Bamboo Currently Under Cultivation

Genus - Arundinaria

Name Common Height Diameter Min-Temp Sun Description
Arundinaria funghomii 30 1.25 0 F, P An attractive upright bamboo that makes a great hedge or screen. Culms can get a deep burgandy color if exposed to full sun.
Arundinaria gigantea River Cane 27 1.75 5 F One of three native North American bamboos endemic to the southeastern United States. Possible uses include phytoremediation, erosion control and screening.

Genus - Bambusa

These clumping bamboos are evergreen down to 18°F. From 17°F to 12°F, they should be treated as a semi-decidous to decidous plant. Below 12°F expect all of the above ground growth to completely die back, however they will generally remain root-hardy and will put on new growth in mid to late spring. After 10 years of growing these bamboos in the ground and in pots, we typically expect these bamboos to perform similar to other perennial grasses. Areas south of Columbia, SC and east of the I-95 corridor should be able to grow these bamboos with little to no winter damage. For the rest of South Carolina and the Charlotte region these bamboos will perform best situated in a protected south facing location that receives full sun.

Name Common Height Diameter Min-Temp Sun Description
Bambusa multiplex Hedge Bamboo 30 1.5 12 F The species type, topping out at around 20 to 25 feet in our zone. Culms are green with green leaves. The vase like habit of this bamboo makes it an excellent canidate for use as a tall hedge or screen.
Bambusa multiplex 'Alphonse Karr' Alphonse Karr 27 1.5 12 F A very ornamental bamboo with bright yellow culms with random longitudinal green sriping on the internodes. New canes that are exposed to sunlight develop a pink blush in teh spring and summer of their first year giving this bamboo a beautiful tri-color effect. Height and habit are similar to the type.
Bambusa multiplex 'Golden Goddess' Golden Goddess 10 1 12 F A shorter form of multiplex topping out around ten feet. Culms exposed to sunlight take on a golden hue.
Bambusa multiplex 'Riviereorum' Chinese Goddess 10 0.25 12 F A delicate, tiny leaved multiplex that has a very loose open vase shape.
Bambusa multiplex 'Silverstripe' Silverstripe 27 1.5 12 F A vigorous growing multiplex with white striping on the leaves and on some mature culms.
Bambusa textilis Weaver's Bamboo 35 2 12 F A tight upright bamboo that arches gracefully at its top. The walls of the culms are very thin and used in weaving.

Genus - Chimonobambusa

Name Common Height Diameter Min-Temp Sun Description
Chimonobambusa tumidissinoda Walking Stick 18 1.25 10 P A graceful, attractive weeping bamboo with fine foliage that makes a great screen or speciman plant. Culms have large saucer-like nodes which are prized in their native region of China for use in making walking sticks and canes. This is an aggressive runner.

Genus - Hibanobambusa

Name Common Height Diameter Min-Temp Sun Description
Hibanobambusa tranquillans 'Shiroshima' 14 1.25 0 F A stunning smaller bamboo that is the result of a cross between Phyllostachys nira 'Henon' and Sasa vietchii. The leaves are very large and have a persistent, beautiful green and white variegation. Exposed to sunlight, younger leaves will also display a pink to muave blush in addition to the green and white striping. A great speciman plant for the garden or in a large container.

Genus - Indocalamus

Name Common Height Diameter Min-Temp Sun Description
Indocalamus solidus 8 0.5 0 F, P, S A great small ornamental bamboo that can grow well in shade. The leaves of solidus can grow to 10 inches long by 2 inches wide. It is a good speciman to use as a loose hedge along a path or creek.
Indocalamus tessellatus Big Leaf 8 0.5 -5 F, P, S This small bamboo has the largest leaves of any bamboo in cultivation. Its dark green leaves can grow up to 26 inches by 5 inches. The culms are very thin and on a mature plant completely hidden by the mass of weeping foilage. This is a great container bamboo, and once established will stay green in winter temperatures below 0 degrees. Indocalamus tessellatus is great plant for erosion control and makes a stunning tropical looking planting along a creek. It can also be planted around the base of a tree creating a lush thick ground cover.

Genus - Phyllostachys

This genus of bamboo is probably what comes to mind when most people in the Carolinas think about bamboo. The Phyllostachys are generally large to medium sized running bamboos that can create beautiful large groves as well as dense arborescent screens or hedges. All grow well in full sun and in most soil conditions. There are some in the genus that can do very well in a partial sun setting and others that can tolerate soggy soil conditions.

