Clumping Bamboos
| BALCOOA BAMBOO Bambusa balcooa |
|
| GIANT, POLES |
Origin: INDIA, NEPAL |
RARE |
| Up to 80' tall x 6 1/4" dia. |
Hardy to 18`F, FULL SUN |
SHOOTS EDIBLE |
| A beautiful, giant, thick-walled bamboo useful for construction. It has very large leaves and the poles have long arching tips which give it a very poetic appearance, like giant fishing poles. The long perpendicular branches can make the poles difficult to extract if the grove isn't regularly thinned. It is prized in India for use as scaffolding, beams, pillars and splits for wall panels for houses. It is probably the largest species which can grow in Tucson. |
| GIANT THORNY BAMBOO Bambusa bambos |
|
| GIANT |
Origin: INDIA |
RARE |
| Up to 100' tall x 7" dia. |
Hardy to 27`F (has survived short exposures to 19`F) |
SHOOTS BITTER |
| A fast-growing giant tropical bamboo much used for timber and pulp in India. When large, the lower branches get long and are armed with large, curved thorns, forming an impenetrable barrier. It is natually deciduous, displaying "fall colors" before dropping its leaves. While being rather drought tolerant, it is one of the few bamboos that doesn't mind wet feet. Give it some room, it's a large plant. |
| BEECHEY BAMBOO Bambusa beecheyana |
|
| ORNAMENTAL |
Origin: CHINA |
|
| Up To 55' tall x 5" diam. |
Hardy to 18`F, FULL SUN |
SHOOTS DELICIOUS |
| A very fast growing hardy tropical with hard, useful poles used for rafts and pipes. It has short internodes and arching tips, giving it a poetic appearance. The summer shoots are fat and tasty. |
| SPINY BAMBOO Bambusa blumeana |
|
| TIMBER |
Origin: INDONESIA |
RARE |
| Up to 60' tall x 5" dia. |
Hardy to 15`F, FULL SUN |
SHOOTS EDIBLE |
| A tall, useful bamboo with very hard wood and spiny lower branches. Used for construction, basketry, furniture, parquets, etc. |
| STRIKING BAMBOO Bambusa boniopsis* |
|
| ORNAMENTAL |
Origin: CHINA |
RARE |
| Up to 25' tall x 2" diam. |
Hardy to 15`F, FULL SUN |
|
| A very attractive landscape plant with thick walled, useful poles and long, wide leaves . Its compact size makes it the perfect choice for a small garden space. Grows very rapidly and has few low branches. This plant is an outstanding landscape species but more closely resembles a Dendrocalamus than a Bambusa and it is probably related to Dendrocalamus minor, a very cold-hardy member of the genus. |
| BURMA BAMBOO Bambusa burmanica |
|
| GIANT |
Origin: BURMA, THAILAND |
RARE |
| Up to 60' tall x 6" dia. |
Hardy to 25`F (has survived short exposures to 19`F), FULL SUN |
|
| A large, attractive plant that is used for construction or as a windbreak. The poles are straight and very dense making it useful for house construction. |
| TROPICAL BLUE BAMBOO Bambusa chungii |
|
| ORNAMENTAL |
Origin: CHINA |
RARE |
| Up to 32' tall x 2" dia. |
Hardy to 21`F, PART SHADE |
|
| One of the most beautiful and sought after bamboos. The dark green culms are covered with a white waxy powder which makes them appear sky blue. The poles are thin walled and have long internodes making it useful for making flutes and splitting for weaving. It is an outstanding ornamental plant. |
| BARBELLATA BLUE BAMBOO Bambusa chungii barbellata |
|
| ORNAMENTAL |
Origin: CHINA |
RARE |
| Up to 22' tall x 1 ½"" dia. |
Hardy to 21`F, PART SHADE |
|
| A smaller form of Tropical Blue Bamboo. Makes a beautiful landscape plant. |
| DRAGON'S NEST BAMBOO Bambusa dissimulator |
|
| TIMBER |
Origin: CHINA |
RARE |
| UP TO 50' tall x 3" diam. |
Hardy to 15`F FULL SUN |
|
| A very fast growing hardy tropical with hard, thick walled, useful poles used for construction and as carrying poles. Makes a dense grove of both erect and arching culms. The long branches make it useful as a green fence or windbreak. Deals with the desert heat very well. |
| GIANT GREENSTRIPE Bambusa dolichoclada 'Stripe' |
|
| TIMBER, ORNAMENTAL |
Origin: TAIWAN |
RARE |
| UP TO 65' tall x 4" diam. |
Hardy to 20`F FULL SUN |
|
| A beautiful giant bamboo. Culms are a waxy yellow with dark green stripes. Used in weaving or as a windbreak. Poles are hard and useful. |
| GREEN-STRIPED BLOWPIPE BAMBOO Bambusa dolichomerithalla 'greenstripe' |
|
| ORNAMENTAL |
Origin: TAIWAN |
RARE |
| Up to 35' tall x 2" dia. |
Hardy to 15`F FULL SUN |
|
| A beautiful accent plant with yellow culms and dark green stripes. The lower nodes are free of branches. Traditionally used as blowpipe for cooking. |
| SILVER-STRIPE BLOWPIPE BAMBOO Bambusa dolichomerithalla 'silverstripe' |
|
| ORNAMENTAL |
Origin: TAIWAN |
RARE |
| Up to 35' tall x 2" dia. |
Hardy to 15`F FULL SUN |
|
| A beautiful accent plant with green culms with silver stripes. The lower nodes are free of branches. Traditionally used as blowpipe for cooking. |
| ASIAN LEMON BAMBOO Bambusa eutuldoides viridivittata |
|
| ORNAMENTAL, POLES |
Origin: HONG KONG |
RARE |
| Up to 40' tall x 2 ½" " dia. |
Hardy to 13`F FULL SUN |
|
| A beautiful and useful plant, it has lemon yellow canes with dark green stripes. The new shoots have orange and peach tones with stripes. The poles are hard and durable and used for farm implements, scaffolding and houses. Formerly it was called Bambusa textilis vittata. |
| PURPLE-STRIPE BAMBOO Bambusa intermedia |
|
| ORNAMENTAL |
Origin: YUNNAN, CHINA |
RARE |
| Up to 30' tall x 2" " dia. |
Hardy to 15`F FULL SUN |
|
| A medium-sized bamboo from the temperate areas of south China where it is used as a source of edible shoots and strong, thick walled poles. Culms are dark green with purplish streaks making it an attractive landscape plant. The poles are used for weaving and farm implements. |
| TIMOR BLACK BAMBOO Bambusa lako |
|
| ORNAMENTAL, POLES |
Origin: TIMOR, INDONESIA |
RARE |
| Up to 70' tall x 4" dia. |
Hardy to 25`F FULL SUN |
|
| A gorgeous bamboo having purple-black culms with occasional lime-green pinstripes. The wood is hard and useful for construction or musical instruments. It is much sought after as a landscape plant. |
| PRING TUTUL (SPOTTED BAMBOO) Bambusa maculata |
|
| ORNAMENTAL |
Origin: BALI, INDONESIA |
VERY RARE |
| Up to 60' x 5" dia. |
Hardy to 25`F FULL SUN |
|
| A beautiful bamboo much sought after for the furniture trade due to the brown spots which develop on the mature culms. It is only found in Bali and is extremely rare. |
