The Bamboos of Planbuisson

Le Buisson de Cadouin
Family Time

At the Buisson de Cadouin, there is a remarkable original exotic Garden : Les Bambous de Planbuisson . Come and discover a collection of more than 240 varieties of bamboo and a hundred varieties of grasses and other arboreal species , in a lush and unusual plant space . For amateurs, know that Les Bambous de Planbuisson is also a nursery and quality advice to create your own dream of an exotic garden … Are we going?

A passionate garden

In the 80s, Michel Bonfils created a nursery on his family property of 2ha. At the beginning of his adventure, he did not suspect that it would lead him to constitute one of the most diverse and rich collection of bamboos and other grasses of the old continent . At the beginning of the 90s, he became passionate about bamboo and the hundreds of varieties that make up this very large species of exotic grass, yet established all over the world. Bamboos are Poaceae , from the same family as other familiar and nourishing plants: wheat, corn ...

Michel Bonfils' garden is designed as a conservatory for species . On this large space, plants grow with ease : with good qualified care , without chemicals and in conditions adapted to each species. The garden provides a nearby nursery , which allows lovers to find rare species . Mr. Bonfils regularly enhances his collection by making exchanges with other enthusiasts. He sometimes invites his customers to visit his garden and because of the wonder it produces, decides to open it to the public . In 2005, 2010 and 2015, the Jardins de Planbuisson received the Remarkable Garden label, awarded by the Ministry of Culture. To ensure the continuity of the Garden and the species it shelters, Michel Bonfils created in 2001 an association law 1901: The friends of the Garden of Planbuisson , the vocation of this one is also to share with the amateurs, other discoveries on bamboos, exchanging collections and care techniques.

Michel Bonfils is no longer of this world, he left in 2017 at the age of 84. But thanks to its association, the garden and its incredible plant and cultural heritage are perpetuated . It is now Olivier, the gardener, who takes care of the place he knows perfectly, since he has been maintaining it for years.

Bamboos, these incredible and so little-known plants

Bamboos are divided into several kinds . As you walk through the Planbuisson Gardens , signs tell you the kind of species observed. All bamboos have evergreen foliage , which means that there are green leaves all year round. Bamboo attracts sympathy, but not always from our neighbors. Indeed, it is an invasive plant if it is not properly installed and channeled . On the Jardins de Planbuisson website, as well as at the end of the visit, there are precious tips for choosing your bamboo species , knowing how to plant it without being overwhelmed , advice on maintenance and size . Click to view the page

Bamboos have one main characteristic: they can be " tracing " or " not tracing ". Tracing bamboos are the ones we dread, but also the most beautiful and rustic : they can grow very large (in the right climate), are shimmering and robust . They are said to be invasive because they develop with a system of rhizomes : they advance underground and produce numerous canes . Each year, they “ trace ” and in spring, we see the turions come out of the ground, the tender young shoots ( edible for the most part, it's very good!) And covered with a hard protective sheath . Turions quickly turn into canes. Did you know that in good weather conditions, canes can grow up to 1 m per day?

During your stroll in the park , you will discover a grove of blooming bamboos , this is something new to observe because in Europe, most bamboos only flower once every 60 to 120 years! Some blooms are gregarious , that is to say that all bamboos of the same species bloom at the same time on the globe. Yes, all together, within 2 or 3 years, as if to ensure a renewal of the species ! An incredible plant , isn't it?

Some rods grow up to 1m per day, in optimal conditions

A turion, a young bamboo shoot, surrounded by a sheath of protective leaves

Example of tracing bamboo, we see the canes that grow laterally, on the way

Bamboos have evergreen leaves

Blooming bamboo and the flower up close with its reproductive system

A pleasant and diverse garden

You will understand, the star is bamboo. This is however a pretext for the exhibition of a very beautiful collection of other plants:

Lots of ornamental grasses of all kinds, with elegant and plump habit
Shrubs , which constitute the first base of the collection of Michel Bonfils, thirty years ago
About fifty trees , with essences characteristic of Périgord (walnut trees in particular, of which the family plot was planted) and others more rare here
You will also appreciate sumptuous flower beds , of all colors and arranged in tables with beautiful perspectives
Palm trees , which add a touch of exoticism and are good companions of bamboos
Topiary : pruned shrubs, often cloudy and intended to emphasize the evanescent and wild character of other species
A dry garden , arranged like a Zen space and provided with a bench, allowing you to enjoy it in peace

Walking around the Gardens of Planbuisson is like a trip . The plants around you are mysterious and arouse curiosity . Everything is well informed , with simplicity and efficiency , anyone who just wants to take advantage of the beauty of the alleys walks in complete tranquility and amateurs or savvy find quality information to answer their questions.

Benches to rest and admire these paintings of nature

Flowers and other grasses

Bamboo stubble emerges in trimmed toupees which rustle gently in the wind

We see here that bamboo is really a grass, which looks like corn! Some leaves are very pretty and two-colored, like mottled.

The tranquility of the dry garden, Zen-inspired

A small shop offers you some objects made from bamboo and by visiting the garden, you will see examples of constructions made with bamboo ; I'm ready to bet that at the end of your visit, you will have fallen in love with this versatile and generous grass! Good discovery !

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