Description:
Borinda boliana is the largest temperate, clumping bamboo that will grow in western Washington. If you are afraid of running bamboos, but still want the big bamboo look, this might just be the bamboo for the job. Mature size data for my region is unavailable for this newer introduction, but in its native habitat, this upright bamboo reaches about 50 feet with a culm diameter of 2. It thrives in rich, moist, slightly acid soils with summer irrigation, and is hardy to about 10 degrees F. New culms emerge light, glaucous, blue-green, turning shades of burgundy as they mature. It will need full sun exposure for the best coloring, but does well in partially shaded environments too. Save a medium-large space in the garden to display this stately bamboo as a specimen.
Planting History:
I purchased this plant from Boo-Shoot Gardens in May of 2004, and planted out a division in October 2004. This plant performed well over the 2005 growing season, but was very late to start shooting. The new shoots continued growing well into the cool October weather some have finished out, while several newly emerged in September have gone into stasis.
