"EMS" wrote in message

I have planted 7 varieties of Bamboo in my backyard and look
forward to a bamboo forest within the next few years. As it all
grows, we will take out some of the other trees and shrubs that
are
already back there. The holly is already gone, some of the
small
pines are doomed as well.

What I want to know is what kinds of plants should I add that
will
survive along side the bamboo... I had some very nice Japonica
Fatasia at the old house that seemed to grow well and made a
nice
balance for the tall slender bamboo. I also had several hardy
banana trees that added a nice tropical atmosphere to the
garden,
of course it often died back during the winter (Portland OR),
but
always came back from the roots. I was thinking of Gunnera
manicata, but it will also suffer during the Winter.

What else would you folks suggest? Something dramatic and
tough.

EMS

I have a Gunnera here. I mulch it well in the winter.

--

Travis in Shoreline (just North of Seattle) Washington
USDA Zone 8
Sunset Zone 5