| SEA BREEZE BAMBOO Bambusa malingensis |
|
| TALL HEDGE |
Origin: HAINAN ISLAND, HONG KONG |
|
| Up to 35' tall x 2 1/2 " dia. |
Hardy to 15`F FULL SUN |
|
| A fast-growing, useful bamboo with strong, straight poles for frames, crafts or light construction. Quickly makes a dense hedge and windbreak. It is resistant to salt spray, alkaline soils, and easily withstands the desert heat. |
| WAYA BAMBOO Bambusa membranacea ( = Dendrocalamus membranaceus) |
|
| TIMBER |
Origin: THAILAND, BURMA, LAOS |
RARE |
| Up to 70' tall by 4" diam. |
Hardy to 25`F FULL SUN |
SHOOTS EDIBLE |
| A large, fast growing, useful bamboo with straight, thin walled but strong culms. It grows in open clumps with widely spaced culms arching at the tips, making it an attractive landscape plant. |
| HEDGE BAMBOO Bambusa multiplex |
|
| HEDGE |
Origin: CHINA |
|
| Up to 25' tall x 1 1/2" dia. |
Hardy to 12`F FULL SUN |
|
| This is the hardiest species in the genus Bambusa. It makes a dense hedge or a good windbreak,with many branches at each node. It is also used for weaving and as binder material for papermaking. Sometimes it is used as an ornamental plant near temples. Can grow in wet places better than most bamboos. |
| ALPHONSE KARR Bambusa multiplex 'Alphonse Karr' |
|
| HEDGE |
Origin: CHINA |
|
| Up to 25' tall x 1 1/2" dia. |
Hardy to 12`F FULL SUN |
|
| The most colorful member of the multiplex group with yellow culms striped with dark green. The new shoots are bright pink and the color is retained on the base of new culms. Grown as an ornamental plant or privacy screen. |
| GREEN ALPHONSE KARR Bambusa multiplex 'Green Alphonse Karr' |
|
| HEDGE |
Origin: CHINA |
RARE |
| Up to 25' tall x 1 1/2" dia. |
Hardy to 12`F FULL SUN |
|
| Same as Alphonse Karr but the culms remain green. Seems to grow larger than the typs.Grown as an ornamental plant or privacy screen. |
| RAINBOW ALPHONSE KARR Bambusa multiplex 'Rainbow Alphonse Karr' |
|
| HEDGE |
Origin: CHINA |
RARE |
| Up to 25' tall x 1 1/2" dia. |
Hardy to 12`F FULL SUN |
|
| A form of Alphonse Karr with both green and yellow/green striped culms on the same plant. Grown as an ornamental plant or privacy screen. Some shoots are pink and some are green. |
| FERN LEAF BAMBOO Bambusa multiplex 'Fern Leaf' |
|
| ORNAMENTAL, HEDGE |
Origin: cultivation in southeast ASIA |
|
| Up to 20' tall x 1/2" dia. |
Hardy to 12`F SUN TO PART SHADE |
|
| An attractive form of Hedge Bamboo. Delicate looking with 10 to 20 closely spaced, two-ranked leaves, giving a fernlike appearance. Looks like a tall green fountain. |
| GOLDEN GODDESS BAMBOO Bambusa multiplex 'Golden Goddess' |
|
| ORNAMENTAL, HEDGE |
Origin: cultivation in southeast ASIA |
|
| Up to 10' tall x 1/2" dia. |
Hardy to 12`F SUN TO PART SHADE |
|
| An attractive dwarf form of Hedge Bamboo with small, delicate foliage, similar in appearance to Fern Leaf Bamboo, The canes turn a golden yellow in the sun.
|
| CHINESE GODDESS BAMBOO Bambusa multiplex riviereorum |
|
| ORNAMENTAL, HEDGE |
Origin: cultivation in southeast ASIA |
|
| Up to 6' tall x 1/3" dia. |
Hardy to 12`F SUN TO PART SHADE |
|
| An attractive dwarf form of Hedge Bamboo with small, delicate foliage, similar in appearance to Fern Leaf Bamboo, but much shorter. Culms are solid. |
| SILVERSTRIPE HEDGE BAMBOO Bambusa multiplex 'silverstripe' |
|
| HEDGE |
Origin: CHINA |
|
| Up to 25' tall x 1 1/2" dia. |
Hardy to 12`F FULL SUN |
|
| This is the largest form of multiplex. It makes a dense hedge, a good windbreak and is used by some flutemakers for instruments. It has silver variegations on the leaves and occasionally on large culms. |
| THAI HEDGE BAMBOO Bambusa multiplex 'Thai Hedge' |
|
| HEDGE |
Origin: THAILAND, BURMA |
RARE |
| Up to 50' tall x 4" dia. |
Hardy to 15`F (limit unknown) FULL SUN |
|
| A beautiful, shrubby bamboo with slender, arching, thin-walled culms. It makes an excellent hedge or privacy screen. It is used in Thailand for mats, trays, baskets, and other light construction and craftwork. |
| TINY FERN BAMBOO Bambusa multiplex 'Tiny Fern' |
|
| ORNAMENTAL |
Origin: cultivation in southeast ASIA |
|
| Up to 3' tall x 1/8" dia. |
Hardy to 12`F SUN TO PART SHADE |
|
| The smallest form of Hedge Bamboo in cultivation. Delicate looking with leaves often under an inch long. Very attractive. Makes a nice potted specimen on the patio. |
| PURPLE STREAK BAMBOO Bambusa mutabilis |
|
| ORNAMENTAL |
Origin: Hainan Island, CHINA |
RARE |
| Up to 40' x 2 1/3 " |
Hardy to 15`F FULL SUN |
|
| Erect, thin- walled species similar to Bambusa textilis. It has long internodes with a white bloom near the nodes, sometimes marked with purple streaks. The bottom two nodes are surrounded by a ring of silky greyish hairs. The poles are straight and useful. |
| NODDING BAMBOO Bambusa nutans |
|
| TIMBER |
Origin: INDIA, NEPAL & the lower HIMALAYAS |
RARE |
| Up to 40' tall x 3" dia. |
Hardy to 25`F FULL SUN |
SHOOTS BITTER |
| A graceful bamboo with very strong culms highly prized for all construction purposes. The wood is natually resistant to termite attack. It is drought tolerant, sometimes dropping its leaves without harm to the plant. |
| GIANT TIMBER BAMBOO Bambusa oldhamii |
|
| TALL HEDGE |
Origin: CHINA |
|
| Up to 55' tall x 4" dia. |
Hardy to 15`F FULL SUN |
SHOOTS DELICIOUS |
| A large bamboo with straight, erect, thick-walled culms useful for furniture construction. It makes a great hedge or windbreak and is grown commercially for its sweet shoots. |
| PACHI BAMBOO Bambusa pachinensis |
|
| LANDSCAPE |
Origin: TAIWAN |
RARE |
| Up to 33' x 2 1/2" |
Hardy to 20`F FULL SUN |
|
| An attractive bamboo with straight, hard poles often used for a windbreak. The lower part of the culm is free of branches. The leaves are short and wide giving it a distinctive look. |
| SUNBURST BAMBOO Bambusa pervariabilis viridistriatus |
|
| ORNAMENTAL |
Origin: CHINA |
RARE |
| Up to 33' x 2.4" |
Hardy to 25`F (or possibly lower) |
|
| A very beautiful bamboo with strong, useful poles. The new shoots are yellow with green stripes with peach and pink tones maturing to yellow-gold with dark-green stripes of varying width. The poles are strong and durable and use for punting poles, frames and tools in China. Shavings of the inner culm cortex are use to treat a number of diseases. |