Name Common Height Diameter Min-Temp Sun Description
Phyllostachys atrovaginata Incensce Bamboo 35 2.75 -10 F The shoots are among those having the least bite when raw. Very fast growing and very large in diameter for their height.
Phyllostachys aurea 'Koi' Golden Green Groove 27 1.75 5 F The culms turn from green to yellow after the first 6 months, but the culm grooves remain green.
Phyllostachys aureosulcata Yellow Groove 45 2.25 -5 F The culms are more slender and delicate than Golden bamboo; young culms are green with a yellow groove. Culm internodes distinctly rough to the touch when young, and an occasional culm has a zigzag kink.
Phyllostachys aureosulcata 'Aureocaulis' 26 1.5 -5 F Brilliant yellow culms are entirely yellow except for an occasional green pinstripe. The interplay between the dark green leaves and the bright yellow culms is phenomenal.
Phyllostachys aureosulcata 'Harbin' 26 1.5 -5 F A rare, striking bamboo with yellow culms that have multiple green grooves running the length of each internode. Displays the same geniculations as the type.
Phyllostachys aureosulcata 'Spectabilis' 26 1.5 -5 F A beautiful, colorful medium sized bambbo. Culms are a striking yellow with a green groove with ocassional green pinstriping. New culms where exposed to sunlight turn a bright pink-magenta color giving the bamboo a spectacular tri-color look.
Phyllostachys bambusoides Giant Timber 72 6 5 F A very large slower growing timber bamboo that is highly sought after by artisans. The wood quality of this bamboo is excellent.
Phyllostachys bambusoides 'Allgold' 35 2 5 F Bright golden yellow culms except for occasional thin green stripes. Yellow pinstriping on the leaves is common.
Phyllostachys bambusoides 'Castillon' 35 2 5 F Golden yellow culms with green grooves. Leaves sometimes display thin yellowish pinstriping on them.
Phyllostachys bambusoides 'Slender Crookstem' 48 3 0 F Smaller than than the type with culms that often show a marked zigzag on lower internodes.
Phyllostachys bambusoides 'Tanakae' 50 3.5 5 F Culms marked with random elliptical purplish-brown spots on a yellow or green background depending on sun exposure.
Phyllostachys dulcis Sweetshoot 40 3.25 0 F A fast growing bamboo with arching culms. The common name comes from the fact that the new shoots when prepared for the table have no acrid taste.
Phyllostachys edulis Moso 75 7 5 F Largest of the temperate bamboos, young culms are velvety to the touch. The most used bamboo in China, used for food, timber, paper, plywood, and flooring.
Phyllostachys edulis 'Anderson' Moso 75 7 -6 F A hardy moso clone from Anderson, South Carolina that has withstood temperatures down to -6 F.
Phyllostachys edulis 'Goldstripe' Goldstripe Moso 75 7 5 F Very delicate gold striations on velvety culms.
Phyllostachys glauca 34 2 0 F Named for blue-white powder that completely covers young culms.
Phyllostachys meyeri 33 2 0 F A fast spreading good screening bamboo, similar in appearance to Golden bamboo but without the compressed internodes.
Phyllostachys nidularia Big Node 33 1.5 5 F Distinctive looking shoots in the spring, with very large nodes on the culms. Shoots are said to be good for the table.
Phyllostachys nigra Black 30 2 5 F, P Good clone's culms turn jet black after the first year to two years. Exposure to sunlight appears to accelerate the transition. Black has a very geaceful look to it accented by small leaves and the black culm color.
Phyllostachys nigra 'Bory' Snakeskin 55 3 0 F Differs from the species by growing larger. Culms blotched with attractive random black and brown patterns.
Phyllostachys nigra 'Daikokuchiku' Big Black 57 3.25 5 F A clone from California, claimed to be larger than the species, with culms supposedly turning black more rapidly than other clones.
Phyllostachys nigra 'Hale' 20 1.5 0 F, P Similar to the type, but smaller and hardier. Culms turn black almost with in a year.
Phyllostachys nigra 'Henon' Giant Grey 65 3.5 0 F Culms are green turning a stunning bluish grey with age. Much larger than the species.
Phyllostachys nigra 'Muchisasa' 18 1 5 F, P The culms turn brownish-blacks peckled on a yellow background if exposed to sunlight, not the dense purplish black of the type.
Phyllostachys nuda 34 1.75 -15 F Reputed to be the hardiest species of the genus. New culms are dark green and powdery.
Phyllostachys rubromarginata 55 2.75 -5 F Noted for its good quality wood and edible shoots,it tolerates cold, dry winds. Tests in Alabama showed it to be superior in culm production and cold tolerance.
Phyllostachys viridis 'Houzeau' 45 3 0 F Differs from the type by having culms that are green with a yellow groove.
Phyllostachys viridis 'Robert Young' 40 3 5 F The culms are a mellow gold to a bright yellow depending on sunlight exposure. Multiple green stripes of variable width mark many the culms. This one needs room to run.
Phyllostachys vivax Vivax 70 5 0 F A large thin walled timber bamboo that sizes up very fast. Very similar in size and stature to P.bambusoides. We currently have 50+' culms in under 6 years, in a partially shaded site. Although now they are competeing with the top of the tree canopy for light.
Phyllostachys vivax 'Aureocaulis' Golden Vivax 70 5 0 F Similar in size and sture to the type but with brilliant golden culms. Many of the culms have irregular multiple green stripes on them.
Phyllostachys vivax 'Huangwenzhu' 70 5 -5 F Similar in size and stature to the type but with with yellow striping in the groove of the cane.

