Bamboo Varieties

Bamboo is a very popular group of plants because of its fast growth, evergreen foliage, and wide variety of styles and colors. World-wide there are over 1,800 species of bamboo with varieties that thrive in almost every climate. While some species create forests over 70 feet tall, the shortest species grow to only a few feet with every height in between provided by at least one species. Sun is another factor in determining which species is right for you. Various species thrive under both heavy shade and full sun but many prefer one or the other. Bamboo plants also have a large range in cold hardiness, with some species thriving in tropical climates while others are hardy enough to survive -20F or even colder. When comparing different varieties, be sure to keep the difference between running and clumping in mind. Running species spread underground and can quickly overtake large areas but clumping species are non-invasive and form single stands with many canes growing close together.

Umbrella Clumping Bamboo Fargesia rufa Mature Height: 8ft Hardiness Zones: 6-8 Spread: forms a multi-stem clump Aspect: mostly shade to mostly sun Foliage: evergreen Water: riparian to average Starting at $19.99 Golden Crookstem Bamboo Phyllostachys aureosulcata Lama Temple Mature Height: 20ft Hardiness Zones: 5-9 Spread: spreads quickly by the roots Aspect: partial shade to full sun Foliage: evergreen Water: average to dry Starting at $45.00 Solid Stem Bamboo Phyllostachys nidularia farcta Mature Height: 20ft Hardiness Zones: 6-9 Spread: spreads quickly by the roots Aspect: partial shade to full sun Foliage: evergreen Water: wetland to average Starting at $35.00 Red Temple Bamboo Semiarundinaria fastuosa Mature Height: 30ft Hardiness Zones: 6-8 Spread: spreads quickly by the roots Aspect: partial shade to full sun Foliage: evergreen Water: riparian to dry Starting at $115.00 Beautiful Bamboo Phyllostachys decora Mature Height: 30ft Hardiness Zones: 6-8 Spread: spreads quickly by the roots Aspect: partial shade to mostly sun Foliage: evergreen Water: average to dry Starting at $65.00 Green Stripe Bamboo Phyllostachys aureosulcata Spectabilis Mature Height: 25ft Hardiness Zones: 5-8 Spread: spreads quickly by the roots Aspect: partial shade to full sun Foliage: evergreen Water: average to dry Starting at $45.00 Variegated Bamboo Hibanobambusa tranquillans Shiroshima Mature Height: 20ft Hardiness Zones: 6-8 Spread: spreads quickly by the roots Aspect: mostly shade to full sun Foliage: evergreen Water: riparian to average Starting at $25.00 Arrow Bamboo Pseudosasa japonica Mature Height: 15ft Hardiness Zones: 6-8 Spread: spreads quickly by the roots Aspect: partial shade to mostly sun Foliage: evergreen Water: average to dry Starting at $65.00 Weeping Clumping Bamboo Fargesia denudata Mature Height: 15ft Hardiness Zones: 6-8 Spread: forms a multi-stem clump Aspect: mostly shade to mostly sun Foliage: evergreen Water: riparian to average Sold out but likely back soon. Blue Fountain Bamboo Fargesia nitida Mature Height: 10ft Hardiness Zones: 4-8 Spread: forms a multi-stem clump Aspect: mostly shade to partial shade Foliage: evergreen Water: riparian to average Not in production this year. Chinese Walking Stick Chimonobambusa tumidissinoda Mature Height: 15ft Hardiness Zones: 8-8 Spread: spreads quickly by the roots Aspect: partial shade to mostly sun Foliage: evergreen Water: riparian to average Out of season. Margined Bamboo Sasa veitchii Mature Height: 2ft Hardiness Zones: 7-8 Spread: spreads quickly by the roots Aspect: mostly shade to mostly sun Foliage: evergreen Water: riparian to average Out of season. Chilean Clumping Bamboo Chusquea culeou Mature Height: 20ft Hardiness Zones: 7-9 Spread: forms a multi-stem clump Aspect: partial shade to mostly sun Foliage: evergreen Water: average Out of season. Upright Clumping Bamboo Fargesia robusta Campbell Mature Height: 15ft Hardiness Zones: 6-8 Spread: forms a multi-stem clump Aspect: mostly shade to mostly sun Foliage: evergreen Water: riparian to average Not in production this year. Dwarf Variegated Bamboo Pleioblastus chino Variegatus Mature Height: 6ft Hardiness Zones: 6-9 Spread: spreads quickly by the roots Aspect: mostly shade to mostly sun Foliage: evergreen Water: riparian to average Sold out. Thick Cane Timber Bamboo Phyllostachys iridescens Mature Height: 45ft