West County Oasis Bamboo Garden

West County Oasis
Bamboo Garden

This lovely bamboo will take the cold down to 20 degrees F. It is a nice low growing

bush type of bamboo that creates very dense canes and foliage. It has smokey green

leaves and occasional red canes if in full sun. It grows 8' tall in the San Francisco Bay area.

This bamboo is particularly desirable for harvesting cane. The high quality wood is

sought after for making fishing poles and stakes. It prefers hot, humid summers,

indirect light and makes a great garden plant.

A species native to North America from Tennessee and Kentucky, Macon is a more

upright species than other giganteas, evergreen and quite cold hardy.

Switch Cane and River Cane (Arundinaria gigantea) are both bamboos native to North America.

They are known to grow from New Jersey to Florida and as far west as Texas.

A species native to North America, this gem loves the river banks like it's name implies.

It grows from New Jersey to Florida and as far west as Texas. Switch cane (Arundinaria

tecta) is also native to the same areas.

A tropical species, best indoors in our climate here in the Bay Area. Light, fuzzy green

leaves and canes, it will grow to 20' tall with 2-3" diameter canes indoors.

Used for weaving and crafting, this is a particularly sought after bamboo. The new canes

have a heavy white powder coating giving them a blue tone. Canes grow to 2" in

diameter making a nice show piece.

This particular variety gets 1.5" in diameter and 12' tall. It has nice shiny, dense foliage.

The canes come up green and turn yellow over a six to twelve month period, showing

off green stripes a few months later. It's a great plant for a screen up over a fence or in

an isolated clump.

A similar species to 'Greenstripe' except more vigorous in growth. Tends to have very

dark green canes with white stripes that develop on the canes. Grows up to 18' tall in

the San Francisco Bay area. These two varieties can be pruned to desired height.

Similar to B. eutuldoides, but more susceptible to cold. It will take temperatures down

to 24 degrees F. It will create an open grove with may canes when well established.

This great plant grows up to 20' tall in the San Francisco Bay area. Its color is silvery

blue and tends to grow 2" in diameter. It is great for harvesting canes or eating the shoots.

This bamboo has the opposite cane coloring of B. multiplex 'Alphonse Karr'. It is very

rich and green, about 15' tall in the San Francisco Bay area.

The canes are golden with several green stripes. New canes have a pink to red hue.

Alphonse Karr grows 12' to 20' in California and shoots year round. It is a very popular

garden bamboo because of its beauty.

"Fernleaf" has narrow canes and 8-11 leaves on each branch, giving it a fern-like

appearance. It is great for hedges or miniature hedges. Unchecked, it will grow 12' in

the San Francisco Bay area, but it can be easily pruned with hedge trimmers like the

"Golden Goddess".

"Golden Goddess is similar to "Fernleaf", but the leaves are golden in color and the

canes will grow to 10' tall in the San Francisco Bay area.

Similar to Alphonse Karr, but a green cane with variegated leaves.

"Goldstripe" behaves similar to "Silverstripe". There are swags in the canes, with

alternating gold and green stripes.

Another choice that is excellent for low hedges and Bonsai projects.

Grows to 6 feet with tiny leaves on smaller canes.

'Midori' is similar to 'Alphonse Karr' except the canes are a pale lime color with dark

green stripes. It has very interesting coloration. The leaves are light green, about 3/4"

wide and 4.5" long. This clumper makes an excellent specimen plant or a nice hedge

because it grows quickly to 15' in the San Francisco Bay area.

This plant is named for it's small, grayish-green, pointed leaves which come in clusters.

It is a great choice for hedges under 3'. It is also an excellent choice for Bonsai.

Often referred to as Oldhamii, this is a timber bamboo, meaning it develops canes

with a large diameter. This elegant show piece truly does have giant, olive-green canes

that will burst from the ground up to 4" in diameter when the plant is mature. Oldhamii

is unusual in that it is a timber bamboo AND a clumper with new canes coming up close

to the mother plant. Native of southern China, it is now cultivated in other countries for

the tasty shoots. Oldhamii is an impressive contribution to the garden, creating a forest

of tree-like canes with large, long leaves.

This bamboo is more cold sensitive and does better in the milder climates like Berkeley,

or indoors. It has longer internodes than Alphonze Karr and the canes are more heavily

variegated, golden yellow with dark green stripes. To 20' tall in the Bay Area.

Called the Weaver's Bamboo because of the lack of prominent nodes and the strong,

pliable fibers used by artists. This is a handsome, upright, timber bamboo with a

clumping habit. It forms a tight column of thick, powdered blue-green canes, well

foliated at the top. This is an excellent choice for a tall screen or specimen plant.

A nice light-blue cane with shorter leaves than regular B. textilis. It grows to 16-20' in

the Bay Area. A very nice plant for a solid clumping hedge or an isolated specimen plant.

