Angel Mist Bamboo
Angel Mist Bamboo
Dendrocalamus minor amoenus
Height: 35′
Diameter: 3″
Hardiness: 25°F
Angel Mist is one of the most attractive clumping bamboo plants. It has lush foliage with large tropical leaves. It can be used to create an amazing privacy screen or living fence.
The mature grove has few lower branches, thus making it an ideal specimen for a walking trail, courtyard or smaller gardens.
Young shoots have the powdery blue tint that mature into beautiful light green canes with dark green stripes.
The footprint of Angel mist is on average 4 to 6 feet in diameter, but it can be maintained by thinning, trimming, and pruning to fit your individual application.
Asian Lemon Bamboo
Asian Lemon Bamboo
Bambusa eutuldoides viridi-vittata
Height: 25′
Diameter: 1″
Hardiness: 25°F
Asian Lemon, aka China Gold, has stunning vibrant gold canes with green stripes. It grows in a tight clump with full branches and dense foliage. It can be used to create a privacy screen or living fence. If left alone, it will be impenetrable by humans or large animals after 2 to 3 years.
However, if you choose to trim off branches from the base to show off its beautiful canes, it can be a fantastic focal point in your garden.
Young shoots have a very pretty light pink coloring and are edible. You can maintain the desirable footprint by taking out the shoots to eat. What a great treat!
Another great thing about Asian Lemon is that it has very strong, thick-walled bamboo culms. These poles make great garden stakes and craft material.
Baby Blue Bamboo
Baby Blue Bamboo
Bambusa chungii barbellata
Height: 25′
Diameter: 2″
Hardiness: 21°F
Baby Blue, a smaller version of Blue Timber Bamboo, has long elegant internodes just like Blue Timber.
Native to Southern China, it is one of the most desirable ornamental bamboo species. It does well in tropical and subtropical climates, making it suitable to grow in Central Florida, South Florida, some parts of North Florida, and in USDA zone 9 and 10.
Young shoots are covered by a white powdery bloom, which gives them a striking blue color.
Baby Blue bamboo gives the appearance of sunniness naturally. No wonder it is one of the top favorites for many bamboo enthusiasts and local Central Florida gardens.
Black Lako Bamboo
Black Lako Bamboo
Bambusa Lako Black
Height: 45′
Diameter: 3″
Hardiness: 30°F
Black Lako, aka Timor Black, is a striking black beauty. The color contrast of light green foliage and black canes is a pleasing sight in any garden.
Native to islands of Timor, it loves the Florida heat and humidity. In colder parts of Florida and the U.S., it can be grown in containers and add tropical lushness for any large indoor spaces.
It is one of the most unique ornamental bamboo species, loved by many home owners and garden enthusiasts.
Young shoots come out of the ground green, then turn into shiny black after a few months. Young shoots are of good taste. During shooting season (usually May to October), just dig out the shoots that are outside of your desired boundary and cook for a special meal!
Blue Timber Bamboo
Blue Timber Bamboo
Bambusa Changii
Height: 35′
Diameter: 2″
Hardiness: 15°F
Blue Timber Bamboo, aka White Bamboo or Tropical Blue Bamboo, can create a stunning lush privacy screen or living fence, but it is also an outstanding choice for a standalone specimen in any garden.
The color combination of blue green canes, brown sheath, and light green foliage is an endless visual feast.
Blue Timer bamboo is elegantly erect and tight. It has one of the longest internodes of any type of bamboo, so it is great for craft material.
Bonnie Bamboo
Bonnie Bamboo
Bambusa boniopsis
Height: 20′
Diameter: 1″
Hardiness: 27°F
Bonnie Bamboo is a great option for where smaller plants are desired. It can be trimmed to form a thick yet delicate screen or hedge.
It is also great for growing in containers to lend a bit of Asian flair, indoors, on a balcony, or in a small yard.
Chinese Dwarf Bamboo
Chinese Dwarf Bamboo
Bambusa guangxiensis
Height: 15′
Diameter: 1″
Hardiness: 27°F
The best feature of Chinese Dwarf Bamboo is its dense lush leafiness. When trimmed short (which forces more bushy growth), the canes can be fully hidden by its foliage.
It is a great choice for using as container plants that will add fresh green color in a patio or a birght indoor space any time of the year.
