We are test-growing this Chinese running bamboo. Green culms, glabrous, sheaths initially green, with purple ciliate edge, later turning brown. Densely covered with setae, sheath auricles narrow, with brown tomenta on surface, a few cilia on edge. Leaves lanceolate. Shoot period may-shoot delicious-a fine species for shoot production in summer.
Culm height 30', culm diameter 2 1/2" Click to find your zone.
For three years, we kept this little beauty in a shady, protected area of our test field. Three wasted years.
It was originally imported in 2014 from western China. Because of the genus and its high altitude home we were certain it would quickly die in our hot, humid summers so we picked the coolest area in our field. The bamboo survived but was never happy. In late 2019, we decided to move it to a bright, sunny area near our display garden. We were certain it would either thrive or die and we were pleasantly surprised when it quickly turned into a gorgeous little bamboo!
We've now discovered some published information on the species and have learned that it's endemic to southern Taiwan, not western China. No wonder it's at home in the South Florida sun. This is one of the articles:
Article with species details.
This will be one of the few, small tropical bamboos. Ours is about 4' tall and may eventually reach 10' in S.Florida. More likely 6'-7' tall at maturity. This bamboo will be perfect in containers as a patio bamboo, it will fit in small gardens, and it will work well along pathways or in the foreground of larger gardens. Full sun to part shade. Availability will be summer of 2020 as we've been panic-propagating since late 2019. 2022 UPDATE: Now available for sale, very limited stock. We don't yet know the cold hardiness but are guessing it will handle - high 20s F for short periods. Minimum USDA zone: 9a Click here to find zone.
A green culmed, small leafed bamboo. Originates from the Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory of Australia. Traditionally used by the Aboriginals for making didgeridoos and structures.
The new shoots are edible and have a very distinct lime green color - unlike any other bamboo.
Its growth habit is somewhat scruffy. Not often used as an ornamental landscape bamboo, but does produce very strong bamboo timber poles. Poles are reportedly resistant to termites that are plentiful in its native region.
More for the collector or timber grower.
Imported April/2011 into USDA quarantine and released to us in 2012.
Minimum USDA zone 10.
Click to find your zone.
Native to New Guinea, the Moluccas, and Sangihe Island. Often found on limestone. A thin-walled, tight clumping, reed-like shrub with large leaves/no low branching. About 5% of the leaves are variegated. Persistent culm sheaths create an ornamental effect. Grows 20' tall with 1" diameter culms. Minimum temp 30 degrees F. Minimum USDA zone: 9b.Click here to find zone.
A timber bamboo with large, outwardly-curving culms and edible shoots. This was once a very popular bamboo in the USA but people lost interest when, in the 1990s, all plants tested were discovered to be infected with BaMV. Our stock was Re-imported from China in 2012, quarantined/tested by the USDA/APHIS, and was released to us in 2013. It may be the only standard Bambusa beecheyana stock in the USA that is free of the Bamboo Mosaic Potax Virus (BaMV).
Culms generally arch and are covered with white powder and when young. Will grow to 65' tall with 5" diameter culms in Florida. Reported to be cold-hardy to 21 degrees F. Min USDA zone: 8b. Click here to find zone.
In India and Indonesia, a tall, thorny bamboo. It is used for construction, baskets, and edible shoots. At the base of the culms, wall thickness is mostly solid, especially in dry areas or poor soil. This bamboo species grows in humid or dry tropical areas along river banks, hill slopes, and freshwater creeks. It often occurs at low or moderate altitudes.
In South Florida, it seems to grow more bushy than tall. Makes a great thorny hedge to keep out unwanted wildlife or trespassers. Will grow to about 30' tall with 1" diameter culms. Min. temp. 28 deg F. Min USDA zone: 9b. Click here to find zone.
Just as the standard B.boniopsis has begun to surge in popularity, this striated version arrives in the USA. B.boniopsis has proven itself as one of the best options as a hedging/screening bamboo. Small leaves, vigorous growth, and dense branching adds up to a bamboo that can be trimmed and shaped into a well-groomed hedge. This new 'Yellowstripe' version adds a bit of extra pizzazz on the lower culms. It was collected in 2013 from the South China Botanic Garden, Guangzhou, and sent to USDA quarantine. In March/2015 it was released to us and is now growing in our test field.
