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| Selecting the Right Bamboo Selecting the right bamboo can be challenging as there are hundreds of species, and most have strange Latin names (very few bamboo have common names). Victoria Bamboo has simplified things by offering about 25 different bamboo species and cultivars which will meet all requirements (although we can provide other species). From 70 foot timber bamboo to the smallest two foot groundcover bamboos, clumping, running, shade tolerant to sun loving, we can recommend and provide the right bamboo for your landscape needs. The following chart shows bamboo cultivars from largest to smallest, how quickly they tend to spread, and best sun exposure:  = Full Sun  = Afternoon shade or filtered light = No direct sunlight, filtered light, moderate or deep shade |
| Running Bamboo | Height | Spread | Sun | Features |
Phyllostachys vivax (Timber bamboo)
|
30-50’ | v. fast | |
Fastest growing timber bamboo. Green canes that turn green-gold in the sun. Large, tropical leaves. Very tall screen, specimen, groves. |
Phyllostachys vivax ‘Aureocaulis’ (Golden timber)
|
30-50’ | v. fast | |
Fastest growing timber bamboo. Bright gold canes. Large, tropical leaves. Very tall screen, specimen, groves. |
Phyllotachys vivax 'Hwangwenzhu Inversa'
|
30-50' | v.fast | |
Fastest growing timber bamboo. Gold canes with a green stripe. Large, tropical leaves. Very tall screen, specimen, groves. |
| Phyllostachys bambusoides (Japanese timber bamboo) | 30-50' | slow/ medium |
|
Initially slower growing, stronger timber bamboo. Thick green canes. Very tall screen, specimen, groves.
|
Phyllostachys dulcis (Sweetshoot bamboo)
|
25-40' | medium | |
Timber bamboo. Edible, tasty shoots. Thick green canes. Tall screen, specimen, groves. |
Phyllostachys atrovaginata (Incense bamboo)
|
30-35’ | fast | |
Fast spreading timber bamboo. Extremely vertical green canes. Grows well in wet conditions. Medium/tall screen, specimen, groves. |
Phyllostachys nigra (Black bamboo)
|
20-35’ | medium | |
Striking black canes. Initially slow spreading. Grows best in a sunny location. Medium screen, specimen. |
Semiarundinaria fastuosa ‘Viridis’ (Coastal bamboo)
|
20-35’ | fast | |
Fast growing. Extremely vertical green canes. Salt and wind tolerant. Short side branches. The best dense, space-efficient screen. |
Phyllostachys aureosulcata (Goldstripe)
|
20-30’ | v.fast | |
Fast growing. Green canes with a gold stripe. Occasional ornamental zig-zag canes. Particularly cold hardy - good for container growth in an exposed location. Medium screen, specimen, groves. |
Phyllostachys aureosulcata ‘Spectabilis’
|
20-26’ | v.fast | |
Fast growing. Gold canes with a green stripe. Occasional ornamental zig-zag canes. New canes are red in springtime. Particularly cold hardy - good for container growth in an exposed location. Medium screen, specimen, groves. |
Phyllostachys aureosulcata ‘Aureocaulis’ (Golden crookstem)
|
20-26’ | v.fast | |
Fast growing. Bright gold canes. Occasional ornamental zig-zag canes. New canes are bright red in springtime. Particularly cold hardy - good for container growth in an exposed location. Medium screen, specimen, groves. |
Phyllostachys bissetii
|
18-25' | fast | |
Fast growing. Deep green canes. Particularly cold hardy - good for container growth in an exposed location. Medium screen, groves. |
Phyllostachys aurea
|
15-25' | medium | |
Green canes that turn green-gold in the sun. Ornamental compressed canes. Medium screen, specimen, groves. |
Phyllostachys aurea ‘Holochrysa’
|
10-15' | slow | |
Slow spreading. Bright gold, ornamental compressed canes. Short screen, specimen. |
Phyllostachys aurea ‘Koi’
|
10-15' | slow | |
Slow spreading. Gold canes with a green stripe. Ornamental compressed canes. Short screen, specimen. |
Chimonobambusa tumidissinoda
|
10-20' | v. fast | |
Extremely fast spreading. Green, arching, ornamental canes. Delicate looking leaves. Beautiful specimen, groves. |
Hibanobambusa tranquillans ‘Shiroshima’
|
8-15' | fast | |
Striking foliage; large green leaves with cream variegation. Can be grown indoors. Shrub, short screen, specimen. |
Pleioblastus shibuyanus ‘Tsuboi’
|
4-9' | medium | |
Green and white variegated leaves. Shrub, tall groundcover, specimen. |
Pleioblastus viridistriatus
|
3-5' | medium | |
Gold and green variegated leaves. Good for brightening up dark areas. Groundcover, specimen. |
Sasaella masamuneana 'Albostriata'
|
2-4' | medium | |
Green and cream variegated leaves in spring, solid green leaves in summer. Groundcover, specimen. |
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| Clumping Bamboo | Height | Spread | Features | |
Fargesia robusta 'Campbell'
|
15-20' | v.slow | |
Fastest growing clumping bamboo. Green canes that turn gold. Persistent white papery sheaths on canes creates a striped effect. Screen, specimen. |
Fargesia robusta 'Wolong'
|
15-20' | v.slow | |
Fastest growing clumping bamboo. Green canes that turn gold. Large, tropical leaves. Persistent white papery sheaths on canes creates a striped effect. Screen, specimen. |
Chusquea culeou ‘Caña Prieta’
|
12-15’ | v.slow | |
Deep purple/red canes with persistent white sheaths, considered one of the most striking varieties. Screen, specimen. |
Fargesia scabrida
|
12-14' | v.slow | |
Multicoloured canes with persistent rust coloured sheaths. Canes are initially green, quickly turn lavender, and then gold. Screen, specimen. |
Fargesia dracocephala 'Rufa'
|
8' | v. slow | |
Fast growing. Green canes that turn gold. Persistent rust coloured sheaths. Notable fountain shape which covers canes unless pruned. Short screen, specimen. |
Bambusa multiplex ‘Alphonse Karr’
|
10'-30' | v. slow | |
Beautiful golden canes with green stripes. New shoots are tinged pink. A tropical bamboo - primarily for indoor growth. Specimen. |
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