Hardiness Zones: 6-9 Spread: spreads quickly by the roots Aspect: partial shade to full sun Foliage: evergreen Water: average to dry Sold out but likely back soon. Square Stem Bamboo Chimonobambusa quadrangularis Mature Height: 15ft Hardiness Zones: 8-8 Spread: spreads quickly by the roots Aspect: partial shade to mostly sun Foliage: evergreen Water: riparian to average Out of season. Hedge Bamboo Semiarundinaria okuboi Mature Height: 12ft Hardiness Zones: 7-8 Spread: spreads quickly by the roots Aspect: partial shade to mostly sun Foliage: evergreen Out of season. Green Stripe Timber Bamboo Phyllostachys vivax Huangwenzhu Inversa Mature Height: 75ft Hardiness Zones: 6-8 Spread: spreads quickly by the roots Aspect: mostly sun to full sun Foliage: evergreen Water: average to dry Sold out. Stone Bamboo Phyllostachys angusta Mature Height: 12ft Hardiness Zones: 5-8 Spread: spreads quickly by the roots Aspect: mostly shade to full sun Foliage: evergreen Water: average to dry Out of season. Giant Clumping Bamboo Chusquea gigantea Mature Height: 25ft Hardiness Zones: 7-8 Spread: forms a multi-stem clump Aspect: partial shade to mostly sun Foliage: evergreen Water: average Out of season. Marbled Bamboo Chimonobambusa marmorea Mature Height: 8ft Hardiness Zones: 8-8 Spread: spreads quickly by the roots Aspect: partial shade to mostly sun Foliage: evergreen Water: riparian to average Out of season. Large Leaf Bamboo Sasa palmata Mature Height: 8ft Hardiness Zones: 6-8 Spread: spreads quickly by the roots Aspect: mostly shade to mostly sun Foliage: evergreen Water: riparian to average Out of season. Tiny Leaf Clumping Bamboo Fargesia sp. Jiuzhaigou Genf Mature Height: 15ft Hardiness Zones: 3-8 Spread: forms a multi-stem clump Aspect: mostly shade to mostly sun Foliage: evergreen Water: riparian to average Sold out but likely back soon. Green Stripe Golden Bamboo Phyllostachys aurea Koi Mature Height: 15ft Hardiness Zones: 6-8 Spread: spreads quickly by the roots Aspect: mostly shade to full sun Foliage: evergreen Water: average to dry Not in production this year. Snakeskin Bamboo Phyllostachys nigra Bory Mature Height: 40ft Hardiness Zones: 6-8 Spread: spreads quickly by the roots Aspect: partial shade to mostly sun Foliage: evergreen Water: average Not in production this year. Yellow Groove Bamboo Phyllostachys aureosulcata Mature Height: 25ft Hardiness Zones: 6-8 Spread: spreads quickly by the roots Aspect: partial shade to full sun Foliage: evergreen Water: average to dry Sold out but likely back soon. Golden Timber Bamboo Phyllostachys bambusoides Allgold Mature Height: 40ft Hardiness Zones: 7-8 Spread: spreads quickly by the roots Aspect: partial shade to mostly sun Foliage: evergreen Water: average Sold out but likely back soon. Dwarf Fernleaf Bamboo Pleioblastus distichus Mature Height: 2ft Hardiness Zones: 6-8 Foliage: evergreen Not in production this year. Dragon Head Bamboo Fargesia rufa Dracocephala Mature Height: 10ft Hardiness Zones: 5-8 Spread: forms a multi-stem clump Aspect: mostly shade to mostly sun Foliage: evergreen Water: riparian to average Not in production this year. Yellow Stripe Golden Bamboo Phyllostachys aurea Flavescens Inversa Mature Height: 15ft Hardiness Zones: 6-8 Spread: spreads quickly by the roots Aspect: mostly shade to full sun Foliage: evergreen Water: average to dry Not in production this year. Hardy Timber Bamboo Phyllostachys vivax Mature Height: 75ft Hardiness Zones: 6-8 Spread: spreads quickly by the roots Aspect: mostly sun to full sun Foliage: evergreen Water: average to dry Sold out but likely back soon. Short Big Leaf Bamboo Indocalamus tessellatus Mature Height: 2ft Hardiness Zones: 7-8 Foliage: evergreen Sold out but likely back soon. Brush Stroke Bamboo Sasa kurilensis Shimofuri Mature Height: 10ft Hardiness Zones: 6-8 Spread: spreads quickly by the roots Aspect: mostly shade to mostly sun Foliage: evergreen Water: riparian to average Out of season. Black Bamboo Phyllostachys nigra Mature Height: 25ft Hardiness Zones: 6-8 Spread: spreads quickly by the roots Aspect: partial shade to mostly sun Foliage: evergreen Water: average Sold out. Colorful Clumping Bamboo Fargesia sp. Scabrida Mature Height: 12ft Hardiness Zones: 6-8 Spread: forms a multi-stem clump Aspect: mostly shade to partial shade Foliage: evergreen Water: riparian to average Out of season. Yellow Stripe Timber