Friday, May 28, 2010

Bamboo part 1

Bamboo is one of the most widely used materials in the pacific northwest, both as a live specimen in a garden setting as well as a dry material in fencing, gates, and various garden structures, but it is seldom used to its full potential. In my opinion it is best planted up against a solid backdrop (retaining wall, fencing, house exterior, etc) that sharpens its unique foliage and willowy stalks. For the same reason as above, I like to avoid planting anything around the base of bamboo so as not to hide its shape, with the exception of some ground covers, mosses, gravel or carefully placed stones. As the material for a structure it can be steamed and stretched, cut into a variety of shapes, woven through narrow posts, twisted, tied, mounted, and stained.






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