Japanese Bamboo Garden to Add Life to Your Backyard

Nothing can be as relaxing as nature. Therefore, try a Japanese bamboo garden if you plan to add plants to your landscape and don't know what to go for. These gardens bring peace and tranquility, ensuring you get a cool breeze and a place you can spend some quiet time.

Bamboo comes in many species, making it hard for you to decide. This is important if you are unfamiliar with the plants or are unsure which one to go for. Therefore, we shall discuss a few bamboo species grown in japan.

Let's have a look.

Bamboo Species

As already mentioned, bamboo comes in many different species. So, we shall discuss a few species that you may like.

a). Shrub Bamboo

This tiny gem can grow 7 feet tall, but it is generally much shorter. It has a long, velvety leaf on the underside. This bamboo is also tolerant to shade.

b). Giant Bamboo

This bamboo plant is cold tolerant and grows up to 65 feet tall, with a diameter of 4.5 inches. Canes that have reached maturity have a ghostly pale gray look. The green foliage against the gray canes creates a dramatic contrast.

c). Colorful Bamboo

This bamboo has a lot of qualities that will last a long time. However, it's not your ordinary bamboo. The canes are yellow with an alternate green stripe, the leaves are variegated occasionally, and around 5-20% of the canes have a characteristic bend in the bottom half.

d). Cold Hardy

This is a standard-looking green bamboo. However, the ability of this bamboo to withstand unfavorable growing conditions is what makes it a winner. This bamboo is the toughest on the market. It can withstand cold temperatures, strong winds, salt sprays, and poor soils.

Selecting the Best Plants for a Japanese Bamboo Garden

Before you plant your bamboo garden, you may need to figure a few things out. But, first, you need to consider a few things to ensure your garden thrives. Some of these factors include the following.

a). Climate

Bamboos come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, and some require bright, tropical conditions while others can grow in a cool, shady setting. Unfortunately, tropical bamboos don't grow well in the snow, and many won't even survive. On the other hand, Japanese gardens are associated with moderate climes and the potential for snowfall. So make sure you choose the bamboo that can tolerate the cold.

b). Runners and Clumpers

Bamboo is divided into two sections that discuss how it grows in nature. Clumpers and runners are divided into two categories based on the roots or rhizomes and how quickly they spread.

Clumpers form dense clumps that steadily spread out from their starting point. Runners spread swiftly from their starting point and tend to take over any area where they are present.

Clumping bamboo grows well in tropical climates, whereas running bamboo thrives in temperate climates, either planted or found naturally.

While the number of varieties of this woody grass globally is incalculable, they are certainly enough to keep people interested in using it to make things and other useful goods.

c). Size

Size is one of the factors to consider when choosing bamboo. For example, small bamboos make excellent ground covers or accents for a garden centerpiece. Timber bamboo, on the other hand, has a completely different use. 

It's probably the focal point, or it may be. You'll know if you want a Sasa or a Madake if you know what you want from your plant. Alternatively, a medium-sized Arrow bamboo could suffice.

What are the Uses of Bamboo?

The bamboo plant has endless uses. Let's discuss some of the most common.

a). Making Musical Instruments

The versatility of bamboo when making musical instruments is astonishing. Some musical instruments made using bamboo include flutes, saxophones, digeridoos and drums.

b). Making Clothes

It's the new hemp, which can be manufactured into a robust and durable fabric similar to canvas and used to make a variety of garments. Bamboo fabric is breathable, thermally regulating, and wicks sweat better than polyester performance fabrics, resists smell, is absorbent, and is quick-drying. This ensures it keeps you cooler and more comfortable than cotton or polyester materials. You can also get bamboo baby clothes for your little one!

c). Source of Food

Bamboo shoots are primarily utilized in Asian cuisine. The antioxidant qualities of bamboo skin are used as natural food preservatives in Japan to prevent bacterial growth. In addition, pandas and elephants eat bamboo leaves and shoot as part of their diet.

d). Fuel

Charcoal derived from the bamboo plant has been used as a cooking fuel for millennia in China and Japan. When manufacturing charcoal, bamboo vinegar is extracted and used for hundreds of treatments in many fields. This liquid comprises over 400 different chemical compounds and can be used in pesticides, cosmetics, deodorants, food processing, and agriculture, among other things.

e). Furniture

Image: Bamboo Master

Bamboo can also be used to make furniture. You can find different outdoor and indoor furniture made from bamboo. The best thing about bamboo furniture is that they are strong and flexible. They also offer comfort. Bamboo furniture is also lightweight and easy to move, making it the best for making outdoor furniture, like an outdoor bamboo bench.

f). Building

According to one study, the tensile strength of bamboo can reach 150-200 MPa, which is six times higher than that of steel. This characteristic makes it suitable for building as it is a strong material. Also, if timber is used instead of bamboo, many forest areas will be cleared, which would increase deforestation. Check out how to build with bamboo if you'd like to try it.

Frequently Asked Questions on Japanese Bamboo Gardens

1. How long does Japanese bamboo take to grow?

Bamboo takes three years to establish itself. So as the colony matures, the new shoots that sprout in the Spring will continue to become bigger and more numerous from year to year.

2. Which is the fastest-growing non-invasive bamboo?

Fargesia Robusta Campbell, popularly known as Campbell Bamboo, is a Chinese bamboo. It's a fast-growing bamboo that's also non-invasive, making it ideal if you want to plant fast-growing bamboo.

3. How can I take care of a Japanese garden with bamboo trees?

In general, foliage plants require bright indirect sunshine. Avoid placing them in direct sunlight, which might cause the leaves to burn if the sun is too strong in the afternoon. When the soil becomes drier, make sure to water it. Although the soil should be kept moist, it should not become soggy or wet.

Image: CNN

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