These are the classic giant bamboos that are so prized by people all over the world. Some are tropical giants and others are for temperate areas. The mature height of these bamboos range from 40 to 70 feet. The culms have a diameter between 3 and 7 inches. Give the big running species at least a 25 X 25 foot area to create a grove. If a smaller area is needed install a rhizome barrier.

Arundinaria alpina - see Yushania alpina

Arundinaria amabilis (syn. Pseudosasa amabilis - TONKIN CANE, TEA STICK BAMBOO
One of the most valuable for its wood quality. Known in the U.S.A. for the fine fishing rods made from it. The culms are straight and thick walled. The nodes are smooth and not prominent.
sun   50'   2 1/2"   10 F   8-10   R

Bambusa beecheyana - BEECHEY BAMBOO
A large crowned "shade tree" bamboo that is fairly hardy. Culms are sturdy with short internodes. They arch and lean out from the clump of rhizomes. New culms are covered in white powder. Shoots are desirable for oriental cuisine.
sun   50'   5"    21 F    9-10   C

Bambusa lako - TIMOR BLACK
A tropical black culmed timber from Timor. There are faint green stripes embellishing the purple-black culms.
sun   50'   3"   28 F   10   C

Bambusa membranacea -  See Syn. Dendrocalamus membranaceous

Bambusa mutabilis
An erect, thin-walled bamboo with long internodes. The culms have a white ring of waxy powder around the nodes.
sun   40   2 1/2"   25   10   C

Bambusa oldhamii - GIANT TIMBER BAMBOO
The most common subtropical timber bamboo. Seen often in Southern California. Grows in a columnar form with nodding culm tips. The wood is not very flexible. The culms have very thick walls. One of the most drought tolerant bamboos. Used as a windbreak in New Zealand and soon, Hawaii. The new shoots are excellent for cooking.
sun   55'   4"   15 F   9-10   C

Bambusa sinospinosa - CHINESE THORNY BAMBOO, CHE TONG ZHU
A large tropical bamboo from China. Large thorns are representative of this species. Seedling variation may be interesting. Often seen in photographs on the banks of the Li River in Southern China.
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Bambusa textilis - WEAVER'S BAMBOO
A highly ornamental subtropical clumping bamboo. The tops of the culms arch dramatically in the skyline. The fibrous wood is woven into baskets, mats and other useful items.
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Bambusa tuldoides - PUNTING POLE BAMBOO
The hard and thick walled culms make this a particularly useful subtropical timber bamboo. Grows in a tight clump with the tops of the culms nodding down.
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Bambusa ventricosa - Syn. Bambusa tuldoides 'Ventricosa' -BUDDHA'S BELLY
If grown under the most healthful plant conditions it will become a large timber type bamboo with zig-zag culms at the base. Grown under austere bonsai conditions the crowded culms become swollen in the internode; reminding a person of buddha's belly. In Japan, one can rub a large exposed happy buddha belly for good luck.
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Bambusa ventricosa 'kimmei'- Syn. Bambusa tuldoides 'Ventricosa Kimmei' - KIMMEI BUDDHA'S BELLY
Same as the green form above except the culms are pale yellow and striped with dark green. It has variegated leaves.
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Bambusa vulgaris - COMMON BAMBOO
The big green timber size bamboo seen throughout the tropical world withB. v. 'Vittata' below. Excellent houseplant. Not recommended for use as a building material.
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Bambusa vulgaris 'Vittata' - GREENSTRIPE BAMBOO
An often used large tropical bamboo with abundant green stripes on the yellow culms. The bamboo most used for interiorscaping.
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Dendrocalamus asper
An attractive timber bamboo of the largest proportions. Excellent shoot quality. Fast growing in the warmest zone.
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Dendrocalamus asper 'Nubian Queen'
A dark culmed variety recently grown from seed and specially selected by us.
sun   100'   8"   23 F   9-10   C

