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Phyllostachys
(mid sized bamboo)
These are strong, resilient, and generally
fast-spreading bamboos which can withstand the heat, cold, and drought that we
encounter in our vast and varied climate within the United States.
Thick, woody canes (1-2 inches in diameter) with
lush, evergreen canopies. Ideal for decorative privacy screens.
continue reading... Each picture is a link to larger pictures and a plant description page |
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The genus Phyllostachys is the most familiar among bamboos found in
the temperate world. Most species are native to middle to eastern China and
Japan. It includes a great range of sizes; P. aurea ‘Koi’ barely reaching 20 feet, to P. edulis “Moso” which can grow over 70 feet tall.
Phyllostachys also boasts some of the most prolific bamboos,
such as P. aureosulcata “Yellow Groove”
and P. heteroclada “Water Bamboo.” These are strong, resilient,
and generally fast-spreading bamboos which can withstand the heat, cold, and
drought that we encounter in our vast and varied climate within the United
States and Canada. Phyllostachys
are what many consider to be the
classic bamboo –a giant grass capable of forming beautiful, open groves.
Distinctive characteristics include impressively tall, robust culms with a pair
of branches at each node, and a sulcus (an indentation in the side of the culm
above the branches). Not only are they effective, fast-growing privacy screens;
they also have great ornamental value. Phyllostachys come in a number of culm colors, butterscotch
gold, black, light and dark green, lemon yellow sometimes with a red blush in
the spring, and green culms which are often covered with an attractive bluish
waxy coating in the spring. Some species, such as P. aureosulcata ‘Spectabilis’, create a striking color
contrast between bright yellow culms and a dark green sulcus.
Controlling the spread of bamboo is a matter of regularly pruning the extending rhizomes. Support roots, differing from the rhizomes, anchor the tall culms to the earth and can reach depths of over two feet, providing sturdy resistance to wind, snow, and ice. The common P. aurea “Golden Bamboo”, and P. aureosulcata “Yellow Groove”, among others, have contributed to bamboo hype (and a few horror stories). Running bamboo requires regular maintenance, and a neglected bamboo can sometimes get “out of control”. Such situations are usually the result of lack of knowledge regarding effective bamboo maintenance . One of Bamboo Garden’s most important goals is to educate and inform the public so that they understand how to tame bamboo and appreciate this peaceful giant for all of its endearing qualities. see Bamboo Care Phyllostachys are the most popular and sought after hardy bamboos in the United States. Their great utility, as well as their resounding charm, make them highly desirable. The full spectrum of bamboo uses –from paper to stir-fry, timber to surfboards, even using biomass pulp for producing electrical energy– remains largely untapped in the United States. As landscape plants, however, bamboo’s popularity is on the rise. The beauty of bamboo, as a solitary specimen, an evergreen privacy screen, or a real bamboo forest where one can stroll among towering culms, ensures that these bamboos will always be in demand. back to top |
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