| PHAI-HOM BAMBOO Bambusa polymorpha |
|
| ORNAMENTAL |
Origin: INDIA, THAILAND, BURMA |
VERY RARE |
| Up to 65' x 6" |
Hardy to 22`F FULL SUN |
|
| A large, strong bamboo much used for house construction and also prized for its beauty. The leaves are large and held upright. Culms are covered with a fine greyish-white hair giving it a silky feel. In Burma it is considered the best bamboo for floors, roofs and walls. It is one of the top ten bamboos grown for construction in Indonesia, and is also grown as a landscape feature. |
| CHINESE THORNY BAMBOO Bambusa sinospinosa |
|
| BARRIER |
Origin: CHINA |
RARE |
| Up to 70' tall x 5" dia. |
Hardy to 20`F FULL SUN |
|
| A handsome bamboo, with small, delicate leaves. It is armed with formidable thorns, making an impenetrable barrier around the base of the plant. Makes a great tall hedge. |
| HYBRID THORNY BAMBOO Bambusa pachinensis X B.sinospinosa |
|
| BARRIER |
Origin: Hybridized in CALIFORNIA from two species from CHINA. |
VERY RARE |
| MAXIMUM SIZE UNKNOWN |
Hardy to 20`F FULL SUN |
|
| A beautiful, spiny bamboo which will probably be a giant. It is very fast growing and makes an impenetrable hedge. The foliage is very attractive with short, wide, strongly tapered leaves. It has the genetic potential to have 70' tall, construction-grade poles. |
| WEAVER'S BAMBOO Bambusa textilis |
|
| ORNAMENTAL, POLES |
Origin: CHINA |
|
| Up to 40' tall x 2" dia. |
Hardy to 13`F FULL SUN |
|
| One of the most attractive bamboos, with slender, gracefully arching culms. The lower nodes are naturally free of branches. The culms are thin-walled but very strong and of superior quality for furniture. It has long internodes useful for flutemaking. |
| SILK BAMBOO Bambusa textilis glabra |
|
| ORNAMENTAL |
Origin: CHINA |
RARE |
| Up to 30' tall x 1 1/4" dia. |
Hardy to 13`F FULL SUN |
|
| A slender form of Weaver's similar to gracilis but with glabrous culms and culm sheaths. An outstanding ornamental plant. It has long internodes and is good for flute-making. |
| GRACEFUL BAMBOO Bambusa textilis gracilis |
|
| ORNAMENTAL |
Origin: CHINA |
RARE |
| Up to 30' tall x 1 1/4" dia. |
Hardy to 13`F FULL SUN |
|
| One of the most attractive bamboos, with slender, gracefully arching culms. The lower nodes are naturally free of branches. The culms are thin-walled but very strong and of superior quality for splitting and weaving. It has long internodes and is good for flute-making. Very rare in the U.S. |
| GIANT WEAVER'S BAMBOO Bambusa textilis 'Kanapaha' |
|
| ORNAMENTAL, POLES |
Origin: CHINA |
VERY RARE |
| Up to 50' tall x 2 ½ " dia. |
Hardy to 13`F FULL SUN |
|
| Like regular Weaver's but much larger. Lower half of culms has no branches and is prominently blue in mature groves. Culms are straight and very strong. |
| STRIPED TULDA BAMBOO Bambusa tulda striata |
|
| POLES, ORNAMENTAL |
Origin: INDIA, BURMA, BANGLADESH, THAILAND |
RARE |
| Up to 70' x 4" dia. |
Hardy to 25`F FULL SUN |
|
| A useful, large, straight bamboo with occasional stripes near the base. The lower portion of the culms is frequently solid. This bamboo is used for heavy construction such as bridges and houses especially in Bangladesh. It is also quite beautiful with large leaves. |
| PUNTING POLE BAMBOO Bambusa tuldoides |
|
| POLES |
Origin: CHINA |
|
| Up to 55' tall x 2 1/4" dia. |
Hardy to 15`F FULL SUN |
|
| An excellent bamboo. Very attractive as a specimen plant, with strong, thick-walled culms useful for construction. The culm cortex is used to treat febrile diseases and bleeding disorders. Makes a great windbreak. Drought tolerant. Used for scaffolding and formerly for pole vaulting. |
| GIANT PUNTING POLE BAMBOO Bambusa tuldoides 'Clone X' |
|
| POLES |
Origin: CHINA |
VERY RARE |
| Up to 75' tall x 2.8" dia. |
Hardy to 15`F FULL SUN |
|
| A very vigorous form of Punting Pole bamboo which gets much larger than the normal type. The poles are extremely thick and strong. There is an ivory nodal band and the culms are thinly covered with white powder. It tends to grow zig-zag at first much like B. t. ventricosa. |
| BLUE PUNTING POLE BAMBOO Bambusa tuldoides 'Blue Powder' |
|
| POLES, ORNAMENTAL |
Origin: CHINA |
VERY RARE |
| Up to 55' tall x 2 1/4" dia. |
Hardy to 15`F FULL SUN |
|
| Differs from normal Punting Pole by having whitish powder on a dark green culm giving new culms a powder blue appearance. Very attractive as a specimen plant, with strong, thick-walled culms useful for construction. Drought tolerant. |
| BUDDHA'S BELLY BAMBOO Bambusa tuldoides ventricosa |
|
| ORNAMENTAL |
Origin: CHINA |
|
| Up to 55' tall x 2 1/4" dia. |
Hardy to 15'F FULL SUN |
|
| A bamboo prized for its swollen internodes and exotic look. The culms and branches are zigzag. It is very drought tolerant and needs less water than most bamboos. |
| HYBRID EDIBLE BAMBOO Bambusa tuldoides X B. edulis |
|
| POLES |
Origin: Hybridized in California from two Chinese species. |
RARE |
| MAXIMUM SIZE UNKNOWN |
Hardy to below 19`F (limit unknown) FULL SUN |
|
| An attractive bamboo, extremely rare, with strong culms useful for construction. It has the genetic potential for edible shoots and good resistance to cold and drought. |
| JADE STRIPE BAMBOO Bambusa vulgaris vittata |
|
| ORNAMENTAL |
Origin: Unknown (PAN-TROPICAL) |
|
| Up to 50' tall x 4" dia. |
Hardy to 25`F FULL SUN |
SHOOTS EDIBLE |
| One of the most beautiful giant bamboos. The culms are bright yellow with random jade green stripes seemingly brush-stroked on. The poles are useful and of good size. The classic striped bamboo. |
| WAMIN BAMBOO Bambusa vulgaris 'Wamin' |
|
| ORNAMENTAL |
Origin: CHINA |
RARE |
| Up to 16' tall x 3" dia. |
Hardy to 25`F FULL SUN |
|
| Highly sought as a landscape plant. The culms have swollen internodes and are wide and compact. One of the largest diameter bamboos for its height. |
| HIROSE (Hee-RO-see) BAMBOO Bambusa sp. aff. oldhamii 'Hirose' |
|
| LANDSCAPE |
Origin: UNKNOWN |
VERY RARE |
| Up to 90' tall x 5" dia. |
Hardy to 16`F FULL SUN |
SHOOTS EDIBLE |
| Very fast growing. Only known plants grow near Hilo, Hawai'i. Thought to have been brought from the Philippines. Forms a beautiful erect clump with excellent quality timber, much harder than Bambusa oldhamii. Retains a dark green color on leaves even in desert heat. Makes a great landscape plant. Very rare. |
