiar with the stuff you described. Was it called coirpeat? Is it taking that long to dry for other plants you've used that for? Over winter, I only water about once a month for some plants, slow growers in bigger pots. But during the heat of summer, plants are outside & get a drink every 2-3 days. Trimming roots that are growing in an unhealthy pattern, like a pancake shape of spiraling/circling roots that can form at the bottom of a pot over time, doesn't cause stress to a healthy plant, quite the opposite. Without doing that regularly, there would be no bonsais that are hundreds of years old.
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hoosier52
18 years ago
Follow Bamboo's instructions and consider Dwarf Bissetii, Heteroclada, or Pseudosasa Japonica, in fact the Japonica may be the way to go in TX.
bamboo_nuts
18 years ago
Here is one pic that shows this timber bamboo grow out of a shallow pond. And it is doing very well

http://www.endangeredspecies.com/Projects/1979/A-Quail/GiAtro.jpg

PS: I do not know what the woman/man is doing in front of the bamboo though? Looks weird to me :-).

J.N
jetstream
18 years ago
Boo'nuts...I think that's one of TYTY's special clones with a water fairy in the foreground...Z
HennieTx
Original Author
18 years ago
Thanks to everyone for the help; now I know where to start and what to research to see what looks nice. I was afraid of the damp/wet soil issue and the shade. Awesome to know that there are options, thanks again to everyone.

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