Bamboo selection for hot dry climates…

Bamboo thrives in Mediterranean conditions! While this may sound overly optimistic given that many bamboos originated from Asia, it’s also true. Bamboo does thrive in zone 9. You just have to select one of the many drought tolerant bamboo varieties that loves our summer heat, and thrives in our mild winters. In the Central Valley of California, we’ve grown heat tolerant Vivax and Oldhamii bamboos (often together: vivax and oldhamii make a wonderful interspersed shade pairing) with spectacular results. Both Golden and Yellow Groove bamboos also love zone 9, and can perform shading miracles while lapping up our summer heat. For more specific heat loving bamboo varieties we have field tested through 115 degree summers, click here. How you plant bamboo in hot and dry climates is also very important. Keeping your bamboo rhizomes moist in typically heavy clay laden soil (typical in zone 9) can be initially difficult, but the clay also works grandly in our favor, as clay is a wonderful retainer of moisture once properly wetted. Even in midsummer scorch, our bamboos thrive with a once weekly modest watering. Part of bamboos magic is that it retains a massive storage of water just below the surface. Bamboo acts as your sub surface reservoir, collecting and storing large amounts of water in its rhizomes and stems during the rainy season; then returning water to the soil as needed during droughts. Bamboo planted in clay soil gives the Mediterranean gardener a double whammy of moisture holding goodness in summer, and means little to no winter watering is needed.

Planting bamboo in zone 9 requires the budding bamboo connoisseur to be cognizant of the extreme drying factor upon bamboo leaves in our hot and dry summer winds. Bamboo leaves will curl horizontally when dry. A good slower and deeper than average soak will usually bring your drought tolerant bamboo back to health. With proper planning and some zone 9 specific planting “protections,” your bamboo will likely thrive under our Mediterranean sun. The mild winters and loooooong hot summers of zone 9 provide ideal conditions for growing a variety of bamboo species. Don’t be afraid of growing bamboo in the heat, the same sun that makes grapes and olives thrive, makes bamboo grow incredibly green and luscious. Once you’ve selected that perfect heat and drought tolerant bamboo, follow this easy guide to planting bamboo in zone 9 climates.

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