| TINWA BAMBOO Cephalostachyum pergracile |
|
| LANDSCAPE, TIMBER |
Origin: BURMA, THAILAND |
RARE |
| Up to 30' tall x 2" diam. |
Hardy to 22`F FULL SUN |
SHOOTS DELICIOUS |
| A beautiful tropical bamboo with very large leaves and strong, thin-walled culms. The culms are often used for a vessel for cooking rice to give it a special flavor. It is remarkably tolerant of dry conditions and ranges in part with Dendrocalmus strictus. The poles are used for house construction, posts, shingles, splits for weaving and handicrafts and for paper pulp. |
| GIANT ROUGH BAMBOO Dendrocalamus asper |
|
| LANDSCAPE, TIMBER |
Origin: THAILAND, JAVA |
RARE |
| Up to 100' tall x 8" diam. |
Hardy to 23`F FULL SUN |
SHOOTS DELICIOUS |
| One of the largest bamboos in the world. It is used for construction of houses and bridges, water pipes, cooking pots,musical instruments and furniture. Its large size makes it of value as an ornamental plant. It is grown commercially for timber and for its sweet edible shoots. |
| BRANDIS' GIANT BAMBOO Dendrocalamus brandisii |
|
| LANDSCAPE, TIMBER |
Origin: INDIA, THAILAND, BURMA, S. CHINA |
RARE |
| Up to 120' tall x 8" diam. |
Hardy to 23`F FULL SUN |
SHOOTS EDIBLE |
| One of the world's tallest bamboos. Poles are used for construction, furniture, farm implements, baskets and handicrafts. The shoots are eaten as a vegetable in China and Thailand. |
| TROPICAL GIANT BAMBOO Dendrocalamus giganteus |
|
| LANDSCAPE, TIMBER |
Origin: THAILAND, INDONESIA |
RARE |
| Up to180' tall x 12" diam. |
Hardy to 25`F FULL SUN |
SHOOTS EDIBLE |
| The largest bamboo in the world, growing to 12" in diameter in northwest Bali. It is used for house construction, scaffolding, water pipes, buckets, boat masts and furniture. Its large size makes it of value as an ornamental plant. There are unconfirmed reports of this plant reaching 60 meters (nearly 200') in height. |
| HAMILTON'S GIANT BAMBOO Dendrocalamus hamiltonii |
|
| LANDSCAPE, TIMBER |
Origin: NE Himalayas, S. CHINA |
RARE |
| Up to 80' tall x 8" diam. |
Hardy to 23`F FULL SUN |
SHOOTS EDIBLE |
| A giant subtropical forest bamboo used for construction and for splitting and weaving. The shoots are edible and delicious. It is sometimes used to make floats for rafts. It is also an attractive landscape plant for warm locations. The leaves are wide and can be over a foot long. It arches attractively. |
| LAOTIAN WHITE BAMBOO Dendrocalamus jianshuiensis |
|
| ORNAMENTAL |
Origin: LAOS, CHINA |
RARE |
| Up to 60' x 5" |
Hardy to 20`F, SUN TO PART SHADE |
|
| A tall, arching bamboo similar in appearance to D. hamiltonii but with a white powder covering the culms. Leaves are large and wide and very attractive. Culms are strong and used for construction. Grows to 5000 ft. elevation so may be cold hardier than previously reported. |
| MEI-NUNG BAMBOO Dendrocalamus latiflorus 'Mei-nung' |
|
| TIMBER, ORNAMENTAL |
Origin: TAIWAN |
RARE |
| Up to 65' tall x 8" diam. |
Hardy to 25`F FULL SUN |
SHOOTS DELICIOUS |
| A useful bamboo of value for its timber, as an ornamental plant, and for its sweet edible shoots. It is light green with random dark green stripes. It is used for water pipes, light construction and to make rafts. The splits are used for weaving. |
| DWARF GIANT BAMBOO Dendrocalamus minor |
|
| ORNAMENTAL |
Origin: CHINA |
RARE |
| Up to 26' x 2 ¼" |
Hardy to 15`F, SUN TO PART SHADE |
|
| The perfect "Giant" bamboo for the small urban garden. A favorite landscape plant in California, it has large leaves and the tropical look yet it doesn't get tall enough to freak out the neighbors. The culms are thick walled, strong and useful wherever smaller poles are needed. It is possibly the hardiest member of the genus, unfazed even in the upper teens. |
| ANGEL MIST BAMBOO Dendrocalamus minor amoenus |
|
| ORNAMENTAL |
Origin: CHINA |
RARE |
| Up to 26' x 2 ¼" |
Hardy to 15`F, SUN TO PART SHADE |
|
| Similar to the normal type but with larger leaves and dark green stripes on a yellow to light-green culm. A plant much in demand by collectors and landscapers. |
| DR. SEUSS BAMBOO Dendrocalamus validus |
|
| ORNAMENTAL |
Origin: CHINA |
RARE |
| Up to 60' x 5" |
Hardy to 15`F (or lower), SUN TO PART SHADE |
|
| A giant bamboo with a wild look. This bamboo has tall, thick walled, dark green culms that arch gracefully in all directions. The leaves are large and prominent, the nodes convex and the internodes are concave in profile giving the plant the appearance of a bamboo as it might be drawn in a "Dr. Seuss" book. The culm sheaths are greenish purple-red or orange red. The poles are durable and used in construction or as carrying poles. It belongs to the subgenus Dendrocalamopsis and is thus related to Bambusa oldhamii, B. edulis, and B. beecheyana, so it may be much more cold tolerant than presently thought. |
| MALE BAMBOO Dendrocalamus strictus |
|
| CONSTRUCTION |
Origin: INDIA, BURMA & THAILAND |
|
| Up to 60' tall x 5" dia. |
Hardy to 19`F, FULL SUN |
|
| Perhaps the most commercially important bamboo in India. It has solid culms and is widely used for construction and paper pulp. It is one of the most drought tolerant bamboos. |
| BLACK CLIMBING BAMBOO Dinochloa scandens |
|
| ORNAMENTAL |
Origin: INDONESIA |
RARE |
| Up to 30' x ½” dia. |
Hardy to 25`F ( or lower), PART SHADE |
|
| As the name suggests, this is a scandent, or climbing bamboo. It has rough, black culms with a one-way grip, like shark skin, so that it can hang on to a tree without needing tendrils like most vines do. Small pieces of the wood can be used to file soft materials. It grows in dense, impenetrable thickets as a pioneer plant in Java and Sumatra but in the home it can hang in a pot and grow like a "Wandering Jew". The attractive leaves are short, wide and oval shaped. |
| FIELD BAMBOO Gigantochloa albociliata |
|
| FURNITURE BUILDING |
Origin: THAILAND, BURMA |
RARE |
| Up to 30' tall x 2" dia |
Hardy to 30`F (survived 19`F for short periods) PART SHADE |
EDIBLE SHOOTS |
| A tight clumping bamboo with straight, hard poles used for making furniture, fences, and farm implements. It is also split for weaving. The culms are light gray-green with occasional white stripes on the larger ones. |
| STRING BAMBOO (PRING TALI) Gigantochloa apus |
|