"Punting" in this case refers to propelling a small, flat-bottomed, river boat forward by

pushing against the river bottom with a "punting pole". Bambusa tuldoides has

especially thick, strong walls and was traditionally used as the punting pole of choice in

the Guangdong Province of China. A tight clumper, 30 to 55' tall.

A fabulous name for a fabulous plant. Buddha's Belly tends to have internodal swelling

that gives the appearance of a protruding belly on the canes. This belly is more likely to

appear when exposed to high temperatures in summer. Buddha's Belly has bright green

culms and is also a fine choice for bonsai.

Similar to Bambusa ventricosa "Buddha's Belly" except that the canes are yellow with

multiple green stripes. A particularly fine ornamental plant, the canes will also develop

the protruding bellies characteristic of the Buddha's Belly. This plant is also an

admirable choice for bonsai, but unchecked it will grow 25' in the Bay Area.

Striking dark green stripping on golden canes, this is particularly handsome ornamental

specimen for the garden.

This bamboo is also known as Arundinaria fargesii. It has dark green foliage which gets

to be an inch wide and 6-8" long. The canes are a handsome silvery gray. It has a

dense, upright growth habit making it an excellent clumping choice for a screen.

Similar to Borinda boliana, but grows in a tighter clump with larger blue-green foliage.

The powdery blue-green canes are very straight with a slight arch at the top.

Food for the Giant Panda and native to Sichuan, this is a precious species. This is a tight

clumper with small, delicate leaves for a soft look. New canes come up purplish and have a white

powdery coating. Also used for weaving crafts.

Borinda boliana is named for Gerald Bol, a dear friend and teacher to West County's

owner, Jesus Mora. This is an open clumper, with straight, upright, blue-green culms

about 6-9" apart. It grows 16' tall in the Bay Area. The foliage is composed of dense,

delicate, light green leaves which create a lovely vertical wall of light green canes

decorated with a lacy curtain of tiny leaves. This is a great visual screen and sound barrier.

Formerly known as Fargesia fungosa, the Chocolate Bamboo is so named because of

the delicious chocolate color the canes have when exposed to sun. This is a weeping

bamboo that makes a handsome center piece or screen. It has light green small foliage,

1/2" wide and 3 to 5" long in clusters.

Dark purple stems on this lovely plant make it an excellent specimen. Resistant to bamboo mites.

Also known as Arundinaria densiflora or Bashania densiflroa. Introduced into the US in

1986, not much is known about this plant. It has swollen nodes.

Similar to C. quadrangularis and C. marmorea but with leaves like Bashania fargesii.

Semi-square culms that are shiny deep red in spring. A good hedge or container plant.

Also known as "Marbled Bamboo" because new shoots are marbled cream and purple.

Masses of bright green leaves form on multiple, short branches. The plant prefers

afternoon shade. Hot afternoon sun will yellow the leaves. The culms will turn reddish

when the leaves are stripped, exposing the canes to warm morning sun. The proper

sun exposure this makes an attractive container plan, excellent for erosion control or

hedges. Grows 6 to 8' tall in the Bay Area.

Same as C. marmorea, but leaves have a fine white stripes.

This bamboo is similar to the Square bamboo, but with golden canes and green stripes.

A fine specimen plant, also can be grown as a container piece indoors with good care.

This plant is called "Square Bamboo" because the canes are square with rounded edges.

The canes have a sandpapery feel, with large nodes. It will grow in an upright form,

or if topped, an umbrella shape. The leaves have a graceful falling water look to them,

turning yellow in bright sun and dark green in shade. This plant will fair best under

cooler temperatures with good watering and can tolerate salty air, making it an

excellent coastal choice. Grows to 25' in the Bay Area.

The inverse of C. quadrangularis Suow; green canes with a yellow sulcus.

Used as a walking stick in Sichuan, this very unique bamboo widens significantly at the

nodes to look like the snake that swallowed several flying saucers. Green canes that age

to a deep wooden tan. Shoots are desirable for eating.

Called "delicates" because the coppery canes are fragile and the leaves are soft. Canes

in full sun will turn a rich burgundy brown. It is hardier than C. pallens, grows to 12' tall

and likes full sun.

The canes on this beauty change from light green in summer to burgundy colored in

winter. A delicate weeping leaf, with bright green culms. A fine specimen plant.

A popular clumper and an excellent choice for edible shoots. This plant went to seed in

2010. Our plants are from collected seed.

Collected by Jesus Mora and fellow collector Gib Cooper while they were in Cerro Gordo,

Mexico. This is a heavily weeping plant with delicate leaves that creates a lacey fountain

shape. To 15' tall and cold hardy to 20 degrees. Does best in half day sun.

From Mexico, the branches of this bamboo occur in whorls around the node, leaving the

branches heavy with foliage. The dark canes arch and weep under the heavy foliage

creating a lovely fountain-like appearance.

