Bamboo

( bam - BOO )

At-A-Glance Information

This genus of giant grasses need sun or partial shade and little to regular water. They have woody stems divided into sections called nodes. Upper nodes develop buds that turn into branches and leaves, and spread by rhizomes. There are two different types of Bamboo, those that are 'clumping' and those that are 'running'. Most clumping Bamboo hails from tropical or subtropical regions, and rhizomes grow a few inches from the parent plant and send up shoots continually but slowly. In the running type of Bamboo, rhizomes grow various distances from the parent plant and then send up shoots. They are native to China and Japan and require a good amount of maintenance when grown in gardens. Take care when planting Bamboo in the landscape, as various species and forms are toxic if ingested. 

Bamboo Genera, Species and Varietals

Bamboo plants are divided into four groups, each with their own unique habits, sizes and growing speeds. They vary in their hardiness, as well. See the species descriptions below for more information. Instead of using growing zones, the descriptions below list down to what temperature the species of Bamboo is hardy.
Group I Bamboo
This group includes compact dwarf species of Bamboo that get 5-10 feet tall as well as groundcover, low-growing varieties that reach 1-4 feet tall. They are running type Bamboos, and are commonly used for erosion control due to their spreading habit. They can also be contained in small clumps in borders or rock gardens, and should be cut back in wintertime to maintain low growth height and encourage new growth to sprout.
Indocalamus tessellatus
(Big Leaf Bamboo)
Gets between 2 and 7 feet tall, with 1/2 inch wide stems and hardy to -17 degrees Fahrenheit. Leaves spread like large fingers away from stems, spreads rapidly and loves shade. Great in containers.
Pleioblastus chino 'Murakamiansus'
​To between 2-10 feet tall and hardy to 10 degrees Fahrenheit, with bright green leaves striped with white. Prune to 2 inches tall in winter to revive foliage. Great in containers with 1/2 day sun. Stems are 3/4 inch wide.
Pleioblastus distichus
(Dwarf Fernleaf Bamboo)
​To between 1-2 feet tall and hardy to 5 degrees Fahrenheit, with stems 1/8 inch wide. Delicate bamboo with ferny foliage. Rampant spreader; cut back to the ground to revive and neaten.
Pleioblastus fortunei 
​(Pleiblastus variegatus)
(Dwarf White-Stripe Bamboo)
​To between 1-4 feet tall and hardy to 10 degrees Fahrenheit. Spreads quickly - grow in containers or as a groundcover. Needs full sun to light shade.
Pleioblastus pygmaeus
​To 2 feet tall, with 1/8 inch wide stems and hardy to 0 degrees Fahrenheit. Aggressively spreads; good for erosion control. Mow every couple of years to keep neat.
Pleioblastus shibuyanus 'Tsuboi'
​To 3-9 feet tall and hardy to 0 degrees Fahrenheit. Foliage is green and gold Can be pruned as a large groundcover or hedge. Great in containers.
Pleioblastus viridistriatus 
​(Dwarf Green-Stripe Bamboo)
​To 1-3 feet tall and hardy to 0 degrees Fahrenheit, with 1/4-inch stems. Leaves are green and gold; mow in winter to encourage more spring growth. Partial to full shade.
Sasa palmata nebulosa
​To 6-12 feet tall with a tropical appearance. Hardy to -10 degrees Fahrenheit, and 1/2-1 inch green culms with black spots. Vigorous grower, great for pots. Needs almost full shade.
Sasa veitchii
​To 2-5 feet tall and hardy to -10 degrees Fahrenheit. Spreads vigorously; dark green leaves develop buff-colored margins in fall. Best in partial shade. Stems are 1/4 inch thick.