| FURNITURE, WEAVING |
Origin: INDONESIA |
RARE |
| Up to 65' tall x 4" diam. |
Hardy to 27`F, FULL SUN |
|
| A very useful bamboo common in Java. It is used for utensils, furniture, rope, string, basketry and for the construction of roofing, walls, scaffolding and bridges. Can be very finely split for weaving. |
| TROPICAL BLACK BAMBOO Gigantochloa atroviolacea |
|
| MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS, FURNITURE, ORNAMENTAL |
Origin: JAVA, SUMATRA |
RARE |
| Up to 40' tall x 4" dia. |
Hardy to 25`F FULL SUN |
EDIBLE SHOOTS |
| One of the most beautiful bamboos, with purple-black culms having random lime-green stripes. The culm wall is thin but the wood is hard, so it is much in demand for making high-end furniture. It is also used to make traditional Indonesian musical instruments. |
| PRING LEGI BAMBOO Gigantochloa atter |
|
| MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS, FURNITURE, ORNAMENTAL |
Origin: INDONESIA |
RARE |
| Up to 100' tall x 4" dia. |
Hardy to 25`F FULL SUN |
EDIBLE SHOOTS |
| A spectacular bamboo with large, upright leaves and erect habit of growth. It is used in Java for construction of all kinds and also for making bamboo xylophone type instruments. It is relatively thin walled but very strong. The shoots are edible and delicious. |
| SUMATRAN GIANT BAMBOO Gigantochloa sp. 'Sumatra' |
|
| FURNITURE, ORNAMENTAL |
Origin: SUMATRA (INDONESIA) |
RARE |
| Up to 60'+ tall x 4" dia. |
Hardy to 25`F SUN/SHADE |
EDIBLE SHOOTS |
| A beautiful giant bamboo with purple stripes on dark green canes. The strong poles are used for construction. |
| CENTRAL AMERICAN THORNY BAMBOO Guadua amplexifolia |
|
| CONSTRUCTION |
Origin: S. MEXICO to COLOMBIA and VENEZUELA |
RARE |
| Up to 60' tall x 4" dia. |
Hardy to 28`F FULL SUN |
|
| A large, arching, thorny, timber bamboo used for construction. The base of the culm is solid. The wood is reported to be durable. One of the northernmost growing species of Guadua. Rare in the U.S. |
| STRIPED GIANT THORNY BAMBOO Guadua angustifolia bicolor |
|
| CONSTRUCTION |
Origin: COLOMBIA, ECUADOR |
RARE |
| Up to 100' tall x 8" dia. |
Hardy to 30`F, FULL SUN |
|
| A very useful timber bamboo used for house building in Colombia and Costa Rica. The plant is armed with wicked thorns and makes an impenetrable barrier. It is naturally resistant to insect and fungal damage. This is a very rare form with yellow stripes on the green culms. Should grow in Phoenix. |
| GIANT LESS-THORNY BAMBOO Guadua angustifolia 'less thorny' |
|
| CONSTRUCTION |
Origin: COLOMBIA, ECUADOR |
RARE |
| Up to 100' tall x 8" dia. |
Hardy to 30`F, FULL SUN |
|
| A very useful timber bamboo used for house building in Colombia and Costa Rica. The plant is armed with fewer wicked thorns but still makes an impenetrable barrier. It is naturally resistant to insect and fungal damage. Should grow in Phoenix. |
| CHACO GIANT THORNY BAMBOO Guadua chacoensis |
|
| CONSTRUCTION |
Origin: ARGENTINA |
RARE |
| Up to 85' tall x 7" dia. |
HARDINESS UNKNOWN, FULL SUN |
|
| A large,erect-growing, thorny, timber bamboo used for house construction. The wood is reported to be even more durable than G. angustifolia. Rare in the U.S. |
| VELVET THORNY BAMBOO Guadua velutina |
|
| CONSTRUCTION |
Origin: MEXICO |
RARE |
| Up to 50' tall x 4" dia. |
Hardy to 25`F FULL SUN |
|
| The northernmost species of Guadua, growing about 200 miles south of Brownsville, Texas. The wood is durable like most members of the genus and the plant is, also like the others, armed with sharp thorns. A plant in Tucson has survived brief exposures in the mid teens, albeit with significant damage to new growth. |
| HOUZEAU'S MEKONG BAMBOO Neohouzeaua mekongensis |
|
| ORNAMENTAL |
Origin: VIETNAM |
RARE |
| Up to 35' tall x 2" diam. |
Hardy to 24`F, SUN to PART SHADE |
|
| An attractive landscape plant with large, wide leaves and few lower branches. It makes a tight clump. Can be planted as a semi-scandent (climbing) understory. |
| REED BAMBOO Ochlandra stridula |
|
| HEDGE |
Origin: SRI LANKA |
RARE |
| Up to 18' tall x 3/4" dia. |
Hardy to 15`F (limit unknown), FULL SUN |
|
| A shrubby reed-like bamboo with large, dark-green leaves and oval culms. The plant is amphipodial, making a clump then running a short distance and making another clump. It is a great plant for erosion control or for a dense hedge. |
| POINTED BAMBOO Otatea acuminata acuminata |
|
| HEDGE |
Origin: EASTERN MEXICO |
RARE |
| Up to 15' tall x 0.7" dia. |
Hardy to 28`F, FULL SUN |
SHOOTS DELICIOUS |
| A small, delicate looking bamboo with narrow pointed leaves. The name refers to the seeds of the plant which are very sharply pointed. Like most bamboos, it rarely flowers. |
| MEXICAN WEEPING BAMBOO Otatea acuminata aztecorum |
|
| HEDGE |
Origin: SONORA, MEXICO |
|
| Up to 20' tall x 1 1/2" dia. |
Hardy to 16`F, FULL SUN |
SHOOTS DELICIOUS |
| One of the most attractive bamboos. It has long, narrow leaves that dance in the wind. It makes a beautiful hedge.The solid poles are useful for frames, supports or walking sticks. The tasty shoots are guarded by sheaths armed with sharp hairs. A native plant for Southwest landscaping. |
| MAYAN SILVER BAMBOO Otatea glauca |
|
| ORNAMENTAL |
Origin: CHIAPAS HIGHLANDS, MEXICO |
RARE |
| Maximum size unknown |
Hardiness unknown FULL SUN TO PART SHADE |
|
| A beautiful and little known bamboo from Central Mexico. It has larger leaves and thicker stems than the Mexican Weeping Bamboo. The canes are covered with a white powder which, against the dark green background, gives the plant a silvery look. Mature plants are stunningly beautiful. |
| FRINGED BAMBOO Otatea fimbriata |
|
| ORNAMENTAL |
Origin: MEXICO to NORTHERN COLOMBIA |
RARE |
| Up to 14' tall x 0.7" dia. |
Hardy to 24`F, FULL SUN TO PART SHADE |
|
| A pretty Central American bamboo with leaves up to a foot long and ¾" wide. The culms have a waxy, whitish coating which is very distinctive. The new shoots have a dark purple band at each node. |
Running Bamboos
| RIVER CANE Arundinaria gigantea gigantea |
|
| HEDGE |
Origin: UNITED STATES |
|
| Up to 20' x 1" diam. |
Hardy to -10`F, FULL SUN |
|
| The only North American species of bamboo. Useful poles. Good livestock forage. Makes an attractive landscape plant with long, dark leaves and persistant sheaths. Used to grow from southern Ohio to the Gulf of Mexico and from east Texas to the east coast. |
