Whenever you see a bamboo cage or climbing frame in one of Europe’s zoos, the chances are that it comes from La Bambouseraie, near Alès, which has probably the largest collection of bamboo in the world. Irrigation canals stretching more than five kilometers, a congenial climate and ideal soil make this the perfect place to grow an astonishing forty different varieties.

The bamboo garden, open to the public nine months of the year, was founded in 1855 by Eugène Mazel, who spent most of his life in France’s Far East colonies, and made a fortune importing spices. But even he would have been astonished to see how far the site has developed. Still managed by members of the same family, it now includes a Japanese Zen garden, a Laotian village, a garden labyrinth, sequoia trees, a water garden and a nursery.

During the close season, November to March, La Bambouseraie promotes itself by holding exhibitions in major European capitals and concentrating on the sale of its stock. Visitors can purchase bamboo plants and flowers on site but be warned, bamboo needs plenty of room. In the right conditions, the largest plants can grow more than a metre a day.

                                                                                    Irrigation canal

http://www.bambouseraie.com/

From our August 2008 e-newsletter