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PHYLLOSTACHYS: Bamboo
One of the most useful plants on earth, bamboo can be eaten by humans and animals, used as a sustainable timber product for production of beautiful durable flooring and furniture, planted in gardens for use as screening or focal point and, given the proper skill set, flown around and bounced on during pitched battle against an evil witch ninja who is trying to kill you.
In many of these scenarios, Phyllostachys is the specific bamboo in use. Phyllostachys has many wonderful qualities, but its downside is that it cannot be happy staying in one place. It must wander. For this reason, city gardeners must take care to contain the space where a Phyllostachys is planted.
Growing in bamboo containers is a good idea, providing that the container is easy to remove when bamboo roots fill the soil space and the plant needs to have its roots pruned or divided. Phyllostachys planted in the ground should have a barrier of heavy black plastic planted in a trench completely surrounding the planting area.
For more information see these links:
Click on photos below to enlarge. Our thanks to Jed Doty at Viewcrest Nurseries for the photos.
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Phyllostachys aurea – Golden Bamboo Green culms turn yellow in sunshine and can develop bulbous nodes at the base. |
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Phyllostachys aurea ‘Koi’ has yellow culms with a green sulcus. 15-20’ tall w/ 1 ½” culms. Hardy to 0 degrees f. |
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Phyllostachys aureosulcata – Yellow Groove Bamboo Rigidly upright green culms with yellow sulcus. The variety ‘Spectabilis’ has opposite coloring, yellow culms with green sulcus. 20-25’ tall w/ 1 ½” culms. Hardy to -15 degrees f |
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Phyllostachys aureosulcata alata – Crookstem Bamboo Green form of Yellow Groove Bamboo with zigzag stems at the base. 30’ tall w/ 2” culms. Hardy to -10 degrees f |
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Phyllostachys bambusoides – Madake or Japanese Timber Bamboo
This is a form of bamboo used for timber in Japan. Large, straight thick-walled culms. One of the last to send spring shoots. 35’ tall w/ 2” culms. Hardy to 5 degrees f |
Phyllostachys decora - Beautiful Bamboo
One of the more aggressive runners and more tolerant of drought, temperature extremes and alkaline soils. Shoots are purple and green, maturing to green. Leaves are fatter than most species. 30’ tall w/ 2” culms. Hardy to -5 degrees f |
Phyllostachys dulcis - Sweetshoot Bamboo
Mild-tasting shoots used in Asian food. Thick culms arch, tapering toward the tips, leaning toward light for a fountain-like look. 40’ tall w/ 2-3” culms. Hardy to 0 degrees f |
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Phyllostachys nigra – Black Bamboo
Culms emerge green and mature to black in 1-3 years. Leaves are green. 20-30’ tall w/ 1-2” culms. Hardy to 0 degrees f |
| Phyllostachys nigra ‘Hale’ – Culms turn black at a younger age than the species |
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Phyllostachys nigra ‘Bory’ – Culms are green with black mottling. Grows larger – 50’ tall w/ 3” culms |
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Phyllostachys nuda ‘Hale’ – Nude or Green Bamboo Blue-green culms with powdery coating and white rings at nodes. Small leaves and tasty shoots. 30’ tall w/ 1 ¾” culms. Hardy to -20 degrees f |
Phyllostachys rubromarginata – Red Edge Sheath Bamboo
Long slender culms split well for excellent wood. Shoots are considered good quality for eating, having slight bitterness before parboiling. Leaves that attach to nodes and wrap around the culm are edged reddish purple, thus its common name. Tall, graceful, open. 5
0’ tall w/ 3” culms. Hardy to -5 degrees f |
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Phyllostachys vivax – Timber Bamboo
The most hardy of the large timber bamboos. Walls are thin, so it is not as useful for wood products as other Timber types. Establishes quickly, has excellent shoots for eating and large leaves for a tropical look. Culms can be damaged by wind. 70’ tall w/ 5” culms. Hardy to -5 degrees f |
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