Dendrocalamus brandesii
A beneficial giant with shoots that are edible raw. The lower culms are covered with a tan pubescent "fur". A good quality timber producer as well as for bamboo shoots. The big leaves make for a nice houseplant too.
sun   100'   10"   23 F   9-10   C

Dendrocalamus giganteus
A highly valued structural bamboo. Regarded as a good edible shoot producer too. Possibly the world's biggest bamboo species?
sun   100'   12"   25 F   10   C

Dendrocalamus hamiltonii
A big beautiful bamboo with nodiing culm tips. Used for food, timber, basket making, and mats.
sun   80'   7"   27 F   10   C

Dendrocalamus latiflorus - MA ZHOU
A recent import from Southern China. This large tropical giant is one of the main species of the bamboo shoot canneries in South China. The big wide leaves and lush green culms present a plant of tropical splendor. Best outdoors in Florida and So. California.
sun   65'   8"   22 F   9-10   C

Dendrocalamus latiflorus 'Mei-nung'
Similar to above but with culms striped with light green.
sun   65'   8"   22 F   9-10   C

Dendrocalamus membranaceous - Syn. - Bambusa membranaceous
A fast growing tropical used for construction, fences and farm implements. Delicious shoots. Found in single species communities in China
sun   70'   4"   25 F   10   C

Dendrocalamus strictus - MALE BAMBOO
A drought tolerant timber bamboo from India. Not particularly beautiful but very useful. The culms are thick, hard and solid at the base. A commercial bamboo of the paper industry in India.
sun   60'   5"   30 F   10   C

Dendrocalamus yunnanicus
A new species with huge leaves. Used for shoots, construction, pipes and rafts.
sun   80'   7"   30 F   10   C

Gigantochloa apus
A highly recommend construction bamboo from Java. Regularly used for roof rafters. Dark grey green culms highlighted by light colored sheath make the culms attractive.The leaves are large and pretty.
sun   65'   4"   27 F   10   C

Gigantochloa atroviolacia / Tropical Black Bamboo
A Javanese bamboo known for its beautiful black and faintly green striped culms. Prized for its wood since it retains the dark color after harvest.
sun   50'   3.5"   30 F   10   C

Gigantochloa pseudoarundinacea
Culms are light green and striped with thin yellow lines. Straight culms with branches starting about 10' high give it a strikingly erect form. The culms are extensively used for building. Rarely reaches full its height potential.
sun   100'   5"   28 F   10   C

Guadua amplexifolia
A timber size tropical from Mexico. Most Guaduas are throny. This one is less thorny. Good timber but not as straight as G. angustifolia. Prominent white bands around the nodes.
sun   50'   4"   28 F   10   C

Guadua angustifolia 'Bicolor'
The yellow striped form of one of the world's best bamboo species for construction. Prominent white rings around the nodes. Thorny.
sun   100'   8"   30 F  10   C

Phyllostachys bambusoides - JAPANESE GIANT TIMBER BAMBOO, MADAKE
A popular timber bamboo for temperate areas. Makes a handsome bamboo grove. The culms are of excellent quality for wood working.
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Phyllostachys dulcis - SWEET SHOOT BAMBOO
As the common name implies this is one of the best tasting of the edible bamboo shoots. The wood quality is not the best for crafting. It is probably one of the fastest growers to reach mature size. Performs well in hot, dry summer areas.
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Phyllostachys glauca - HONG DAN ZHU
Named for the bluish powder on the new culms. A fast growing important species for timber.
sun   35'   3"   0 F   7-10   R