Multiple branches will develop at the nodes with heavy masses of dark green foliage

giving the plant a graceful weeping look. Can take a wide variety of temperatures; as

low as 10 degrees, as high as 100.

A solid stem bamboo, good for a hedge or specimen clump. Hardy and beautiful with

dark nodes and light green to yellow canes.

The bamboo is a native of Chile, grows 25' here in the Bay Area, with light green canes

that have black rings at the nodes. It makes a good stand by itself or as a hedge. It can

be easily pruned to any desired height. Gophers do not like this plant!

A sport of C. culeou 'Golden Straight Stem'. Erect canes and thin endings that cascade

at the top more than the regular C. culeou. It is very happy in mushy spots. It makes a

good artful screening plant.

A sport of a C. culeou growing here in our own Sonoma County, Jesus has named this

bamboo for the blue foliage so brilliant against contrasting yellow canes. Not to be

found anywhere else!

Bamboo comes in many forms. This one has long, flexible, trailing canes that will climb

and reach 40 feet. It can be grown on a trellis or arbor for romantic canopy. Best if not

crowded where the full effect of the plant can be viewed.

An outstanding ornamental selection with dense clumps of long slender branches and

very narrow, long leaves. It needs cooler summer temperatures and moderate winters

not below 20 degrees.

A new form of Chusquea and different from C. culeou "Breviglumis". Always green, more

open and taller with burgundy canes if exposed to full sun. Canes are 1-3/8" diameter,

25' tall. This plant has been confused with Chusquea culeou "Breviglumis" which is

shorter with many branches. This plant has an delightful airy look.

This is a particularly nice species, very dramatic in appearance with long arching canes

laced with fine foliage creating the appearance of a huge fountain. New shoots come up

with dark burgundy sheaths eventually falling away to reveal smooth, clean green canes

with slightly enlarge nodes. Grows to 15' tall in its home climate of Brazil. Does best in half-day sun.

A new plant, brought recently from Mexico. This is a trailing bamboo with long, thin

canes heavily decorated with foliage. The branches sway deeply under the weight of the

medium green leaves. Best in half day, bright sun.

A robust plant from steep areas of central America, this plant has an arching habit and

grows in dense stands. It has thorn-like protrusions on the lower nodes making it an

excellent barrier plant.

Possibly a dwarf form of C. culeou, it will only get 6 to 10' tall. Found near bogs and wet

areas, Nigricans likes wet soils. Looks best in acid soil. Very vertical growth, with

upright branches and foliage. Dark canes when exposed.

Named after a town in Mexico near the cloud forest where it was collected from. This

bamboo has small leaves and thin canes that have a vining and cascading habit.

Does best in climates with summer temperatures less than 100 degrees and winter

temperatures above 30 degrees. Prefers cooler night temperatures. Grows to 10' tall

and 1" in diameter. Although needing a more temperate climate, this bamboo is an

exquisite tropical looking bamboo. It has smoky green canes with long, hairy, feathery

foliage that shimmers in the sun, giving it an especially graceful appearance. Also a

great indoor plant.

Similar to C. valdiviensis with small leaves, graceful lines. Excellent next to ponds. Will

climb on trees without harming them, creating the look of a cascading waterfall.

A large scale climber, it will require room to grow and support. Vining canes will reach

up to 80', creating great curtains of foliage. A very hardy plant, handling temperatures

from 10 to 100 degrees. This is the largest of a very few bamboos that will grow new

culms from the nodes of existing canes as well as from the root.

Possibly the largest bamboo world wide. In its home land of India, Burma and Thailand,

it has been measured to be 115' tall and have 12" diameter canes. Leaves have been

measured 20" long. Shoots are edible, wood is used for paper, construction, boat masts,

furniture, buckets, water pitchers, vases, etc.

Similar to D. khasianum but has more delicate leaves and dark, smokey green canes. To

10' tall in the Bay Area. Nice isolated clump. Does best in afternoon shade.

Similar to Himalayacalamus hookerianus, but with blue-green canes. 12' tall in Northern

CA, with half inch diameter canes. Part shade, but will tolerate full sun.

A seedling of D. khasiani with a more delicate look and whispy, feathery foliage. More

tolerant of the environment then D. khasiani. This is a great ornamental clumber 10-12' tall.

One of our favorites for the waterfall like appearance. Many delicate weeping leaves

grace this clumper. Even light breezes moving the foliage create the look of falling

water. To 15' tall here in the Bay Area and prefers some shade.

Similar to F. murieliae with white powdery new shoots and soft green leaves. Grows

about 8' tall and prefers morning sun , afternoon shade. The more sun, the shorter the plant.

Similar to F. murielae, but with smaller foliage. Branches are relatively short, canes have

an arching habit. Prefers an environment with cooler nighttime temperatures and

protection from the hot afternoon sun.

