We went to visit friends in Milwaukee and I was really impressed with this espaliered persimmon tree. It's a beautiful addition to a garage wall, and might even produce something edible one day. Like all other gardeners, L. couldn't accept a compliment, and told us all about crappy this is, since it was her first attempt to espalier something. Apparently, if you use the candelabra shape you shouldn't have a thick central leader, and there are a few bumps where she left the pruning a bit too late. However, since I'm not a card-carrying member of the espalier-nazis, a notorious organization whose mission is to provide devastating critiques of innocent gardeners' attempts to train trees into attractive and space-saving shapes, I thought it looked very nice. I'm tempted to try this on the shittiest part of my yard, although I'm not sure it gets enough sun for a fruit tree.
I'm also really jealous of L.'s bamboo.
I want to get one, but bamboo plants are pretty expensive and I'm afraid it will die. Milwaukee is just a bit more temperate than Madison. There are a few varieties that supposedly will survive our winters, such as Rubro and Nuda, but I have my doubts (some sellers list them for zone 6, making me skeptical of other sellers who optimistically claim they'll make it in zone 5). Rubro and Nuda are also spreading rather than clumping--my preference is for a clumping bamboo. I really hate to plant anything that can be described as an aggressive spreader. That so often ends in disaster.
So, to recap, I can't plant bamboo because I'm afraid it will either take over my block or freeze to death.
I like your approach! Bamboo will def take over your block. It cannot be stopped!
ReplyDeleteI hope you continue blogging!