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There is no single book that thoroughly covers bamboo culture for the whole world. For Europe and the USA I recommend the first two books, in that order. For the sub-tropics, Southeast Asia and Australia, the third book on my list is best. The best single book is the first, by Meredith.
Bamboo for Gardens by T. M. Meredith (2001) Timber Press, 406 pages, hard cover $39.95The definitive book for the gardener who wants to learn bamboo! Unquestionably the best of the lot. Meredith gives an excellent and reasonably detailed description of all aspects of bamboo culture, propagation, garden placement and some botanical background. Good photos and line drawings contribute to a book that offers a rich source of information to the new or experienced grower of bamboo. It is weak in treating the cultivation of bamboo indoors; not surprising as I have yet to find an adequate source of information. On balance, whether you live in a temperate, sub-tropical or tropical region, you will find this book a valuable source.
The Gardener's Guide to Growing Temperate Bamboosby M. Bell (2000) Timber Press, 158 pages, hard cover $29.95
I found this an excellent and well balanced book giving the fundamentals of bamboo culture. He includes a good number of color photos - although there are never enough. I would have wanted a close-up of one of the lovely blue bamboos. Bell grows bamboo in England (where, because of cooler summers, many Phyllostachys grow as clumping rather than running bamboos) but he is well aware of the differences in bamboo culture encountered in the United States. I recommend this to all who share my enthusiasm for bamboo.
Bamboo World; The Growing and Use of Clumping Bamboos by V. Cusack (2000) Kangaroo Press, Hard cover $45
This is the book if you wish to grow bamboo in the tropics or semi-tropics. Cusack gardens in Australia and is able to grow those massive and lovely bamboos of warmer climates. This book is a great resource for gardeners and craftsmen alike. He covers the appearance, cultivation and propagation of clumping bamboos. He discusses bamboo construction including detailed descriptions of bamboo joinery, and offers a fine guide to the fabrication of bamboo musical instruments. Oh - he includes bamboo cookery as well. The book is well illustrated with photos and line drawings as needed. The only subject he omits is the containment of bamboo. As he makes a vigorous case for growing clumping (slowly spreading) rather than running (rapidly spreading) bamboos this is, of course, his intent. Those of us who live in colder climates, I'm in northern Massachusetts, grow both if we want any variety at all. This is a fine book.
Bamboos by M.F. Wetterwald and C. Recht (1992) Timber Press, 160 pages, hard cover. $29.66
A decent book if you are new to bamboo and particularly want color photos, plant descriptions and cultural directions. It is a little out of date on bamboo containment and on growing bamboo indoors, but is generally fair on the fundamentals.
The Book of Bamboo by D. Farrelly (1995) Sierra Press, 220 pages, soft cover $18.00
A reissue of a well-known book that collected from many older, several out of print sources. There is much new material by the author as well. He covers the use of bamboo in many Asian and South American cultures, and offers some plant descriptions and line drawings. A comprehensive book on the world of bamboo and bamboo in the world.
American Bamboos by E.J. Judziewicz, L.Y. Clark, X. Londono and M.J. Stern (1999) Smithsonian Press, 400 pages, hard cover $45. Amazon offers 30% off
A scholarly but accessible book covering all aspects of American bamboos. Farming, construction, botany are all considered in depth. A modern discussion of bamboo anatomy, long needed is supplied by as well as a rich supply of line drawings and photos. All you ever wanted to know about Guadua and Chusquea between covers. It is unusual to find a book useful to both botanists and gardeners. This book should be a model in the field.
The Bamboos by F.A. McClure (1993) Smithsonian Press, 345 pages, soft cover $17.95
Floyd McClure was the Grand Master of bamboo in the United States. This is a reissue of the original book published by Harvard University Press in 1966. It is a technical book, full of the details of the anatomy of bamboos, the bases of classification of bamboos and the propagation of several bamboos. Though clearly presented, there is little here for the beginner. But if your curiosity leads you to want to know the details this is a book for you.