Nice short hedge to 6' tall. Likes full sun, has light, clear green canes with bright green

leaves. Has the classic umbrella shape typical to Fargesia.

Similar to F. dracocephala except cane is light green-yellow.

A major food source for the Giant Panda, this Fargesia is a bit more sun tolerant and

shorter than most other Fargesia. Its red-brown canes shoot very early and grow to that

classic umbrella shape.

Named for Muriel, daughter of the famous British plant collector, Ernest Wilson, this

Fargesia is also a favorite of the Giant Panda. It is a particularly cold hardy species,

excellent for colder climates like the higher elevations of China it comes from but also

very successful here in the Bay Area. Called Umbrella Bamboo for the classic shape of

upright canes and weeping top laden with foliage.

Has the smallest leaves of the Fargesias, only ¼ inch wide and one inch long. Canes are

a powdered brownish red.

Similar to F. nitida, but takes more sun. Sun exposure also gives the powdered canes a

darker coloring.

Canes have a chocolate tone when exposed to sun or frosted green in more shade.

Prefers at least a half day of shade, but is extremely cold hardy. Grows about 10 feet in

the Bay Area, with a gentle arching habit.

Named for the fountain shape created by arching canes heavily loaded with leaves.

Canes are burgundy, foliage is small and delicate. Will get to about 12' in the Bay Area

and particularly cold hardy. This bamboo flowered in 2003 and plants available are from seed.

This strain of F. nitida likes the shade and water of canyons. In the shade it will be 8'

and require less water. Otherwise expect heights of 15' with good water. It does not do

well in full sun. Culms are dark purple.

A newer cultivar to appear in the US, this Fargesia has particularly striking, rich coppery

canes when exposed to the sun. Please see the photo on the Gallery page! It is one of

our favorites for the showy colors and classic umbrella shape.

Similar to Himalayacalamus hookerianus, but with blue-green canes. 12' tall in Northern

CA, with half inch diameter canes. Part shade, but will tolerate full sun.

An upright clumper with nice green vertical stems and white culm sheaths. Dense

foliage and cane production. Grows up to 10' with some cascading at the top. Good for

a short screen or isolated clump. Full sun to bright shade.

Dark green leaves with butter green culms. Botanists claim heights of 15' in a native

environment. Here we have seen 10 of fountain-like growth. A slow spreader.

Steel blue to purple canes will turn light green as they mature or deep burgundy in full

sun. Sheaths sometimes have a rusty hue and linger on the plant for a striking effect.

Very small leaves are dark green. Upright and sun tolerant. A newer introduction from

Sichuan, China. Height is expected to be about 12'.

Very important food source for the Giant Panda. Quite cold hardy since it is native to

West Sichuan China. The leaves are larger (about 2"x6") but the plant as a whole stays

smaller, about 6' in the North Bay Area. An excellent shade plant.

All green form of Hibanobambusa tranquilans Shiroshima

A large leaved, brightly variegated selection. Dark green leaves have cream to white

stripes that may have purple tones in full sun. Grows to 15', and quite cold hardy but

prefers shady environments in very hot climates.

Heavily laden with fine, delicate, rich green foliage, the Tibetan Princess grows very

upright at first, but as taller canes are produced, they will gracefully dip under the

weight of foliage, resulting in a willowy shape. Culms turn cinnamon colored in full sun.

In the shade, they remain a fresh green with white rings at the nodes. To 15' tall locally.

A very decorative ornamental.

An attractive specimen plant, this is a tight clumper similar to H. falconeri Damarapa,

but more upright in habit. Sheaths have unique spiraling dark green stripes.

From the cool, broadleaf forests of the Himalayas, this plant is similar to the

Damarapa but the canes are a solid deep green color. The edible shoots are sold in the

markets of Katmandu. The flexibility of the canes makes them excellent for weaving.

Similar in appearance to the Drepanostachyum, , but the Drepanostachyum has bitter shoots.

A great accent plant with much color. Canes start out butter toned, tinted in green

stripes. More colors are brought out by weather, varying from light gold with green

stripes to blushy red with black stripes.

A good ornamental plant for its many colors; blue, golden, and purple. Grows well in

morning sun and afternoon shade.

A seedling from Carpinteria, CA, which flowered in 1996. This species is smaller than

regular Blue Bamboo and not as as cold hardy, but has the same dynamic coloration.

Only 6-10' tall, depending on location.

A great clumper with light green leaves, white culms and striped red shoots. Grows to

12', dense with culms and foliage. Likes morning sun and afternoon shade.

A large leaf species, with foliage 2" wide and up to a foot long. Drought tolerant and

grows to 6' tall. A good container plant. In its native China, it is used to make

chopsticks, brushes, mats and for wrapping food.

Deep green leaves up to 7" long on upright canes, this plant is a nice species for

indoors. Also an excellent shade plant for the garden and it will also take some sun.