| SWITCH CANE Arundinaria gigantea tecta |
|
| HEDGE |
Origin: UNITED STATES |
|
| Up to 6' x 1/2" diam. |
Hardy to -10`F, FULL SUN |
|
| A smaller subspecies of the only North American bamboo. It has air channels in its rhizomes enabling it to tolerate wetter conditions than most bamboos. Small, useful poles. Good livestock forage. Makes an attractive landscape plant with long, dark leaves and persistant sheaths. |
| SQUARE BAMBOO Chimonobambusa quadrangularis |
|
| LANDSCAPE |
Origin: CHINA |
|
| Up to 25' tall x 1 1/2" dia. |
Hardy to 15` F PART SHADE |
|
| Unusual bamboo having square stems with rounded corners. Slow growing. Prominent nodes. |
| SHIROSHIMA BAMBOO Hibanobambusa tranquillans 'Shiroshima' |
|
| ORNAMENTAL |
Origin: JAPAN |
|
| Up to 16' tall x 1 1/3" dia. |
Hardy to 0`F SUN to PART SHADE |
|
| : Thought to be a natural hybrid between Sasa veitchii and Phyllostachys nigra henonis. A beautiful plant with dark green foliage striped with cream. The leaves are thick and leathery making the plant very drought tolerant. Makes a striking accent in the garden. Slow spreading. |
| LARGE LEAF BAMBOO Indocalamus tesselatus |
|
| ORNAMENTAL |
Origin: CHINA |
|
| Up to 7' tall x 1/2" dia. |
Hardy to 0`F SHADE to PART SUN |
|
| Usually grows to only 4' tall. This species has the largest leaves of any bamboo, measuring up to 26" long and 4" wide. Adapts well to growing in a pot. |
| INCENSE BAMBOO Phyllostachys atrovaginata ( = P. congesta ) |
|
| HEDGE |
Origin: CHINA |
|
| Up to 25' tall x 2 1/4" dia. |
Hardy to -15`F FULL SUN |
SHOOTS EDIBLE |
| A useful running bamboo with tight clumps of strong , useful poles. The shoots are delicious even when raw. Great for hedges, screens or windbreaks. |
| GOLDEN BAMBOO Phyllostachys aurea |
|
| HEDGE |
Origin: CHINA |
|
| Up to 30' tall x 2" dia. |
PART SHADE (DESERT), FULL SUN (MOUNTAINS) |
SHOOTS EDIBLE |
| Also called "Fishpole Bamboo", this is one of the most commonly seen bamboos in the U.S. It has strong wood with attractive, compacted internodes near the base of the culm. Quick spreading, it makes a good hedge or screen. Makes great walking sticks. |
| BICOLOR GOLDEN BAMBOO Phyllostachys aurea 'Flavescens inversa' |
|
| HEDGE |
Origin: CHINA |
|
| Up to 30' tall x 2" dia. |
Hardy to 0`F PART SHADE (DESERT), FULL SUN (MOUNTAINS) |
Shoots Edible |
| : Like Golden Bamboo except the canes turn yellow after 6 months but the grooves remain green. It has strong wood with attractive, compacted internodes near the base of the culm. Quick spreading, it makes a good hedge or screen. Makes great walking sticks. |
| GOLDEN GROOVE BAMBOO Phyllostachys aureosulcata |
|
| HEDGE |
Origin: CHINA |
|
| Up to 26' tall x 1 1/2" diam. |
Hardy to -10`F FULL SUN |
Shoots Edible |
| A beautiful, slender bamboo used for hedges, windbreaks, erosion control or as a landscape plant. Culms are green with a yellow groove. Occasional zig-zag culms. A very good performer under harsh desert conditions. |
| GREEN GROOVE BAMBOO Phyllostachys aureosulcata spectabilis |
|
| HEDGE |
Origin: CHINA |
RARE |
| Up to 26' tall x 1 1/2" diam. |
Hardy to -10`F FULL SUN |
|
| A beautiful, showy, slender bamboo used for hedges, windbreaks, erosion control or as an exceptional landscape plant. Culms are yellow with a green groove. Uncommon. |
| JAPANESE TIMBER BAMBOO Phyllostachys bambusoides |
|
| TIMBER |
Origin: JAPAN |
|
| Up to 72' tall x 5" diam. |
Hardy to 5`F, FULL SUN (MOUNTAINS) TO PART SHADE (DESERT) |
SHOOTS EDIBLE |
| A strong, useful bamboo used to make shakuhachi flutes. It is the most utilized bamboo in Japan. Culms are straight and thick walled. |
| CASTILLON BAMBOO Phyllostachys bambusoides 'Castillon' |
|
| ORNAMENTAL |
Origin: JAPAN |
|
| Up to 35' tall x 2" diam. |
Hardy to 5`F FULL SUN |
Shoots Edible |
| A beautiful form of madake, a strong, useful bamboo used to make shakuhachi flutes. The leaves are striped in yellow, and the culms are golden yellow with green grooves. An exceptional landscape plant. |
| JADE GROOVE BAMBOO Phyllostachys bambusoides 'Castillon Inversa' |
|
| ORNAMENTAL |
Origin: JAPAN |
RARE |
| Up to 35' tall x 2" diam. |
Hardy to 5`F, FULL SUN |
SHOOTS EDIBLE |
| A beautiful form of P. bambusoides. The leaves are striped in yellow, and the culms are green with yellow grooves. An exceptional landscape plant. |
| GLEAMING BAMBOO Phyllostachys glauca |
|
| ORNAMENTAL |
Origin: CHINA |
|
| Up to 32' tall x 2" diam. |
Hardy to 5`F, FULL SUN |
Shoots Edible |
| Young culms are covered with a bluish-white powder making this a very attractive plant. The poles are hard and useful as frame supports or farm tool handles. Strips are used for weaving. |
| WATER BAMBOO Phyllostachys heteroclada purpurata |
|
| ORNAMENTAL |
Origin: CHINA |
|
| Up to 33' tall x 1 ½" diam. |
Hardy to 0`F, FULL SUN |
SHOOTS EDIBLE |
| A slender bamboo with near-solid stems used for weaving or light construction. The shoots are edible and delicious. |
| MAKINO BAMBOO Phyllostachys makinoi |
|
| ORNAMENTAL, POLES |
Origin: CHINA |
|
| Up to 60' tall x 3" diam. |
Hardy to 0`F, FULL SUN |
SHOOTS EDIBLE |
| Similar to P. vivax but with much stronger wood, favored in Taiwan for splitting and weaving. The wood is said to be second only to Moso (among the running bamboos) for quality, strength and ease of splitting. The nodes are non-prominent and are encircled with a white band. Culms are whitish-green and covered with a bluish powder. |
| BEAUTIFUL BAMBOO Phyllostachys manni decora |
|
| ORNAMENTAL |
Origin: S. CHINA, N. INDIA, THAILAND |
|
| Up to 30' tall x 1 3/4" diam. |
Hardy to -5`F, FULL SUN |
SHOOTS EDIBLE |
| Considered one of the most attractive medium size running bamboos due to the graceful shape of the leaves. It is one of the best performing bamboos under cold, dry, windy or desert conditions. A good bamboo for Utah, Nevada and northern New Mexico and Arizona. |
| MEYER'S BAMBOO Phyllostachys meyerii |
|
| ORNAMENTAL |
Origin: CHINA |
|
| Up to 32' x 2" dia. |
Hardy to 0`F, FULL SUN |
SHOOTS EDIBLE |
| A medium-sized, green bamboo, similar in appearance to Golden Bamboo, but without having compacted internodes. Poles are useful for frames and craftwork. |
