What Bamboo is Right for You?

LARGE BAMBOO

These running bamboos grow to 15-25 ft. in height with a diameter

of 1- 3 in. They tolerate full sun to partial shade.

Black Bamboo (Phyllostachys nigra)

Nice arching habit. A very popular variety of bamboo with culms that eventually turn a deep black color. Wonderful specimen plant. Hardy to 0º F.

 

Tiger Bamboo (Phyllostachys nigra ‘Bory’)

Very upright habit. Bamboo with black splotches on the canes – never turning completely black – commonly called Snakeskin Bamboo. Hardy to 0º F.

 

Butterscotch Bamboo (Phyllostachys bambusoides ‘All Gold’)

Nice upright habit. Beautiful yellow-gold culms that turn a butterscotch color as they age. This plant has a wonderful contrast between the green leaves and the yellow culms. Hardy to 5º F.

 

Nude Sheath Bamboo (Phyllostachys nuda)

Graceful small leafed bamboo with culms that emerge a very black color with white powder on them. Culms turn from dark green to light green as they age. A most hardy bamboo for this area. Hardy to -20º F.

 

Bisset’s Bamboo (Phyllostachys bissetii)

Upright habit. A densegreen bamboo with white rings on the nodes. Hardy to -15º F.

 

Crookstem Bamboo (Phyllostachys aureosulcata ‘Alata’)

Interesting zig zag on lower portion of many of the culms. They are green in color, emerging dark and turning lighter with age. Hardy to -10º F.

 

Very upright habit. Green culms with bright yellow groove. Hardy to -10º F.

Upright habit. This fast growing bamboo has bright yellow culms with a green groove on canes that sometimes zig zag on the bottom. It is the hardiest bamboo with yellow and green striped color patterns. When grown in a full sunny location, the new culms have a spectacular red highlight in the spring and early summer. A spectacular bamboo. Hardy to -10º F.

A slower growing bamboo that has green culms with with a bright yellow groove. New canes are a gorgeous green and yellow color. Rare. Hardy to 5º F.

Golden Bamboo (Phyllostachys aurea)

Very upright habit. A green bamboo with a light yellow hint in its leaves. Also called Tortoise Shell bamboo for the way the lower nodes are distorted and compress at the base. It is probably the most common bamboo in the US. Hardy to 0º F.

Koi Bamboo (Phyllostachys aurea ‘Koi’)

Straight habit. A variation of aurea that has distinct yellow culms with a green stripe but keeps the distorted turtle shell nodes compressed at the base. Probably the most popular aurea for its color. Rare. Hardy to 0º F.

Holochrysa Bamboo (Phyllostachys aurea ‘Holochrysa’)

Straight habit. This bamboo has truly golden culms and keeps the distorted turtle shell nodes compressed at the base. Very rare. Hardy to 0º F.

 

Straight habit. A green culmedversion of aurea with yellow stripes. Very rare. Hardy to 0º F.

 

 

This group of bamboos is less than 15 feet in height.

They are all unique bamboos - appreciated for the differences in their leaves as well as their culms.

Tranquil Bamboo (Hibanobambusa tranquilans ‘Shiroshima’)

A shorter bamboo with large variegated leaves. It grows almost like a tall shrub (to 16’) in full sun, but can tolerate some shade in the afternoon. It can be pruned to control its height. It also grows well in a pot and can even be used indoors as a houseplant. Outdoors in the winter, the leaves get a little ragged, but come late spring they flush out nicely. Hardy to 0º F.

 

The thin, curly, variegated leaves growing on this variety make for a very unusual specimen plant. It is a vigorous grower that attains a maximum height of 6’– 8’. Hardy to 5º F.

 

A full bamboo with a wide leaf that grows to 15’ in height. It prefers afternoon shade.  

Hardy to 10º F.

 

A very unique bamboo with swollen nodes that look like saucers. This bamboo has green culms with beautiful delicate green leaves and grows to 12’. Hardy to 10º F.

 

These bamboos form clumps and do not run.

Yushania is fairly dense bamboo with traditional arching habit. In spring, the green culms have a white powder on them. It is a semi-clumper, meaning it doesn’t run but it sends out long rhizome necks and spreads 8-12 inches at a time. 10’-12’ in height. Hardy to 15º F.

 

Blue Fountain Bamboo (Fargesia nitida)

Slight arching habit to 12’. A very popular clumping bamboo, Fargesias have delicate leaves that bunch on the culm. This variety, with maroon culms, enjoys a shady spot, maybe with some morning sun. This is one of the most striking bamboos – but keep it out of the afternoon sun.

Hardy to -20º F.

A very unique clumbing bamboo that will reach 15’ in height. The leaves are well organized in a tight bunch on the culm. Hardiness to 10º F.

 

Cana Prieta is a beautiful and rare variety of bamboo with culms that are a chocolate brown in color. The leaves are tightly packed at each node. A very rare and tight clumper. Height to 12’.

Hardy to 0º F.

 

This is a spectacular looking clumping bamboo with very elegant leaves and a dark rich coffee colored culm when mature (to 24’). In very severe cold, it may die back, but will revive and look good again that year. Giving it some winter protection is a great idea. Hardy to 10º F.