Native to China, with leaves up to 2' long and 4" wide. The large drooping leaves cover

the canes giving it a mounded appearance. Tolerance of low light makes it an excellent

specimen for a house plant or deep shade plant to 3' tall, taller in brighter shade.

To 15' tall with 1" diameter canes here in the Bay Area, it will grow in shade to full sun.

Large, 5" long, smoky-green leaves dominate this plant.

A fountain of bamboo. The foliage on the Mexican Weeping Bamboo is so abundant that

it obscures the canes and bends them over creating the fountain appearance. It can take

drier conditions. Grows well in almost any soil.

Brought to this country from China in 1917, Stone Bamboo is very strong and holds up

well under the weight of heavy rain or snow. The straight, strong canes are used for

crafts and weaving.

Used for weaving and tool handles in China, P. arcana has an interesting habit of

producing occasional zigzag canes.

Same as Phyllostachys arcana but with a yellow stripe in the sulcus.

Incense Bamboo is named for a subtle sandalwood scent. Rubbing your fingers on the

cane can increase the aroma. The canes tend to be fatter in relation to the height. It has

tasty shoots and is able to withstand soggy soils.

Similar to Ph. aurea, Koi is a hardy bamboo, growing quickly and in many conditions. It

is distinguishable from P. aurea by a green sulcus, long internodes and occasional

variegation in the foliage.

The most common bamboo in the landscaping industry, Golden Bamboo is named for

the canes that turn yellow-gold when exposed to sunlight as they mature and light

green foliage. It is a hardy species, drought resistant and able to take a variety of light

conditions and temperatures as low as 0 degrees F. It is popular as a hedge because the

foliage fills in throughout the plant, not just the upper portion. Gets between 10' and

15' tall here in the Bay Area.

A perfect choice for bonsai aficionados, this one makes a great bonsai plant with thin

canes, short nodes and wide leaves. The smallest phyllostachys bamboo, it grows only 8

to 9 inches tall. Also makes a good houseplant. A very cute plant!

Another variation of Ph. aurea with similar behavior, Flavescens-inversa is the inverse of

Koi. The sulcus is green, a pleasing contrast on mature golden canes.

True to its name, the canes of True Gold turn a golden yellow with or without sun

exposure. Another pleasing feature of all Ph. aurea cultivars is the tortoise shell like

appearance from compressed internodes at the base of the canes.

Like the primary form, but the cane is solid green. Canes have the classic zigzag form.

This genus is one of the hardier species of bamboo, often recommended for climates in

the Midwest and Northeast US where it makes excellent screens and hedges. The canes

form a classic zigzag pattern at the base. The canes initially appear bent, but will

change direction a few times, then grow vertical. The grove as a whole has a very

upright growth habit. The sulcus is yellow as the name implies, with rich green canes.

To 30' in the Northern California.

This plant has classic zigzag cane form. Like a flower, the canes offer delicate colors;

bright yellow with multiple thin vertical stripes. Sometimes there is a green ring at the

node. Good for a hedge or specimen plant. To 25' tall and 2" diameter canes here in

the Bay Area. A great sport of Ph. aureosulcata Alata, it will take full sun up to 80

degrees and is very cold tolerant.

This variety is unique in color. Bright gold stems reflect the light nicely making dark

areas of your garden brighter. A nice choice for the erect culms complimented by lovely

green foliage. Cane diameter is about 2" and about 25' tall.

Spectabilis has yellow canes with green sulcus stripes and occasionally zig zaggy at

the lower portion of the cane. Canes will turn cranberry red when exposed to the sun.

An excellent and popular choice for screen or hedge plant.

Same as 'Castillon', but green culms with a yellow sulcus.

This is a fussy plant and not recommended for the casual gardener. It will take a few

hours of sun to look good, but in full sun it will look shabby. Morning sun and

afternoon shade are best for elegant foliage. The canes are unusual--shriveled and not

round or square.

Named for the tendency for canes to zigzag at the base of the plant. Grows to 50' tall

and to 5" in diameter.

One of the timber bamboos, Madake is known for its construction-quality wood. The

green canes will get to 50' tall and 3" in diameter in the Bay Area. Create your own

bamboo forest! New cane growth on an established plant has been clocked at growing

47 inches a day--nearly two inches an hour!!

Similar to Ph. bambusoides holochyrsa but with creamy variegation on the leaves and

occasional yellow-white stripes on the green canes. Often confused with Sinobambusa

tootsik 'Albovariegata' and P. bambusoides 'Richard Haubrich', this species has half the

variegation as 'Albovariegata'. It is also hardier than 'Richard Haubrich' and more sun

tolerant than 'Albovariegata'.

A sport of Phyllostachys bambusoides, Castillon has variegated foliage with sparse, but

bright creamy stripes. The shiny canes are orange-yellow with a soft green stripe in the

sulcus. Gets to about 25' here in the Bay Area.

