HARDY BAMBOOS 219 



exceed these shrubby grasses in beauty and grace, 

 in luxuriance of leafage, or in their bright, fresh, 

 green tints in winter. Very few, indeed, equal 

 them." 



Although fifty species and varieties of this lovely 

 family are now grown, only about twenty need be 

 thought of, because many of them from the orna- 

 mental point of view are valueless in the English 

 garden. The hardy Bamboos belong to three groups 

 or genera Phyllostachys, Arundinaria, and Bambusa 

 and it is well to thoroughly understand these divisions. 

 We hope those trade growers who still group every- 

 thing as Bambusa will follow the now accepted 

 classification. The following have proved the most 

 hardy and beautiful in the Bamboo garden at Kew : 

 Phyllostachys Henom's, P. fastuosa, P. viridi-glaucescens, 

 P. flexuosa, P. nigra, P. boryana, P. sulphured, P. Mar- 

 liaceciy P. rusci folia, P. Castillonis, Arundinaria nitida, 

 A. japonica, A. auricoma, A. Simoni, A. Fortunei, A. 

 anceps, A. Hindsii var. graminea y Bambusa palmata, B. 

 tessellata, and B. marmorea. 



In selecting a place for the Bamboo colony, think 

 well of position. Shelter from north and east is 

 essential. Luxuriant leafy stems are only possible 

 when the plants are screened from winds in these 

 quarters, indeed from all winds. Cold north and 

 east winds are more harmful than severe frost, and 

 this applies to all the tender evergreens. A moist 

 and rich soil is also important. Without it luxuriant 

 growth is impossible, and a Bamboo that is not leafy, 

 that does not bend its tall, graceful stems to the 



