422 



THE BOOK OF GARDENING. 



AucuBAS. — See page 459. 

 AzARAS. — See page 459. 



Bamboos. — -These include Arundinaria^ Banibiisa^ and 

 Phyllostachys, and are the most beautiful of all hardy 

 ornamental-foliaged shrubs, imparting to the landscape a tropical 

 aspect. To produce the best results in this country, a little extra 

 care is necessary. They suffer less from a low temperature than 

 from east and north-east winds in early summer, when growth is 

 tender. It is therefore essential to fix upon a site sheltered from 

 cold winds, especially north and east. Although ordinary soil 

 suits them, they are happier when grown in a rich loam with 

 plenty of cow - manure and good leaf - mould incorporated. 

 During the growing season, an abundance of water should be 

 given to the roots, for which reason ample drainage should be 

 provided. An annual topdressing of leaf-mould will increase 

 the vigour of the plants. 



If transplanting, or division of the plants, is necessary, this 

 should be done in early summer, when growth is commencing, as 

 they will then grow away freely, without feeling any ill-effects. 

 As soon as planting is completed, a good watering should be 

 given, to settle the soil about the roots, and repeated at 

 intervals. 



Bamboos are particularly useful for sub-tropical bedding, and 

 charming as isolated specimens on the fringe of the lawn, as 

 well as for decorating the banks of lakes and streams. They 

 are also excellent for growing in pots for the decoration of cool 

 greenhouses, provided they are never allowed to want for water. 

 . Arundinaria aurico7na {Bambusa Fortimei aured) is a lovely 

 Japanese kind forming a dense mass about 4ft. high, with 

 greenish-yellow leaves striped with green. A. Fortiinei (yBainbiisa 

 Fortunei variegaid) is also of Japanese origin, \vith rich green 

 leaves, beautifully variegated with white. It is admirably 

 adapted for planting in the front of the shrubbery, and 

 also for growing in pots for the conservatory. It spreads 

 rapidly, and partly loses its foliage in winter. When grown 

 in pots, it should be well supplied with water, otherwise the 

 lower foliage assumes a rusty-brown colour, and eventually falls. 

 A. japonica {Bambusa Metake) (Fig. 271) has been cultivated in 

 this country for about fifty years, and beyond doubt is one of 

 the finest species for English gardens. It forms a thick mass, 

 with gracefully-arching growths and broad deep green leaves. It 

 succeeds better than most Bamboos in dry soils, and when 

 planted in sheltered ravines is effective, retaining its foliage all 

 the winter. In exposed situations it occasionally loses some of 

 its older leaves in autumn. It is a free grower, and delights in 

 plenty of root-room. A. Falconeri {Thajnnocalamus Falco}ie?d) is 

 an elegant species, and in sheltered spots is quite hardy here. 