New canes come up a translucent yellow, becoming golden with age. There is no

striping on the canes, thus the designation All Gold. Foliage has occasional cream

striping. Gets to 30' tall with 2" diameter canes.

A unique species of bamboo with cream and apricot foliage occasionally striped with

green giving it a frosted look. Heavily foliated, smaller plant. Makes an excellent showpiece.

Similar to P. bambusoides, except the foliage is light green with dark green stripes.

One of the biggest bamboos, similar to P. vivax or P. bambusoides. Known to get 8" in

diameter in its climate of origin. We are waiting to see how big it gets here.

This is a preferred choice for a fast growing, thick hedge that can be pruned to any

height. Left unchecked it reaches 15-18' here in the Bay Area. Green canes are about 1"

in diameter and glossy, rich green leaves with wavy margins grow from head to toe,

making a nice full hedge. Please see the gallery photo.

Beautiful pink, purple and green striation on new sheaths, this bamboo is called

Beautiful Bamboo in its native China. Gets to about 20' here in the Bay Area.

Leaves have a hairy underneath and tend to fold inwards slightly. The branches grow so

densely at each node, they look like small nests. A nice shrubby form of bamboo, great

for containers or a low growing hedge.

Nicknamed "Sweetshoot" because the shoots are particularly tasty and free of

bitterness. Arching, green canes are 2-3" inches in diameter with occasional white

stripes. To 40' tall in the Bay Area, they are large in diameter relative to height. Canes

will taper quickly and tend to arch and turn.

Named for the tendency for canes to zigzag. Medium size lime-green leaves grow on

darker green canes, which turn burgundy in direct sun. Very cold hardy and tolerant of

windy and salty or alkaline soils. Gets to 16' tall in the Bay Area where it is usually

grown as a short arching hedge. Flowered in 1995.

Same as P. flexuosa but with canes ranging in color from green to yellow to lime and

nicely variegated gold and green foliage. Prefers half day sun for best coloration. Gets

to about 12' in the Bay Area.

Named for the smooth, white powder or "glaucous", that gives the canes a handsome

blue-green hue. Cane tops tend to arch, plants grow to 40' locally and about 2.5" in

diameter. Very tolerant of poor soil conditions; both dry and alkaline. Great for fast

growing hedges, screens and erosion control.

This bamboo is a collectors item. The bamboo connoisseur will appreciate the tendency

of the canes to zig-zag between nodes and the semi-swollen nodes. Foliage is light

green. Also sometimes called Water Bamboo because the rhizomes have air pockets and

it will grow well in wet soils where other bamboos cannot survive.

Similar to P. nidularia, this plant has a tendency to show the zig-zag effect. Most

bamboo has hollow internodes. ("Internode" is the section of cane between the nodes or

growth points.) On this plant, the lower internodes of the cane are solid, thus its name.

The rhizomes or root structures of this plant have air channels that allow the plant to

grow in wet areas, hence the name. This plant is very similar to Ph. heteroclada 'Solid Stem'.

Moso is a particularly special plant. It has recently been reclassified and renamed

Phyllostachys edulis, but it is still known by the common Japanese name "Moso". Moso

is an important species in China, covering more than 7 million acres, it gets 7" in

diameter and grows a rate of 46" per day. It uses are innumerable; timber, pulpwood,

craftwork and harvested for edible shoots more than any other species. Moso is slower

than some other timber bamboos to produce full size canes but will produce some of

the largest canes.

This bamboo is one of the best for areas similar to north east of Sacramento, where

temperatures drop down to the teens in winter and up to 100 degrees or more in

summer. It grows from 4 to 6.5 inches in diameter and from 35 to 50 feet tall. Its

hairy culms spread well and the purple shoots are great for eating. Culms have many

uses by craftsmen.

Distinctive because of the short internodes, 4-6". The first few internodes of each cane

are hollow. Canes and leaves are olive green with vertical, fast growth to 20'.

Incarnata bamboo grows to a nice height of 25' tall with culms 2" to 3" in diameter.

The new shoots are tinted red-brown with medium size culms for many uses. It makes a

great hedge or a strong wind break. Multiplies rapidly. Edible with good flavor.

To 36' tall and nearly 3" in diameter. Deep green foliage and canes. A good wind break

or screen with tasty shoots. Sheaths have a rusty reddish coloration.

Similar to P. glauca with powder blue canes. Very upright growth. Good for fishing

poles, crafts, paper, erosion control, and edible shoots. Widely cultivated in Taiwan.

Phyllostachys meyeri is a bamboo that tolerates both a wet base and drought

conditions. It is a good choice for making furniture, erosion control or a visual screen.

Grown in Costa Rica for crafting furniture.

This bamboo is one of Jesus' personal favorites because the unusual shape. This

particular bamboo grows up to 25' tall with 2" diameter solid culms that are swollen and

asymmetrical from node to node. The culms and leaves are blue mixed with green hues.

