NOTEWORTHY PERENNIALS 99 



Bamboos 



The Ramboos form a group of interesting grasses, interesting be- 

 case of their association with many uses to which they are put by the 

 Japanese. Few of our outdoor Ramboos, however, grow so that we 

 can actually use them for fishpoles. They are usually more bushy. 

 Three principal genera of grasses are known as Ramboos, namely: 

 Bambusa, Arundinaria and Phyllostachys. Generally speaking it is 

 wise to protect all of the sorts listed as Ramboos. 



The choicest and hardiest sorts include the following: 



Arundinaria auricoma. This grass is an excellent purple-stemmed 

 variety, having green and yellow variegated foliage. It is rather 

 dwarf, growing only 3 feet tall. 



Arundinaria Foriunei. This is the smallest of the common hardy 

 Ramboos, growing only 18 inches tall and having evergreen foliage, 

 variegated green and white. Although it lacks the grace of the taller 

 varieties, it is often used for edging or in rockeries. 



Arundinaria japonica (B. Metake). Arrow Ramboo. This hand- 

 some variety from Japan forms dense masses 8 feet to 10 feet high. The 

 leaves remain on the plant in good condition well into Midwinter. This 

 sort is reliable and thrives under trying conditions. 



Arundinaria Simonii. This sort is distinct and of vigorous 

 growth, the branches being grouped in dense clusters. The narrow, 

 green leaves are occasionally striped with white. It grows 20 feet tall 

 in China although 15 feet is considered to be a good growth in this 

 country. 



Bambusa palmaia. This is an effective, broad-leaved species form- 

 ing dense clumps 4 feet high. The bright green leaves are often 15 

 inches long and 3 inches wide. 



Phyllostachys aurea. Golden Ramboo. This graceful Chinese 

 sort has close jointed canes which are light green when young, but 

 change to a straw yellow when mature. The plants grow 15 feet tall 

 and are covered with small branches which bear soft green foliage. 



Elymus— Blue Lime Grass 



Elymus glaums is an excellent grass of spreading habit, with nar- 

 row, bluish-green leaves. It makes an earlier start in Spring than most 

 grasses and grows 3 feet high. 