Bamboo Phyllostachys vivax Huangwenzhu Mature Height: 75ft Hardiness Zones: 6-8 Spread: spreads quickly by the roots Aspect: mostly sun to full sun Foliage: evergreen Water: average to dry Sold out but likely back soon. Wind Break Bamboo Bashania fargesii Mature Height: 20ft Hardiness Zones: 7-8 Spread: spreads quickly by the roots Aspect: partial shade to full sun Foliage: evergreen Water: riparian to dry Sold out but likely back soon. Ruscus Bamboo Shibataea kumasaca Mature Height: 5ft Hardiness Zones: 7-8 Spread: single stem form Aspect: mostly shade to mostly sun Foliage: evergreen Water: riparian to average Sold out but likely back soon. Variegated Madake Bamboo Phyllostachys bambusoides Albovariegata Mature Height: 40ft Hardiness Zones: 7-8 Spread: spreads quickly by the roots Aspect: partial shade to mostly sun Foliage: evergreen Water: average Sold out but likely back soon. Dwarf Variegated Bamboo Sasaella masamuneana Albostriata Mature Height: 2ft Hardiness Zones: 6-8 Spread: spreads quickly by the roots Aspect: mostly shade to mostly sun Foliage: evergreen Water: riparian to average Out of season. Large Clumping Bamboo Fargesia songmingensis Mature Height: 25ft Hardiness Zones: 8-8 Spread: forms a multi-stem clump Aspect: mostly shade to mostly sun Foliage: evergreen Water: riparian to average Sold out. Tall Big Leaf Bamboo Indocalamus hamadae Mature Height: 5ft Hardiness Zones: 7-8 Foliage: evergreen Sold out but likely back soon. Umbrella Bamboo Fargesia murielae Mature Height: 12ft Hardiness Zones: 4-8 Spread: forms a multi-stem clump Aspect: mostly shade to partial shade Foliage: evergreen Water: riparian to average Not in production this year. Black Stripe Bamboo Phyllostachys nigra 'Megurochiku' Mature Height: 45ft Hardiness Zones: 6-8 Spread: spreads quickly by the roots Aspect: partial shade to mostly sun Foliage: evergreen Water: average Not in production this year. Gray Timber Bamboo Phyllostachys nigra Henon Mature Height: 55ft Hardiness Zones: 6-8 Spread: spreads quickly by the roots Aspect: partial shade to mostly sun Foliage: evergreen Water: average Not in production this year. Himalayan Clumping Bamboo Borinda boliana Mature Height: 25ft Hardiness Zones: 7-8 Spread: forms a multi-stem clump Aspect: partial shade to mostly sun Foliage: evergreen Water: average Sold out. Moso Timber Bamboo Phyllostachys edulis Mature Height: 75ft Hardiness Zones: 6-8 Spread: spreads quickly by the roots Aspect: partial shade to mostly sun Foliage: evergreen Water: average Not in production this year. Bigleaf Clumping Bamboo Fargesia robusta Pingwu Mature Height: 15ft Hardiness Zones: 6-8 Spread: forms a multi-stem clump Aspect: mostly shade to mostly sun Foliage: evergreen Water: riparian to average Sold out but likely back soon. True Golden Bamboo Phyllostachys aurea Holochrysa Mature Height: 15ft Hardiness Zones: 6-8 Spread: spreads quickly by the roots Aspect: mostly shade to full sun Foliage: evergreen Water: average to dry Not in production this year. Green Onion Bamboo Pseudosasa japonica Tsutsumiana Mature Height: 15ft Hardiness Zones: 6-8 Spread: spreads quickly by the roots Aspect: partial shade to mostly sun Foliage: evergreen Water: average to dry Sold out but likely back soon. Yellow Stripe Madake Phyllostachys bambusoides Castillon Inversa Mature Height: 45ft Hardiness Zones: 7-8 Spread: spreads quickly by the roots Aspect: partial shade to mostly sun Foliage: evergreen Water: average Not in production this year. Hedge Bamboo Phyllostachys humilis Mature Height: 15ft Hardiness Zones: 6-8 Spread: spreads quickly by the roots Aspect: partial shade to mostly sun Foliage: evergreen Water: average Not in production this year. Red Shoot Bamboo Phyllostachys rubromarginata Mature Height: 45ft Hardiness Zones: 6-8 Spread: spreads quickly by the roots Aspect: partial shade to full sun Foliage: evergreen Water: average to dry Not in production this year. Golden Striped Timber Bamboo Phyllostachys vivax Aureocaulis Mature Height: 75ft Hardiness Zones: 6-8 Spread: spreads quickly by the roots Aspect: mostly sun to full sun Foliage: evergreen Water: average to dry Sold out but likely back soon. Sweetshoot Timber Bamboo Phyllostachys dulcis Mature Height: 45ft Hardiness Zones: 6-8 Spread: spreads quickly by the roots Aspect: partial shade to mostly sun Foliage: evergreen Water: average to dry Sold out.