Group II Bamboo
This group of Bamboo plants are characterized by their clumping, fountainlike habits and moderate rate of growing. They reach between 10 and 30 feet tall and are non-invasive. Use these Bamboos as screening plants.
Bambusa chungii
​(Tropical Blue Bamboo)
This species reaches 25-28 feet tall and has 2.5-inch wide stems. This species is hardy down to 21 degrees Fahrenheit and has a graceful, upright habit. Culms are covered in white powdery substance that give the plant an overall soft blue effect. Loose clumps.
Bambusa chungii barbelatta
​(Baby Blue Bamboo)
To 18-20 feet tall with stems 1.5 feet across. Smaller than the species; with thinner culms and tighter clumps. Great for small gardens or as accent bamboos. Hardy to 21 degrees Fahrenheit.
Bambusa multiplex 'Alphonse Karr'
(Alphonse Karr Bamboo)
​To 8-10 feet tall with 1/2-1 inch wide stems. Hardy to 15 degrees Fahrenheit, and branches appear from the base all the way to the top. Growth is dense, and culms are striped with brilliant green on yellow. New growth is pink-green.
Bambusa multiplex 'Fernleaf'
(Fernleaf Bamboo) (B. m. 'Floribunda')
This species reaches between 6 and 20 feet tall and has 1/2 inch wide stalks. Hardy to 15 degrees Fahrenheit, with closely spaced leaves.
Bambusa multiplex 'Golden Goddess'
(Golden Goddess Bamboo)
Between 6 and 10 feet tall, this species has stems 1/2 inch in diameter and is hardy to 15 degrees Fahrenheit. Stems are gold, and growth is arching. Great as a container bamboo or as a screening pant.
Borinda fungosa (Fargesia fungosa)
Reaches 10-20 feet tall and has 1 inch wide stems. Hardy to 10 degrees Fahrenheit, and has a weeping habit. Foliage turns brown on sunny side of the plant. Best in light shade or morning sun. Use as screen or specimen.
Fargesia murielae (Sinarundinaria murielae) (Umbrella Bamboo)
This species reaches between 6-15 feet tall and has 1/2 inch stems. Hardy to -20 degrees Fahrenheit, with an airy habit. Best in shaded areas.
Fargesia nitida (Fountain Bamboo)
​This species reaches between 6 and 20 feet tall with 1/2 inch stems. ​Hardy to -20 degrees Fahrenheit, and has weeping, green-purple foliage that matures to almost black. Needs shade for best color. A rare species.
Fargesia robusta
Reaches between 12-20 feet tall and has 1-inch wide stems. Hardy to -2 degrees Fahrenheit, with lush clumps. Sheaths are white; needs shade in warm climates. Varieties include 'Campbell' (pictured; compact, smaller leaves) and 'Green Screen' (broader leaves).
Fargesia rufa
Between 6 and 15 feet tall with 1/2 inch stems and hardy to -20 degrees Fahrenheit. Sheaths are orange-red, good specimen or hedge.
Himalayacalamus asper (Neomicrocalamus microphyllus) (Princess Bamboo)
To 8-20 feet tall with 1.5-inch wide stems, hardy to 15 degrees Fahrenheit. Tight clumping, bright green culms (shade) or maroon culms (sun). Small leaves;  best in 1/2-day sun. Great screen or specimen.
Himalayacalamus hookerianus
(Blue Bamboo)
Between 10-22 feet tall and hardy to 20 degrees Fahrenheit. 1-inch wide sky-blue stems that have a white or reddish powder. Blue-green foliage; great in partial shade.
Otatea acuminata aztecorum
(Mexican Weeping Bamboo)
To 8-20 feet tall and hardy to 22 degrees Fahrenheit. Stems are 1.5 inches wide. Lacy foliaged plant that bends nearly to the ground and forms loose clumps. Drought-resistant when established. Needs shade in warmer areas. Dwarf form to 4 feet available.
Semiarundinaria fastuosa (Nahrihira Bamboo)
Between 8-30 feet tall and hardy to -5 degrees Fahrenheit. Upright grower and slow spreader. Plant close to make a screen or hedge. Best in full sun exposure.
