BAMBOO - List of Hedging / Screening / Privacy Plants
This section lists the temperate bamboo plant species we are growing. Although
they are temperate, and many of the temperate bamboos do not grow well in
South Florida, we have been test-growing and selecting the species that
perform well in our climate. These species will, of course, be well-suited
for colder climates as well. They are all running bamboos with various
levels of aggressiveness and may require a method of containment to keep the
from spreading beyond your intended planting area. Most are ideal bamboos
for containers.
Bambusa vulgaris 'Wamin Striata' - Striped Buddha Belly Bamboo
A striated (and more rare) version of the popular Wamin Bamboo. The culms are a pale green color with irregular dark-green vertical stripes. The swollen internodes and overall form is the same as the standard Wamin.
12' - 15' with up to 3" dia. culms. Min. temp 27F. Min USDA zone: 9b. Click here to find zone.
Bambusa vulgaris 'Wamin' - Dwarf Buddha Belly Bamboo
A dwarf bamboo that is perfect by a pond but will fit just about any landscape. Swollen internodes are unusual and are sure to attract your visitors' attention. This bamboo could have been conjured up by Tim Burton or Dr. Seuss.
In Florida (and other warm, humid areas) this species is much more reliable and consistent in producing swollen internodes (bellies) than the first species given the name Buddha Belly Bamboo, Bambusa ventricosa (tuldoides).
*If this bamboo is too cold sensitive for your location, we have an exciting new import that may become a good substitute for sub-tropical areas down to USDA zone 8b. Bambusa tuldoides "Swollen Internode'.
12' - 15' with up to 3" dia. culms. Min. temp 27F. Min USDA zone 9b. Click here to find zone.
This is one of our 2012 imports into USDA quarantine. It will be test-grown at our nursery in 2013. The species grows naturally under the broad-leaved forest at elevations of 4000' - 5000' in Jinping of Yunnan China. In recent years, it has been introduced into other areas of Yunnan (at lower elevations) and is growing well. We were advised by our Chinese colleagues to test it in Florida.
Culms are purplish-brown or green when young, yellow, purple or red when mature, called the five-colored fragrant bamboo. Branches emerging high. Beautiful clumps are used for gardens, parks and bonsai.
It is described as growing to about 24' tall with up to 1.5" diameter culms. If the species adapts, we project it will attain only about half those dimensions at maturity in Florida, at sea level. It is cold-hardy to 20 degrees F. UPDATE March/2016: The test bamboos are growing nicely in the ground but struggle in containers. So far, there is only one color (green). We're hoping this changes as the bamboos mature in the sun.
Imported April/2012 into USDA quarantine, released to us in 2013. The first field specimen successfully completed its first full year and is thriving. We've planted five more (2014) for future propagation.
We are releasing 3 & 7 gallon plants for sale with the understanding that they may not grow as taxonomically described. In south Florida, the natural growing conditions seem to not be ideal to develop with the culm color transitions. The culms stay mostly green. Where originally collected in China, the bamboo was growing in clay soil in an arid climate at around 1200' altitude.
Min USDA zone: 9a. Click here to find zone.
Similar in appearance to Bambusa oldhamii. Can be used as an ornamental or as a privacy screen in the landscape. New (2012) introduction.
Listed under Dendrocalamopsis and Bambusa as synonyms of each other. It's predominately published under Dendrocalamopsis so, for now, that's how we're listing it.
Will grow to at least 40' tall with straight culms, 2" in diameter. (good for construction timber). Click here to find zone.
I first took note of this this bamboo in Hua'an, China, near the central east coast. It was collected and sent to USDA quarantine in mid-2012. The culms are very erect and smoky gray, similar to the temperate bamboo, P.nigra Henon.
Currently being test-grown in the fields at Tropical Bamboo Nursery. UPDATE 2022: Limited quantities now available in 3 gallon container.Click here to find zone.
This is a relatively small-growing species of Dendrocalamus from Yunnan, China and Myanmar. Leaves are very small and it may reach 30' tall - more likely 20' tall in South Florida. We are trialing this species as a trimmed hedge and the results, so far, are excellent. New import..Click here to find zone.
Limestone cliff bamboo from southern Thailand, culms arching, leaves small, grows well in normal garden soil.
This is a delicate, smaller bamboo with tiny leaves. It shouldn't exceed 10'-13' tall and will work well in containers or small spaces. It is related to Dendrocalamus elegans but differs in that the culms are not silver/grey and it grows to a slightly smaller mature size. The culms are mostly green with occasional black vertical marks. A beautiful ornamental bamboo.
Click here to find zone.
From Thailand, Malaysia, & Langkawi Island. Grows on limestone hills and cliffs - should perform well in the alkaline soil of South Florida.
This cultivar was isolated amongst seedlings by Dieter Ohrnberger (author, The Bamboos of the World) in Chiang Mai, Thailand. We transported a propagule to Kunming, China in the summer of 2012 where it was shipped to USDA quarantine. Has been test-growing at Tropical Bamboo Nursery with wonderful results.
This is a delicate, smaller bamboo with small leaves. It shouldn't exceed 15' tall and will work well in containers or small spaces. The thin culms are silver/grey and the thin, feathery foliage cascades beautifully. Click here to find zone.
The species Dendrocalamus giganteus is the largest-growing bamboo in our entire collection. Now we have a variety of the species with the added bonus of ornate, striped culms.
Ubon Imported from Ratchathani, Thailand in 2022, this bamboo was released from USDA quarantine in 2024. It is developing rapidly in our test field and the first propagules will be released for sale in mid-2025.
