The etymology of the word BAMBOO comes from the wrong pronunciation of
the Indian word MAMBU, which is the local name of a native species of
the plant. The Swedish naturalist Carl Linné first created the modern
vegetal and animal classification and conceived the Latin binominal nomenclature
(that is still used) that indicates the "species" with the name and the
"genus" with the adjective. He mentioned the "Arundo Arbor" in the famous
book "Hortus Cliffortianus", which is one of the first methodical work
on the vegetal world (dated 1737). Later, in his best known "Species plantarum"
(1753) he mentioned the "Arundo Bambos", and this name, then modified
in BAMBUSA, has been officially adopted as identification of the family
.
 In 1993,
when I planted my first Bamboo, I didn't know anything about Indocalamus,
Sasa, Phyllostachys, Bambusa… Today I'm totally seduced and involved by
their energy and vitality and by their charming elegance and their beauty
(think about the Japanese and Chinese water-colour painters) and some
other dimensions…
I own more than 100 different species today in my collection, but it's
becoming more and more difficult to hold such a luxuriant explosion of
this "living" plant in my 10.000 square meters' garden. Also because every
plant is meant to be placed in harmony with the other existing plants:
olive-trees, palms, maples...
The collection grows every day (because of a normal replacement or by
nice friends' presents) and I also get always more and more good friends
all over the world. 
The aim of this site is to let everybody know the "unique" possibilities
of using the different species of Bamboo and create gardens (which are
not only gardens) and natural habits, which are not only the precious
places where we live and receive friends.
I think they can admirably express a thought, a real philosophy, a way
of living made of inner balance, simplicity and peace...
Bamboo is nowadays an interesting topic, and not only for specialists,
scientists, botanists, researchers and nutritionists, but also (and especially
for) designers, gardens architects, artists, psychologists, musicians,
physicians, doctors, poets... |
