Porter Swamp Company

Temperate Bamboo
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Temperate ("running") bamboos can provide a special accent for any landscape. Cool and shimmering in the summer heat or green and gracefully bending under tufts of snow, bamboo elicits a tropical sensation. However, like many plants, uncontained bamboo can spread and become a nuisance. We recommend you install bamboo barrier to control the underground rhizomes.

The following table provides basic information about the temperate varieties we provide at Nobles Century Farm.
(Some of the column names may require a bit of explanation:)
Ht: maximum height (in feet) under favorable conditions
Dia: maximum diameter (in inches) of mature culms
Temp: minimum temperature (degrees Farenheit) tolerated (wind chill should be considered)
Sun: ideal amount of direct sunlight required (1=mostly shade, 5=full sunlight)
Common Name: names used by most of us (click on this name for picture and full description)
FD $: price of fresh dug clumps picked up at Nobles Century Farm
Sma $: price of small clump -- 4-6 inch rootball, 1-2 ft culm (includes shipping)
Med $: price of medium clump -- 6-10 inch rootball, 2-5 ft culm (includes shipping)

Note: blank price or N/A indicates item is not currently available.
Due to shipping costs and restrictions, we do not normally ship large bamboos; if you have special needs, please phone for custom quotes.

Scientific
Name
Ht
(ft)
Dia
(in)
Temp
(F)
Sun
5=full
COMMON
NAME
FD $
Sma $
Med &
Comments

Arundinaria

A. gigantea ssp. tecta
6
1/2
-10
5
$ 20
Native to US; small culms with persistent sheaths; tolerates soggy conditions.

Indocalamus

I. latifolius 'Solidus'
10
3/8
-5
3
$ 25
Smooth solid upright culms; large dark-green leaves near top of culm.

Phyllostachys

Ph. aurea
27
1 3/4
-18
5
$20
Most commonly cultivated bamboo in US; culms turn gold when mature; yellow-green leaves in full sun.
Ph. aureosulcata
45
2 1/4
-10
5
$ 20
Young culms are green with yellow groove; some culms have "zigzag" effect; yellow-green leaves.
Ph. aureosulcata 'Harbin'
26
1 1/2
-10
5
Culms are yellow with multiple green grooves; does not do well in extreme heat.
Ph. aureosulcata 'Spectabilis'
26
1 1/2
-10
5
$ 20
Culms are yellow with green groove; beautiful bamboo, but extremely invasive.
Ph. bambusoides
72
6
5
5
$ 20
Most utilized bamboo in Japan; green culms are straight and thick-walled; large green leaves.
Ph. bambusoides 'Castillon'
35
2
0
5
Yellow culms with green grooves and stripes; light green leaves with cream stripes.
Ph. edulis
75
7
0
5
Largest of the temperate bamboos; tasty young shoots are preferred for food.
Ph. nigra
30
2
0
5
$ 40
Culms turn black when mature; small light green leaves; excellent accent plant.
Ph. nigra 'Bory'
50
3
0
5
$ 30
Green culms with dark blotches provide the name Snakeskin Bamboo; also called Leopard-skin Bamboo.
Ph. nigra 'Henon'
65
4 1/2
-5
5
$ 30
Whitish green culms are rough to the touch; larger than Black Bamboo.
Ph. nigra 'Megurochiku'
54
3 1/2
-5
5
$ 35
Culms are powdery green, grooves are brown to purplish black; dark green leaves.
Ph. rubromarginata
60
3
-5
5
$ 20
Supple green culms and low branching habit make it ideal for wind breaks and privacy screens.
Ph. viridis 'Robert Young'
40
3
-5
5
$ 20
Gold culms with green stripes and medium sized light green leaves create tropical"feel".

Pleioblastus

Pl. pygmaeus
2
1/8
0
3
$ 15/
quart
Short, dense bamboo with dark green leaves is excellent for ground cover in dappled shade.
Pl. viridistriatus
3
1/3
0
2
New leaves are large, golden-yellow with green stripes; mowing in winter promotes beautiful new growth.

Pseudosasa

Ps. japonica
18
3/4
0
4
Smooth erect culms were used in ancient Japan to make arrows; leaves are large, dark green; branches on upper culm.
Ps. japonica 'Tsutsumiana'
18
3/4
0
4
Internodes of culms are swollen to resemble green onions; leaves are large, dark green; grows well in pots.

Sinobambusa

S. intermedia
16
1
10
4
Culm internodes are up to 24 inches long, rough to touch; culm sheaths shed promptly.

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Last Updated: 01/09/2009
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