For area a little warmer, it’s a great option for a full, but shorter, privacy fence. Planting them 3 feet apart, it will block that “ugly neighbor” completely in 2 to 3 years.
Dwarf Buddha Belly
Dwarf Buddha Belly Bamboo
Bambusa vulgaris Wamin
Height: 15′
Diameter: 4″
Hardiness: 30°F
Dwarf Buddha Belly Bamboo is short and plump. Its unique canes are a great conversation starter.
Buddha has long been a symbol of good fortune in Asia, which makes rubbing Buddha Belly Bamboo a “fun activity” when you take a stroll in the garden. This might give you good luck!
The mature plant has interesting bulging internodes with few lower branches while the top foliage is dense and lush. This is an overall handsome bamboo plant indeed.
It will reach maturity in 3 years.
Emerald Bamboo
Emerald Bamboo
Bambusa textilis mutabilis
Height: 40′
Diameter: 2″
Hardiness: 15°F
Emerald Bamboo is a gem in the bamboo family. Young canes have bluish-white bloom and light yellow mature canes are erect and elegant with long internodes and few lower branches.
It has the “typical bamboo look” and is a favorite in local gardens or roomy back yards. It always draws admiring attention from passers-by.
Giant Timber Bamboo
Giant Timber Bamboo
Bambusa oldhamii
Height: 65′
Diameter: 5″
Hardiness: 25°F
This stately beauty is tall, strong, and erect. If you want an impressive giant, this is the bamboo for you.
Delicious shoots can be dug up where new growth is not wanted. It is one of the most popular varieties for bamboo shoot production in Asia. Information on how to handle and cook bamboo shoots will be added under bamboo usage.
The mature canes can be used in furniture or as craft material.
It is widely planted in major theme parks in Central Florida.
Golden Goddess Bamboo
Golden Goddess Bamboo
Bambusa multiplex golden goddess
Height: 10′
Diameter: 1/4″
Hardiness: 15°F
As one of the most popular small hedge bamboo used in U.S., it is often planted in a row to form a short hedge. It can also be put in containers to add a “delicate oriental look” in any outdoor or semi-outdoor space.
Graceful Bamboo
Graceful Bamboo
Bambusa textilis gracilis
Height: 35′
Diameter: 1 1/4″
Hardiness: 15°F
This is the Lady in the bamboo family. It has bare culms on the lower section to show off its elegant slender bamboo canes.
The top section has lush green foliage that is loved by many homeowners and gardeners alike.
It is a fast grower that will fill up space quickly to offer a natural privacy fence.
The smooth canes are perfect for garden stakes or other light duty craft projects.
For screening purposes, recommended planting space is 4 – 8 feet depending on how fast you want to have the “block out”.
Seabreeze Bamboo
Seabreeze Bamboo
Bambusa malingensis
Height: 55′
Diameter: 2 1/2″
Hardiness: 15°F
Seabreeze bamboo is said to be able to handle coastal wind well. It has dense foliage that is a great feature for an impenetrable living fence and excellent windbreaker. After careful research, we chose Seabreeze as our nursery windbreaker.
It is one of the fastest growers. If you want “total block out” quick, this might be your best choice.
The young shoots are edible, which is an added benefit of having this bamboo. We harvest shoots that poke out beyond the desired growing area and add them to our dishes. See Bamboo Usage for more details.
Sun and Moon Bamboo
Sun and Moon Bamboo
Bambusa emeiensis “Flavidovirens”
Height: 35′
Diameter: 2 1/2″
Hardiness: 24°F
Sun and Moon Bamboo is a rare show piece that is adored by bamboo collectors.
Brilliant yellow cane with dark green stripes, it is one of the most beautiful bamboo plants around.
Yin Yang Timber
Yin Yang Bamboo
Bambusa emeiensis “viridiflavus”
Height: 35′
Diameter: 2 1/2″
Hardiness: 24°F
Yin Yang Bamboo is the sister of Sun and Moon Bamboo. It has dark green canes with alternating bright yellow stripes.
It is also one of the most beautiful bamboo plants around.
The section close to the ground sometimes will crisscross with other canes. It is a very interesting sight.
Disclaimer
The hardiness is the best estimated temperature only. The actual cold tolerance of bamboo plants will depend on wind speed and other weather factors as well.