Black Bamboo (Phyllostachys nigra)

Black Bamboo
Phyllostachys nigra

Taken at the Oakland CA. Zoo

Sue, did I ever tell you that you are the one that got me going on bamboo? Remember when you wanted a pot of back bamboo? I started looking at them in every nursery I went to trying to find a good one at a good price for you. Then suddenly I started admiring them. Then I found one with PINK culms that had KELLEY written all over it. That was the end. I now have 6 kinds and on my way to get others for sure. LOL ALL YOUR FAULT!! And then after contaminating me, you decided you didn't want any!!!!!! BAD BAD SUE! LOL

Who Moi??? LOL
LOL, I still would love black, or any of those fancy blue ones but where would I safely plant any? Can't have anything except clumping forms. That black one at the zoo was so gorgeous!
Someday we should go down to that bamboo nursery in Aptos.

I am going to the one in Sebastopol this coming week, dragging Zuzu.

I can't remember why I decided not to go to the one in Aptos. There was something on their site that turned me off. I went to one near Zu when Kassia was here (not to the one I am going to this week). I dragged them both there. I had met the guy at the Marin Farmer's Market and he said his prices were wholesale. Oh right. $150, regardless of which one or how big.

Hey Sue......where would you put it? Where do I put them? IN POTS silly!!! You know the drill.

Here is Kassia with the object of my affection. LOL

Oh WOW, look at that YELLOW!

We drove by that bamboo nursery when I was up there last with Zuzu, she pointed it out.

Well, yes, BIG pots would be my only option and I still would limit it to clumping forms.
There is a neighbor a couple of block over, every time I drive by I admire their two gorgeous clumps of bamboo on either side of their doorway. Lighter yellow bare stems below and huge leaf tufts above, very handsome specimens.

How can you not want such a plant screaming out in your very own garden? LOL. Another HUGE attractive trait is the noise they make in the wind. Just so relaxing. I am going to put a few outside my bedroom window.

You went by the one in the picture? It was in a weird place, Zu said she didn't even know it existed. I have never even seen it listed anywhere. I only found it because I met the owner selling at the Marin Farmer's Market. Maybe she will remember the name. I would go back to see their display garden again.

I actually just read an article last week that said for pot culture, better you get the running kind. I had thought, like you, only to get the clumping. Of course now I can't remember why. LOL But they fill a pot better.

Last time I was up to see Zuzu I bought a red streaked one. It was such a deal too. At Harmony. Oh my, just a love. http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/showimage/175954/

Oh, that is gorgeous. I have a plain cheapie HD one that I planted in a huge brick red clay pot right by mt sliding glass door out back. It's filled in really nice and full since this picture of when I first planted it. And yes, I love the rustling sound it makes in the breeze.

Hmmm, that there pot doesn't look so huge now.

That looks so gorgeous, Sue. A RED culm one would look so hot in that pot. LOL. Perfect shape for that space too.

I need to buy a few more of the big pots for my new bamboo. OSH had some big ceramic ones that were so reasonable last fall. I hope they get some nice ones in early. I need a good one for my black bamboo too.