Will grow to 20' tall with 1" diameter culms. Min. temp. 27 deg F. Min USDA zone: 9b.Click here to find zone.
I first took note of this species 15 years ago in the book 'A Compendium of Chinese Bamboo'. During one of several collection trips to China in 2012, it finally was sent to USDA quarantine. In March/2013, it was released to us and is now being test-grown at Tropical Bamboo Nursery & Gardens.
In South China, it grows in appearance like a dwarf combination of Bambusa chungii and Bambusa textilis gracilis. It averages 15' in height with thin, finger-sized culms. Used in china for weaving.
If it performs well in South Florida, we anticipate it will work well as a small privacy screen or a small-garden feature plant.
Cold-hardiness is unknown at this time but we're guessing it should handle temperatures in the range of the aforementioned B.chungii and B.textilis.
MIn USDA zone: 9a. Click here to find zone.
A stunning, mystical bamboo. Thin-walled culms are covered with persistent, dense white bloom, giving them a pale blue appearance. Slightly open clumper that will grow to at least 30' tall with 2" dia. culms. This rare Chinese import cleared U.S.D.A. quarantine in the 1990's. Also called Emperor's Blue Bamboo & White Bamboo.
Min. temp 21�F. Min USDA zone: 8b/9a. Click here to find zone.
A slightly smaller version of the amazing Bambusa chungii bamboo.
Same pale blue appearance but grows to about 3/4 the maximum size of the standard chungii. 25' tall with 1" culms. Perfect for smaller gardens.
Min. temp 21F. Min USDA zone: 8b/9a. Click here to find zone.
Bambusa chungii var. velutina - Velvet Chungii*New
Another importation success after initial failure. Like Bambusa oldhami f. striata, I first found this beautiful bamboo growing in Hua'an, China (2012) and attempted to import it via the USDA. That small propagule did not survive the stress of international travel. I revisited this area of China in 2018 and, once again attempted to import this unique form of Bambusa chungii. This time, we succeeded and the imported specimen has passed pathogen testing. It should be released to us from USDA quarantine by 2020. Once released to us, the single specimen will be allowed to develop in our test field for about two years to prove its viability in south Florida. If all goes well, we will begin propagation and, realistically, propagules should be available by 2022. The culms grow mostly covered in velvety tan/brown fur. Truly an exciting new introduction to the USA as an ornamental bamboo.
It seems to grow a bit smaller that the standard form of B.chungii - it will take time to confirm mature dimensions once planted at our nursery. (Likely) Up to 25' tall and 2" dia. culms. Min. temp 24�F. Min USDA zone: 9a.Click here to find zone.
Relatively small, upright bamboo, comparable to the smaller B.textilis cultivars. We have been test-growing this bamboo for several years and the projected maximum height is around 20'.
At first glance, it appears to be a type of B.textilis until you step back and notice the overall height is not as tall as expected. The culms are noticeably thicker with shorter internodes than a textilis at the same height. The culms are more compact, or contracted, hence the species name. When several are planted in a row, this species makes an excellent privacy screen. Spacing can be between 3'-5' apart, depending on the density wanted.
Min USDA zone: 9a. Click here to find zone.
A large, fast growing bamboo with long and plentiful lower branches. Not necessarily considered an ornamental bamboo - more functional.
If you need a large, dense, bushy screen, this one's for you.
Will grow to 50' with 3" dia. culms. Min. temp 18F. Min USDA zone: 9b. Click here to find zone.
This striped-culm variety of B.dolichoclada is a new introduction to the USA (2018). Yellow culms with green pinstripes. From Taiwan. Erect and tight-clumping. Will grow to at least 50' with 3+" diameter culms. Min. temp 21F. Min USDA zone: 9b. Click here to find zone.
Straight green culms with white powdery bloom. A new, spectacular tight clumping feature plant.
Imported April/2011 into USDA quarantine and was released to us in 2012.
Will grow to 35' tall, 2" diameter culms in Florida, and is reported to be hardy to 17 degrees F. Min USDA zone: 8b. Click here to find zone