Pathfinders Guide to Ornamental Grasses by Roger Grounds (1998) Timber Press 192 pages, hard cover $34.95
Roger Grounds was one of the first to write about ornamental grasses in English and in this book gives us a comprehensive and lavishly illustrated to grasses, including bamboos. The book is well organized and will help you choose and identify grasses and some bamboos. The book is written for the UK and the Continent and is reworked for the US market. As our climates are very different this limits the book somewhat. But you'll see some bamboos you will not find elsewhere. The text dealing with bamboos has several errors but is still a very worthwhile addition to the bamboo library.
The Color Encyclopedia of Ornamental Grasses by Rick Clarke (1999) Timber Press 325 pages, hard cover $49.95
Subtitled Sedges, Rushes, Cat-tails and Selected Bamboos, this book is a joy, one that I return to often. It is abundantly and beautifully illustrated with color photos which complement the informative text. Clarke provides the background botany and cultural information you would expect in an encyclopedia as well as fine design ideas. The book is light on bamboo but rich in discussion and photos of the Fargesias so important to gardeners as the hardiest clumping bamboos. I highly recommend this one.
Bamboos by P. Starosta and Y. Crouzet (1998) Evergreen, 121 pages, hard cover. $18
This is a book full of extraordinary bamboo photos. The photographer, Starosta, sees bamboos as I see them. Crouzet's text is excellent but those new to bamboo will need a bit more. If you have any interest in bamboo this book will satisfy profoundly. I saw the original French version of this book in Takashamiya in New York for $80. The price I quote is not a mistake. Don't know how they do it. You will love this book for the photos.
The Bamboos of the World by Dieter Ohrnberger (1999) Elsevier, 596 pages, hardbound $238.50
I've not seen this book yet. However I am familiar with series of publications in which Ohrnberger systematically and authoritatively reviewed the literature of each Tribe and Subtribe of the bamboos. This appears to be a collection of his work under single cover. His work has been invaluable and has provided access, through comprehensive bibliographies and citations, to the world literature on bamboo.
Building With Bamboo: A Handbook by J.A. Jules and Dr. Janssen (1995) soft cover $17.50
I know little about this book other than it deals with construction employing bamboo. As I get many inquiries on this subject I include this book. I am told by those who build structures that it is useful and authoritative.
The Craft & Art of Bamboo by C. Stanger (2001) Lark Books,159 pages, hardbound $27.95
This delightful book is an excellent guide to those who want to build bamboo furnishings, fences, accessories. She gives detailed instructions on choice of material, necessary tools and joining techniques. Elegant illustrations complement the instructions for fabricating everything from vases, fences, dippers, tables and a host of other items.
Bamboos by A.H. Lawson (1968), Taplinger Publishing Co., 185 pages, hard cover
This long out of print book is my favorite. If you can find a copy buy it. The names are out of date, and the book is written with the climate of England in mind. But it is full of good information and the love of bamboo.
The Angler's Bamboo by Luis Marden (1997) Lyons Burford Publishers hardcover $25
This beautiful book deals lovingly with angling, fly fishing in particular, as well as bamboo. The split-bamboo fishing rod comes as close to perfection in satisfying its function. This book tells how it is done and all about the bamboo used - not something you find and cut at the side of the stream. I'm happy to own this one.
A Masters Guide to Building a Bamboo Fly Rodby E.E. Garrison and H.B. Carmichael (Revised 1994) Meadow Run Press, Boxed, hardcover $75
Another lovely book suffused with a love of bamboo and bamboo craft. This is far more than a "how to" book about fly rod making; it illustrates the processes and tools Garrison developed. An engaging mix of engineer, bamboo craftsman and artist, he sup piles details of various tools, techniques and materials selection in extensive photographs and tables. This is physically a beautiful book, one that goes far in explaining the fascination many of us have with bamboo.
Moss Gardening by George Schenk (1997) Timber Press $24.47
A swath of moss in a garden of bamboo, or a garden devoted to moss -- both offer a place of repose and meditation. This book, by one of the most innovative gardeners in the world is a guide to the collection and cultivation of mosses and lichen. There were a few books on the subject published in England twenty years ago but information on moss gardening is otherwise very hard to find. This book,beautifully printed, has ninety-seven plates illustrating various mosses, lichens and liverworts.