Medium to large leaves, great shape, good for screening and hedges.

A shorter species of Phyllostachys, it only gets to about 15' tall here in the Bay area.

The leaves are also smaller, wide and blue-green on narrow, rich green canes.

A huge favorite, the Black Bamboo is desired for the striking contrast between canes

and foliage. The canes come up dark green and turn to a frosted black with maturity.

The canes will hold their color when dried making it an excellent choice for furniture

and other craftwork. Highly prized as an ornamental.

If Black is not enough, there is Giant Black! Say die-koe-coo-chee-coo. This beauty is

very similar to regular black, grows to 4" in diameter and 47' tall.

A lovely Black Bamboo. The canes on this species show their color sooner, canes as

young as 3 months turning. Keeps it's solid charcoal color, contrasted with the lush green foliage.

Henon is an all green from of Black Bamboo. It is a large species, getting to 35' in the

Bay Area. It is also a tolerant species, growing well in a variety of conditions, including

drought once established.

Ph. nigra Othello, named after the moorish Shakespearean character is a rare form of

the Black Bamboos. This runner travels very slowly, behaving more like a clumper and

has those trademark handsome dark canes. To 20' tall in the Bay Area.

In the black bamboo family, the Tosaensis has fewer spots, one or two elongated dark

spots per internode. A fast grower, to 30' tall and 1.5 inches in diameter. Excellent

screen, hedge or erosion control.

In the Black Bamboo family, Leopard Bamboo has wild, black/brown, leopard-like spots

on the canes--every cane with a unique pattern. Because of large canes and the

handsome patterns that remain on cured canes, this bamboo is prized by furniture and

instrument craftspeople.

Collected by our friend Hastings Schmidt and grown from seed about 16 years ago, it

has not exceeded 4.5' tall. Not the shortest of the Phyllostachys, but close. Minimal

spreading with ¼" diameter canes. The culms and leaves are olive green. A good

isolated plant or low hedge.

Similar to Henon, but with a dark stripe in the sulcus. Cold hardy and drought resistant.

Like Ph. nigra 'Henon', but with occasional dark stripes.

A very cold hardy species, Ph. nuda has very attractive new canes with purple-brown

tones. Good, thick craft wood and edible shoots. To 34' tall in the Bay Area.

Grown in China for the shoots. New shoots are red, age to rich green. Lower nodes are

bare, leaving beautiful canes exposed. This is a particularly fast growing species,

containment is advised. To 26' tall in the Bay Area.

Named for the red margins on its sheath, the bamboo is very useful. The shoots are

tasty, the canes are high quality for paper and wood products. P. rubromarginata is also

an exceptionally cold tolerant species.

An usual plant with vertical stripes on the canes that vary in color from green to deep

shades of purple. Colors vary from cane to cane and become more distinct with age.

Grows about 30' with 2" diameter canes in the Bay Area.

An excellent quality wood often used by craftspersons. Shoots are excellent eating

quality. Canes are lime-green with soft powdery coating and a distinctive white ring at

the node. To about 35' in the Bay Area, 2" diameter canes.

Similar to Ph. viridish Robert Young, but the reverse coloring; Houzeau has green

canes with a yellow stripe in the sulcus.

Accent cane colors usually appear in the sulcus. Robert Young is one of the few that

have the accent color outside the sulcus. The canes come up green and will fade to a

rich yellow, exposing the dark green striping. Also and excellent eating bamboo and wood source.

A green form of Tonkin bamboo, Ph. vivax will grow to become a majestic mountain

forest. Used for centuries as a sustainable timber bamboo because it replenishes itself

so well. It is favored for its shoots and the canes are often used for scaffolding and

other large projects. A prime choice to reduce your carbon footprint! A running

bamboo, to 70' tall in the climate of origin. Can have canes up to 5" in diameter.

A magnificent timber variety that grows up to 45' in the SF Bay Area with a very

attractive color; light orangey yellow with occasional vertical green stripes on the cane

and dark green leaves. Distinctive from other yellow bamboos. A great accent plant in

an isolated clump or a giant hedge or screen. A very impressive plant for your garden.

P. vivax with splatterings of dark coloration, creating uniquely patterned culms.

Except for the yellow sulcus stripe, this plant is identical to P. vivax.

The plant is similar to Ph. vivax Aureocaulis, yellow canes with thin green stripes, but

it has a green stripe on the sulcus. The leaves are very dark green and show well against

the buttery canes. It makes and excellent large hedge or individual accent plant.

Generally speaking, the Pleioblastus genus refers to lower growing bamboos from Japan

that benefit from early spring shearing. This will keep them lower and refreshed. P.

argenteostriatus is no exception, or will go to 3' unchecked. It prefers the shade but can

handle some sunshine. Foliage has a creamy variegation.