| BROOM BAMBOO Phyllostachys nidularia |
|
| ORNAMENTAL |
Origin: CHINA |
|
| Up to 33' tall x 1 1/2" diam. |
Hardy to 5`F FULL SUN |
SHOOTS DELICIOUS |
| Nodes are enlarged and convex making this an attractive landscape plant. The culms are thin walled and used for fences or walls of sheds. It also makes a good hedge. |
| BLACK BAMBOO Phyllostachys nigra |
|
| ORNAMENTAL |
Origin: CHINA |
|
| Up to 30' tall x 2" dia. |
Hardy to 0`F PART SHADE to FULL SUN |
SHOOTS EDIBLE |
| A beautiful bamboo with bright green leaves on culms that turn jet black after about one year. The wood is hard and used for making furniture. Grows largest in cooler climates. A very graceful plant. |
| LEOPARDSKIN BAMBOO Phyllostachys nigra boryana |
|
| LANDSCAPE |
Origin: CHINA |
|
| Up to 50' tall x 3" diam. |
Hardy to 0`F FULL SUN |
SHOOTS EDIBLE |
| A giant form of black bamboo which becomes blotched with a mosaic of brown and black. Makes a spectacular landscape plant. The straight, hard poles are useful and decorative. |
| CALIFORNIA BLACK BAMBOO Phyllostachys nigra 'Daikokuchiku' |
|
| LANDSCAPE |
Origin: Clone from California |
|
| Up to 57' tall x 3.3" diam. |
Hardy to 0`F FULL SUN |
SHOOTS EDIBLE |
| A clone of Black Bamboo with culms larger than the normal type and which are reported to turn black more quickly. |
| HENON BAMBOO Phyllostachys nigra henonis |
|
| LANDSCAPE |
Origin: CHINA |
|
| Up to 65' x 4 1/2" |
Hardy to 0`F FULL SUN |
SHOOTS EDIBLE |
| A fast growing, attractive bamboo with white powdery skin. The poles are quite strong and useful. The edible, new shoots are red and white. |
| GIANT BLACK BAMBOO Phyllostachys nigra punctata |
|
| LANDSCAPE |
Origin: CHINA |
RARE |
| Up to 60' x 4" |
Hardy to 0`F FULL SUN |
SHOOTS EDIBLE |
| The largest all-black bamboo. Culms develop spots in the first year, turn purple the second year and black the third year. |
| NUDE SHEATH BAMBOO Phyllostachys nuda |
|
| HEDGE |
Origin: CHINA |
|
| Up to 34' tall x 1 3/4" diam. |
Hardy to -20`F SUN/SHADE |
SHOOTS EDIBLE |
| The hardiest member of the genus. Culms and foliage remain dark green and new culms are powdery making this a very attractive landscape plant. |
| RED MARGIN BAMBOO (RUBRO) Phyllostachys rubromarginata |
|
| HEDGE |
Origin: CHINA |
|
| Up to 55' tall x 2 3/4" dia. |
Hardy to -5`F FULL SUN |
|
| A very drought resistant bamboo with good quality wood and edible shoots. Withstands harsh, cold, dry winds or desert heat equally well. Quick spreading and good for erosion control, even on steep slopes. Doesn't grow as tall in hot climates, making it a good hedge plant. |
| GREEN BAMBOO Phyllostachys viridis |
|
| LANDSCAPE |
Origin: CHINA |
|
| Up to 47' tall x 3 1/2" diam. |
Hardy to 0`F FULL SUN |
SHOOTS DELICIOUS |
| A large, beautiful landscape plant with high quality wood and tasty shoots. Culms remain green except where exposed to strong sun on the edge of the grove. The surface of the culm feels rough to the touch. |
| ROBERT YOUNG (GREENSTRIPE BAMBOO) Phyllostachys viridis 'Robert Young' |
|
| LANDSCAPE |
Origin: CHINA |
|
| Up to 40' tall x 3 1/2" diam. |
Hardy to 0`F FULL SUN |
SHOOTS DELICIOUS |
| A large, beautiful landscape plant with high quality wood and tasty shoots. The culms turn bright yellow streaked at random by vertical green stripes of varying width. Very drought tolerant. |
| ELEGANT BAMBOO Phyllostachys vivax |
|
| GIANT |
Origin: CHINA |
|
| Up to 70' tall x 5" dia. |
Hardy to -5`F FULL SUN |
SHOOTS DELICIOUS |
| A graceful, giant bamboo with thin-walled culms that dance in the wind. Makes a wonderful shady grove when mature. Thrives under dry conditions with alkaline soils and hard water. Can be used to make musical instruments. Perhaps the best running bamboo in the desert. |
| STRIPED ELEGANT BAMBOO Phyllostachys vivax aureocaulis |
|
| GIANT |
Origin: CHINA |
RARE |
| Up to 70' tall x 5" dia. |
Hardy to -5`F FULL SUN |
SHOOTS DELICIOUS |
| Similar to regular form but culms are yellow with dark-green stripes. Makes a wonderful shady grove when mature. Thrives under dry conditions with alkaline soils and hard water. Can be used to make musical instruments. Perhaps the best running bamboo in the desert. |
| KIMM'S VARIEGATED BAMBOO Pleioblastus chino 'Kimmei' |
|
| ORNAMENTAL |
Origin: JAPAN |
|
| Up to 10' tall x .08" diam. |
Hardy to 10`F, SHADE |
SHOOTS EDIBLE |
| : A small, attractive bamboo with long, dark, narrow leaves with occasional yellow stripes. The culms are yellow with a green groove tinged with pink. Suitable for a small planter or patio space. |
| GRASS BAMBOO Pleioblastus gramineus |
|
| ORNAMENTAL |
Origin: JAPAN |
|
| Up to 15' tall x 5/8" diam. |
Hardy to 10`F PART SHADE |
Shoots Not Edible |
| A small, pretty bamboo with long, narrow, grass-like leaves. Grown as a hedgerow in England. The shoots are bitter and not edible. |
| MEDAKE BAMBOO Pleioblastus simonii |
|
| ORNAMENTAL |
Origin: JAPAN |
|
| Up to 20' tall x 1 1/2" diam. |
Hardy to 0`F PART SHADE |
SHOOTS EDIBLE |
| A medium sized bamboo with straight poles used for making fishing poles, cages and fans. Somewhat slow spreading. Can be grown in a container. |
| ARROW BAMBOO Pseudosasa japonica |
|
| ORNAMENTAL |
Origin: JAPAN |
|
| Up to 18' tall x 3/4" dia. |
Hardy to 0`F HALF SHADE |
|
| An attractive, slow-running bamboo with large leaves up to a foot long. The culms were used to make arrows in ancient Japan. Spreads very slowly compared to other runners. |
| GREEN ONION BAMBOO Pseudosasa japonica tsutsumiana |
|
| ORNAMENTAL |
Origin: JAPAN |
|
| Up to 18' tall x 3/4" dia. |
Hardy to 0`F HALF SHADE |
|
| : An attractive, slow-running bamboo with large leaves up to a foot long. The internodes are partly swollen, resembling the shape of a green onion. Spreads very slowly compared to other runners. |
| QIONG ZHU BAMBOO Qiongzhuea tumidinoda |
|
| ORNAMENTAL |
Origin: CHINA |
RARE |
| Up to 20' tall x 1 1/3" dia. |
Hardy to 10` F PART SHADE |
SHOOTS DELICIOUS |
| Unusual bamboo having narrow, delicate leaves and large, inflated nodes. It is famous for making walking sticks. A very rare plant. |
| PALM BAMBOO Sasa palmata |
|
| ORNAMENTAL |
Origin: JAPAN |
|
| Up to 7' x 1/2" dia. |
Hardy to -5`F SHADE |
|
| An attractive dwarf bamboo with thick, leathery leaves up to 15" long and 2 1/2" wide. It prefers a shady environment and grows tallest in a cool climate. Tolerates desert heat. |