Group III Bamboo
These Bamboo species have runners and need to be contained via underground barriers to avoid becoming invasive. They reach a moderate size (between 10 and 30 feet tall) with an upright habit and are useful for screening and trimming into hedges.
Chimonobambusa quadrangularis (Square-Stem Bamboo)
Between 10-25 feet tall and hardy to 15 degrees Fahrenheit. Stems are 1.5 inches wide, and culms are squared with prominent joints.
Phyllostachys aurea (Golden Bamboo)
Between 6 and 27 feet tall hardy to 0 degrees Fahrenheit. Stems are 1.75 inches wide, and culms are stiff and erect. Dense foliage; great screen or hedge. Good for growing in tubs; can tolerate drought conditions.
Phyllostachys aureosulcata
(Yellow Groove Bamboo)
Between 12-25 feet tall and hardy to -10 degrees Fahrenheit. Young growth is green with yellow grooving.
Phyllostachys nigra (Black Bamboo)
Between 4 and 30 feet tall, with 2 inch-wide stems new green growth that matures to black. Does best in afternoon shade in warm areas.
Phyllostachys nigra 'Hale'
Hardy to -5 degrees Fahrenheit and reaching 10-20 feet tall. Stems are 1.5 inches wide, and culms turn jet black within 3-6 months.
Pseudosasa japonica (Arrow Bamboo)
To 6-18 feet tall and hardy to 0 degrees Fahrenheit. Stiff, erect culms. Large leaves. Forms a thick hedge. Needs partial shade in warm climates.
Group IV Bamboo (Giant Bamboo)
This group of Bamboo is useful for creating groves on a large-scale. They form clumps and have a tropical look to them, and are wonderful for Asian-style gardens. All can be clipped, and basal culms can be removed in order to thin clumps or groves.
Bambusa oldhamii (Oldham Bamboo, Clumping Giant Timber Bamboo)
This species reaches 15-55 feet tall and has stems with a diameter of 4 inches. Hardy to 20 degrees Fahrenheit, with dense foliage that makes it great for screening.
Bambusa textilis (Weaver's Bamboo)
Reaches between 16 and 50 feet tall with 2 inch wide stems and hardy down to 20 degrees Fahrenheit. Forms a tight column of blue-powdered canes that arch at the top. Use as a screen or specimen. Half-size dwarf variety available.
Bambusa vulgaris 'Vittata'
(Painted Bamboo)
To 15-50 feet tall, 4 inch wide stems and hardy down to 32 degrees Fahrenheit. Culms are yellow with vertical green stripes.
Phyllostachys bambusoides (Giant Timber Bamboo, Japanese Timber Bamboo) 
Between 15 and 55 feet tall with 6 inch wide stems and hardy to -5 degrees Fahrenheit. Makes a great grove, Dwarf and variegated forms available.
Phyllostachys edulis (Moso)
Reaches between 40 and 80 feet tall with stems that are 4-7 inches wide. Hardy to 0 degrees Fahrenheit. Largest hardy Bamboo in the world, shoots are edible, leaves are small. Slow growing, best in full sun.
Phyllostachys 'Daikokuchiku'
(Giant Black Bamboo)
To 25-57 feet tall and hardy to 0 degrees Fahrenheit. Stems are 3.5 inches wide, and does well in warm summers. 
Phyllostachys vivax
Between 15-70 feet tall and hardy to -5 degrees Fahrenheit. Stems are 5 inches wide. Hardy and vigorous giant bamboo; multicolored forms available.

Caring for Bamboo

Propagation

Problems and Pests

Gallery

Camellias are great candidates to be grown as container plants on your patio.
A field of thea sinensis
Camellia hiemalis 'Shishi Gashira'

Videos

A video all about growing camellias successfully
Propagating camellias

Resources

Wikipedia: Bamboo
The New Sunset Western Garden Book: The Ultimate Gardening Guide (2012) - Pages 182 - 186, Bamboo
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