Re: Bamboo & other possibilities

pamela,
Of all the bamboos that I have seen grown here in
coastal California, perhaps Golden Bamboo,
Phyllostachys aurea is the toughest, most drought
tolerant one that looks good as a long term container
plant subject to some abuse, such as
infrequent/irregular water and little fertilizer.  Of
course it looks much better given good treatment.  I
also recommend Pseudosasa japonica as another tough
one, but it will show more leaf tip burn without
regular water, especially in windy conditions. 
Mexican Weeping Bamboo,Otatea acuminata v. aztectorum,
is one of my favorites, but may go partly deciduous if
you get regular frost in winter, and has no real
summer drought tolerance, although in habitat it goes
all winter without any rain...

Are you certain that you really want to use bamboo in
such containers?  Some of the Podocarpus species,
Pittosporums, Agonis, Dodonaea, etc could all work
equally well, with less irrigation required.  Also
remember that most all Bamboo shed leaves all year
round, and are messier than many other plants in the
garden.

--- Pamela Steele <pamela@peppercornsfoodservice.com>
wrote:

> Could anyone give me ideas for evergreen plants in
> large 4-6 ft deep
> concrete planter pots which I have had made for the
> side of my driveway for
> screening purposes.  They are rubber paint lined and
> have drainage holes.  I
> have considered Arizonica Fastigata but I am getting
> a little worried about
> this idea as they ones I have seen are very brown
> and tatty. Certainly at
> this time of the year, anyway. A suggestion of
> Bamboo has been made to me
> and I am wondering about suitablity, height,
> problems etc.  I know they will
> need plenty of water. Are there any particular
> varieties with nice
> colours,stay in leaf and  which might have a good
> chance of growing
> successfully here in the hot dry summer of the Costa
> Blanca.
> Thank you
> Pamela
>
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