| DWARF CREAM-STRIPE BAMBOO Sasaella masamuniana albostriata |
|
| ORNAMENTAL |
Origin: JAPAN |
|
| Up to 6" x 0.3" dia. |
Hardy to 0`F PART SHADE |
|
| A variegated groundcover bamboo with green leaves striped heavily with cream. The leaves are thick enabling it to perform better in hot climates than some of the other groundcover bamboos. |
| RED TEMPLE BAMBOO Semiarundinaria fastuosa |
|
| ORNAMENTAL |
Origin: JAPAN |
|
| Up to 30' tall x 1 1/2" dia. |
Hardy to -5`F FULL SUN |
SHOOTS EDIBLE |
| : Also called "Stately Bamboo" due to its erect growth habit. Extremely drought tolerant. Slow to spread. Makes a good windbreak and tolerates a sea breeze. The culms turn red-orange in sun. |
| GREEN TEMPLE BAMBOO Semiarundinaria fastuosa viridis |
|
| ORNAMENTAL |
Origin: JAPAN |
|
| Up to 30' tall x 1 1/2" dia. |
Hardy to -5`F FULL SUN |
SHOOTS EDIBLE |
| Also called "Stately Bamboo" due to its erect growth habit. Extremely drought tolerant. Slow to spread. Makes a good windbreak and tolerates a sea breeze. The culms remain green even in sun. |
| GREEN-STRIPE TEMPLE Semiarundinaria yashadake |
|
| ORNAMENTAL |
Origin: JAPAN |
|
| Up to 25' tall x 1 1/2" dia. |
Hardy to 0°F FULL SUN |
|
| Similar to the Temple bamboos but with wider leaves. Culms turn red when exposed to sun. |
| GREEN-STRIPE TEMPLE BAMBOO Semiarundinaria yashadake 'Kimmei |
|
| ORNAMENTAL |
Origin: JAPAN |
|
| Up to 25' tall x 1 1/2" dia. |
Hardy to 0°F FULL SUN |
|
| Similar in appearance to Temple Bamboo with short, tufted branches and dense foliage but culms are yellow with green grooves on opposite sides. The leaves are striped with yellow. Very attractive. |
| DWARF GOLDSTRIPE Shibatea kumasaca aureostriata |
|
| ORNAMENTAL |
Origin: JAPAN |
|
| Up to 7' tall x 1/3" dia. |
Hardy to -5`F PART SHADE |
|
| A variegated groundcover bamboo with green leaves striped heavily with cream or gold. Suitable for borders, planters or shady windowboxes. |
| GIANT TEMPLE BAMBOO Sinobambusa gigantea |
|
| ORNAMENTAL |
Origin: CHINA |
RARE |
| Up to 55' tall x 4" dia. |
Hardy to 10`F FULL SUN TO PART SHADE |
|
| : A tall, erect, graceful bamboo with a beautiful band of long, purple hairs around each node on new shoots. It is quick spreading and good for erosion control. Culms are solid. |
| SHRINE BAMBOO Sinobambusa intermedia |
|
| ORNAMENTAL |
Origin: CHINA |
RARE |
| Up to 16' tall x 1" dia. |
Hardy to 10`F SUN TO PART SHADE |
|
| A short attractive bamboo with internodes up to 2 feet long. Culms aer rough to the touch and nearly solid. Slow growing. |
| STRIPED TEMPLE BAMBOO Sinobambusa tootsik albostriata |
|
| ORNAMENTAL |
Origin: CHINA |
RARE |
| Up to 32' tall x 1 ½" dia. |
Hardy to 10`F SUN TO PART SHADE |
|
| A beautiful bamboo with a very elegant way of holding its leaves. The leaves are heavily variegated with cream or white. Slow spreading at first but vigorous once established. |
Other Plants
| SUGAR CANE Saccharum sp. |
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Origin: PAN TROPICAL |
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Hardy to mid 20's SUN |
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| A favorite among chidren all over. This is the real McCoy, and it's easy to grow. |
| DAYFLOWER Commelina erecta |
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Origin: |
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| - An Asian plant long naturalized in the U.S. commonly seen growing along roadways and moist meadows in southwest mountains in the rainy season. Beautiful blue flowers bloom in the morning. Sun or shade. Flowers persist longer if grown in the shade. Perennial. |
| NACAPULE JASMINE Vallesia baileyana |
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| FRAGRANT HEDGE |
Origin: |
RARE |
| Up to 12' tall |
Hardy to below 19`F FULL SUN TO PART SHADE |
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| This rare plant is found in three canyons in southern Sonora. The fragrance is incredibly sweet. Vallesia has small, white flowers which are produced all summer long. |
| LEMON GRASS Cymbopogon citratus |
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| COOKING |
Origin: PAN TROPICAL |
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| 3' TALL |
Hardy to 18`F FULL SUN |
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| Much used for cooking in Southeast Asia especially Thailand and Indonesia. All parts of the plant contain real lemon bioflavonoids as found in citrus lemon. This plant is also the source of citronella, used widely to repel mosquitoes. |
| MEXICAN FAN PALM Washingtonia robusta |
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Origin: N. MEXICO, SE ARIZONA |
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| Up to 80' tall with 10-15' spread |
Hardy to 18`F FULL SUN |
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| A cold-hardy palm commonly grown as a landscape plant in Tucson and Phoenix. The large, fan shaped leaves make good thatching for ramadas. |
This list contains most of the species currently in cultivation at the Bamboo Ranch. Each entry includes:
Botanical name, Common name, Uses, Country(ies) of Origin, Rarity, Maximum Size, Minimum temperature (before foliar damage), Sun / Shade, Edibility, and a short Description of the plant. It should be noted that a bamboo grown outside of its natural habitat may not grow to the maximum size listed. Site conditions, weather, soil type, watering schedule, grove management and numerous other factors determine the ultimate size of a mature grove. Temperatures listed represent the lower limit for leaf damage in Tucson, Arizona. In other locales with longer exposures to cold, plants may be damaged more severely. Species selection, site selection and grove management can minimize problems from winter temperatures. Sun tolerance is based on the performance of mature groves. Small plants may need to be shaded or treated with antitranspirants when first planted in full sun to prevent sunburn when planting in hot weather or low humidity. This shade could be provided by existing vegetation or buildings. When plants are big enough to shade themselves, additional shade isn't necessary.
Call (520) 743-9879 or email: bambooranch@juno.com