Genus - Pleioblastus

Name Common Height Diameter Min-Temp Sun Description
Pleioblastus chino 'Elegantissimus' 10 0.25 10 F, P A delicate, small, thin leaved bamboo with very good variegation of white and green stripes on the leaves. Elegantissimus is a great ornamental, and can be used as a very striking hedge.
Pleioblastus fortunei 4 0.25 10 P, S A small variegated bamboo with white striping on green leaves. Fortunei makes an excellent small hedge or ornamental.
Pleioblastus juxianensis Juxian Bitter Bamboo 20 1.25 0 F, P One of the few tall Pleioblastus. Juxianensis went to seed soon after we planted it at the farm in 2011. We are now waiting to see if it recovers.
Pleioblastus pygmaeus 'Distichus Mini' Distichus Mini 0.75 - 1 0.10 0 P, S The smallest bamboo we have. This tiny leaved bamboo does not grow taller than eight inches for us. Distichus Mini's leaves are one to two inches long, held in a tight cluster, on culms that average around six inches tall. Mini can make an excellent ground cover.
Pleioblastus viridistriatus Dwarf Green Stripe 3 0.25 0 P A beautiful small bamboo that produces intense chartreuse to yellow variegated foilage each spring. This bamboo will make a spectacular spring and summer ornamental in the garden or pot. The more light this bamboo gets the more intense the striping will appear. Mid-winter the foilage of viridistriatus should be mowed or trimmed to the ground in preperation for springs spectacular color.

Genus - Sasa

The Sasa's are excellent small bamboos for partial sun to shade locations. Two of the species we carry have very beautiful and unique variegation on the leaves, and the third can be used to give a taste of the tropics to your yard.

Name Common Height Diameter Min-Temp Sun Description
Sasa kurilensis 'Shimofuri' 7 0.50 0 P, S This bamboo has a stunning delicate variegation to its leaves, as if an artist painstakingly hand painted fine white lines on each of its leaves. Shimofuri would make a beautiful speciman plant or it could easily be used as a stunning backdrop for a shade garden.
Sasa palmata 10 0.50 5 P, S The largest of the Sasa's, palmata is a very verdant, tropical looking bamboo with large leaves, 15 inches by 2 inches, held high on its culms. It is an excellent choice for a low hedge or screen in a partial sun to shady location.
Sasa veitchii Kuma Zasa 5 0.25 0 P, S This is a very attractive cultivar that is distinguished by the false variegation that forms on the edge of the leaves in the fall and winter. The edges of the leaves wither leaving a white ring completely around each leaf. In the spring the old leaves replaced by fresh vibarant green leaves which will repeat the color transformation again in the winter.

Genus - Sasaella

The Sasaella are small thin caned bamboos able to withstand a wide variety of conditions.

Name Common Height Diameter Min-Temp Sun Description
Sasaella masamuneana 'Albostriata' 6 0.25 5 F, P, S This low grower is ideal for contained areas. A beautiful plant for a container or small bedding planting. Its strongly varigated creme on green leaves can brighten up any spot in the garden. It does very well as an underplanting especially mixed with arborescent bamboos. Planted in deep shade it stays very diminutive not reaching much more than a foot in height. In full sun they can grow 3 to 5 feet in height, and can spread aggressively.

Genus - Semiarundinaria

Name Common Height Diameter Min-Temp Sun Description
Semiarundinaria fastuosa Narihira Bamboo 30 1.50 0 F, P One of our favorite landscaping bamboos. It is very upright with short dense branches. In full sun the canes turn a dark amber to a deep blush red in the winter. From our field trials it does not appear to run as aggressively as the Phyllostachys.
Semiarundinaria yashadake 'Kimmei' 10 0.50 5 P, S A smaller, thin culmed, running bamboo that can make an excellent low tropical looking hedge. The culms are buttery yellow with a green stripe.