Phyllostachys heterocycla pubescens - Syn. Phyllostachys edulis - MOSO BAMBOO, MOSO-CHIKU
The most useful of the temperate bamboos. Magnificent forests are found in China, where this is the #1 commercially grown bamboo for timber and edible shoots. The vast majority of the plants available in the U.S.A. today are a result of myself and two partners germinating and distributing approximately 4000 seedlings between 1982 and 1986. These plants are still not mature to this date . I expect the best looking of these seedlings may have reached a height of 40' a diameter of 3". Slow to reach timber size. Now there are also 1992 and 1997 seedlings available. Collect a new seedling every 10 years!
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Phyllostachys heterocycla pubescens 'Goldstripe' - Syn. Phyllostachys edulis GOLDSTRIPE MOSO
A vigorous variegated cultivar that is available in limited supply . Golden canes embellished with green stripes and green grooves. They are profusely accompanied by variegated leaves that hold the coloration well through the growing season.
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Phyllostachys iridescens
A good timber and shoot species. Widely planted throughout China for poles and handles. The shoot is sweet and delicious. The culm sheaths are decorated with red and purple. The sheath blade is rainbow like with yellow/green/purple.
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Phyllostachys makinoi - GUI ZHU
Tough, good wood quality make this a desirable species. Culms are thick walled with a bluish grey color when older.
sun   60'   3"   0 F   7-10   R

Phyllostachys nigra 'Bory' - BORY BAMBOO, UNMON-CHIKU
Bory bamboo is a large variety of Black bamboo that does not turn solid black, but develops a mahogany mottling on the older culms. It has a nice appearance and good quality wood.
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Phyllostachys nigra 'Henon' - HENON BAMBOO, HA-CHIKU
A green form of Black bamboo that grows much larger with the older culms having a greenish-blue color. Excellent wood quality. The third most grown bamboo in Japan for timber (right behind MADAKE and MOSO-CHIKU). Some feel this is the true form of 'Black bamboo' and the true Black is a variety of Henon.
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Phyllostachys nigra megurochiku - MEGURO-CHIKU
An interesting timber sized form that has a green culm with a wide stripe of brown or purplish-black in the sulcis (groove). A source of high quality wood for crafting.
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Phyllostachys nigra punctata - GIANT BLACK
The largest temperate timber bamboo that turns black. Takes 3 or more years to gradually change from green to black. A very useful bamboo for building and craft.
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Phyllostachys nigra shimadake - SHIMADAKE
A large variety of Black bamboo that does not turn solid black, but develops thin pinstripes of black on the older culms. It has a nice appearance and good quality wood.
sun   50'   3"   0 F   7-10   R

Phyllostachys rubromarginata - RED MARGIN BAMBOO
One of the best bamboos for wood quality. The culms are straight, long and with little taper. The wood splits well. A good producer of quality and quantity in culms and edible shoots.
sun   55'   2 3/4"   -5 F   6-10   R

Phyllostachys viridis 'Robert Young' - ROBERT YOUNG BAMBOO
Culms turn canary yellow to gold after a year. Thin green pin stripes occur here and there.Grows fast. Tends to have fewer but bigger shoots than most.
sun   40'   3"   0 F   7-10   R

Phyllostachys vivax - WU BU JI ZHU
Almost indistinguishable from MADAKE (P. bambusoides) until reaching larger size.It has thinner walled culms, is faster growing, not quite as straight and a little more cold hardy. Tends to "swell" a bit at the base of the internode when big. Culms are weak and easily break under wind and snow . A fast grower to timber size.
sun   70'   5"   -5 F   6-10   R

Phyllostachys vivax aureocaulis
Yellow culms with a few crisp greenstripes. A fast grower to timber size.
sun   70'   5"   -5 F   6-10   R

Schizostachyum brachycladum
A popular tropical for uncommonly yellow culms and erect stature. One author considers it to be the most beautiful bamboo in the world. Big green leaves crown the bright yellow and green pinstriped culms couple that with bronzy culm sheaths with pinkish-red bases and nodal rings. We have grown it as a houseplant. It does not tolerate the cooler of the frost free climates.
sun   45'   4"   35 F   10   C

Yushania alpina - Syn. Arundinaria alpina
A useful timber bamboo from Africa. It has a narrow habitat along the higher elevation zones  of Tanzania and surrounding countries. The bamboo groves are a favorite place for gorillas and elephants to eat the bamboo shoots and rest. Used for water pipes in villages. Hard to grow in the USA, Like chance is the narrow coastal zone of the west coast.
sun   55'   5"   25 F   9-10   R