Similar to P. argenteostriatus but with a single gold stripe on the foliage.

A medium sized bamboo, native to Japan. Tolerant of full sun. Several forms of varying

heights are available.

A form of Pleioblastus that grows 6' in height, leaves have a canary yellow stripe, culms

come up dark green then turn gold with a remarkable green stripe in the sulcus.

To 6' tall unchecked, 'Elegantissimus' has fine creamy striping on curved foliage.

Preferring filtered light, Murakamianus is a handsome variegated species. Some leaves

white, some green and everything in between. To 6' unchecked but can be sheared and

kept as a 2' ground cover.

To 6' tall unchecked, with narrow leaves and stronger striping than Elegantissimus.

Growing 4-10" tall, P. distichus can be used for bonsai or lawn substitute. Benefits from

early spring shearing to keep it lower and refreshed.

Pygmy bamboo is one of the smallest bamboos. The tiny leaves make it an excellent

bonsai plant or lawn substitute. It is commonly used in Japanese gardens clipped to only

a few inches high. Unclipped, it will grow to 8-12" high and will grow in full shade to

full sun if well watered.

Variegated in crisp white and deep green, this is a very nice groundcover or shrub

bamboo. Holds its color well throughout the summer months. Most attractive when

pruned down in early spring and allowed to rejuvenate. It will refresh surprisingly

quickly--within about 5 weeks. 2' to 4' tall in the Bay Area. Better in cool sun or part

shade.

Similar to the species, except for narrower leaves with fewer stripes in the variegation.

Looks nice even in winter months.

Long, slender leaves give this plant a grass-like appearance to 12' tall with an overall

fountain-like growth habit. Tolerant of salty air. Canes make excellent garden stakes. A

good choice for erosion control.

A very unique bamboo variety. At maturity, some canes produced are twisted into a

spiral at the base.

An excellent screen because of stiff, leathery, upright foliage and overall upright look.

To 18' tall and very hardy. Also tolerant of salty air. Particularly flavorful edible shoots.

An attractive dwarf with dark green leaves. A strong runner, good for erosion control.

Introduced to the U.S. by our dear friend, Gerald Bol around 1995. A lower growing

species with heavy variegation of limey-cream on deep green. A particularly handsome

bamboo, great for ground cover or a lower growing accent shrub. Retains its colors

through the winter. Can be pruned for spring rejuvenation.

A lower growing species, maxing out at 6' tall, this is a collector's item noted for the

hairy culms. Indigenous to Japan and useful as a ground cover or shrub.

Low growing to 3' tall with abundant leaves. The foliage is large, about 1" wide and 5 to

7" long, giving the plant a very full look. Also has a gentle variegation of yellow-green

stripes on dark green leaves. A very pleasing, low growing plant.

To 15' tall, with abundant long, narrow leaves giving the plant a plumed look.

Similar to the species but shorter over all with narrower leaves.

Maximum height of 5', it can be mowed once or twice a year to maintain as a lower

ground cover. Dark green leaves. Full sun or shade, a hardy plant.

Only about 2' tall, this striking bamboo has variegation similar to Pl. fortunei on longer,

narrow foliage. Overwinters well without pruning.

A sweet plant, with strong variegation on small leaves. An lovely ornamental, can also

be grown as a groundcover, small specimen or container plant.

Very salt tolerant. Erect habit making it a good selection for a hedge. Traditionally used

for poles, fishing rods, and cages because of the finer diameter canes.

Similar to the species except for some occasional variegation.

Soft, fuzzy foliage in a heavy and unique variegation of chartreuse and deep green. A

striking groundcover or shrub. Late winter mowing will make way for especially vivid

new foliage.

Similar to the species, but the leaves are uniformly chartreuse without variegation.

Because of the slender, thin-walled canes with uninflated nodes and long internodes,

this bamboo is suitable for making arrows, hence its common name. It is also very

suitable for hedges against wind and salty air. Grows to about 15' tall in the Bay Area. It

also makes a graceful container specimen with erect canes and weeping foliage.

This variety has creamy variegated foliage but is otherwise similar to the Arrow Bamboo.

Holds its variegation better than 'Akebono'

Similar to Arrow Bamboo, but with swollen nodes and lower growing, to about 10' tall in

the Bay Area. Good against wind and salty air.

Leaves are variegated, sometimes all green, some all white and some green with white stripes.

A great coastal choice because it will tolerate wind, salt and some drought. It has three

branches at each node which develop quickly. Grows to 8' in the Bay Area.

A dwarf species, growing less than 2' tall. Great for bonsai, or a ground cover that can

be mowed.

Dark green foliage about 3" long. Grows to about 6' and quite cold hardy. An excellent

choice for a low hedge.

A large leafed, highly attractive selection. Leaves get to 8" long and 2" wide with a

subtle pinstripe variegation. Gets to 6' tall.