Most of the bamboo that we work with are non-invasive types…yes, there really are many non-invasive ones. The bamboo plants listed below are species that are typically available in our area and perform well in the Northwest. If we do not have a bamboo listed below in stock we can help you find that plant or a similar one.
Contact Phil Comer for more information.
Telephone: 360-490-2379
Email: Phil@outdoorsbydesign.com
Please note that we DO NOT ship bamboo plants.
We will, however, deliver within western Washington State. Call for details.
Clumping Types
Borinda angustissima is a tightly clumping bamboo with fine-textured foliage and arching stems that form a wide, fountain-shape canopy on mature plants. It grows to about 15 feet high with a culm diameter of about 1/2 inch, and is cold hardy to about 15 degrees F. It grows best in moist, well drained, organic soils, with protection from afternoon sun. This bamboo makes a wonderful specimen for a medium-large garden space. Available plants: Clumping Bamboo-Borinda angustissima #2
Clumping Bamboo-Borinda angustissima #3
Clumping Bamboo-Borinda angustissima #5
Clumping Bamboo-Borinda angustissima #7
Borinda boliana (Some reports indicate this bamboo may be in flower so we're holding off on sales for now) A very large, clumping bamboo cold hardy for Western WA that can reach 25' or taller. Maybe the tallest clumping bamboo for the cool climate of Western WA, it can reach 25' or taller, but will spread much more rapidly than other clumpers. Very upright canes over 1.5" in diameter have purple color in spring, fading to green. It will spread quickly in rich moist, slightly acid soils with full sun exposure.
Available plants: Clumping Bamboo-Borinda boliana #3
Clumping Bamboo-Borinda boliana #5
Clumping Bamboo-Borinda boliana #7
Clumping Bamboo-Borinda boliana #10
Borinda macclureana This rare and exciting clumping bamboo is so new to cultivation in the U.S. we don't have mature height information, but you can expect over 20' with a culm diameter of about 1.5". This is a fairly tight clumping bamboo with large leaves and arching stems that form a mound of lush foliage. Needs rich, moist soils and afternoon shade to grow best. Best used as a specimen in a large garden area. We have been testing this one in varius sites around Mason County since 2009 and it has done well. Unestablished plants seem to suffer some defoliation in the winter but our established plants have done well through our recent hot, dry summer and winter ice. Available plants: Borinda macclureana #3
Borinda macclureana #5
Borinda macclureana #15
Chusquea culeou is a beautiful clumping bamboo native to the mountains of Chile and Argentina. It grows on the margins and in the understory of beech forests. This bamboo is quite variable in form depending on exposure and genetics, but generally, mature plants form a tight, columnar to vase-shaped clump of foliage-tufted culms. It grows in full sun to part shade (will have a more open habit with shady exposure) is wind tolerant, hardy to about 0 degrees F., and grows to a height of about 20' with a culm diameter of about 1". It thrives in rich, organic, slightly acid soils with summer irrigation. It's quick to establish, forming a round clump that doesn't "run", so it's easy to contain. The versatility and beauty of this bamboo make it an extraordinary ornamental specimen! *Chusquea culeou 'Cana Preita' is a stunning dwarf form of the species. We have noticed that it is very hardy in our nursery in Shelton WA. It has survived 6 degrees F and 3 feet of snow without any difficulty. It is difficult to find but we do have a limited quantity for sale at this time. We are working on propagating this cultivar. Available plants: Chusquea culeou 'Cana Prieta' #5
Chusquea culeou 'Cana Prieta' #7
Chusquea culeou 'Cana Prieta' #15
Fargesia denudata grows to 20' with a very wide canopy. Older culms arch dramatically, creating a stunning fountain of foliage. Best use of this plant is a stand alone specimen in a focal point of the landscape. Does best in rich, moist soil in afternoon shade, but will tolerate afternoon sun. It is reported cold hardy to -10 degrees F. Available plants: (wholesale pricing available) Fargesia denudata #1
Fargesia denudata #2
Fargesia denudata #3
Fargesia denudata #5
Fargesia denudata #7
Fargesia denudata #10
Fargesia dracocephala 'Rufa' is another very versatile clumping bamboo that will grow up to 9' tall, (6' tall in full sun) with a wide-spreading, bushy form. It does equally well in full sun or nearly full shade and can withstand cold, windy, open sites in Western Washington. This bamboo is very fast growing, so it's great for hedges and screens. Somewhat drought tolerant in shady locations, it needs regular water in rich, slightly acid soils to grow best. Cold hardy to below -10 F. Available plants: (wholesale prices available) Fargesia dracocephala 'Rufa' #1
Fargesia dracocephala 'Rufa' #2
Fargesia dracocephala 'Rufa' #3
Fargesia dracocephala 'Rufa' #5
Fargesia dracocephala 'Rufa' #7
Fargesia dracocephala 'Rufa' #10
Fargesia nitida 'Jiuzhaigou' is a nitida form (there is still some disagreement among growers and taxonomists about the origins of this plant) with tiny, delicate leaves and beautiful reddish culms that reach about 10' high. Mature plants form a column of tightly clumping canes with some arching perimeter stems. Very rare in cultivation, this garden beauty is a highly sought after bamboo that makes a wonderful specimen for a shady area of the garden. Does best in moist, rich, slightly acid soils with morning sun and afternoon shade. Hardy to below -10 degrees. Available plants: Fargesia nitida 'Jiuzhaigou' #2
Fargesia nitida 'Jiuzhaigou' #3
Fargesia nitida 'Jiuzhaigou' #5
Fargesia nitida 'Jiuzhaigou' #7
Fargesia nitida 'Jiuzhaigou' #10
Fargesia nitida 'Jiuzhaigou' #15
Fargesia robusta is a versatile clumping bamboo which is one of the larger, more vigorous and most sun-tolerant of the Fargesias. It has an upright habit, reaches about 20’ in height, with a culm diameter of 1”, and thrives in slightly acid, rich, organic soils, with summer irrigation, and is cold hardy to about 0 degrees F. Our examples have grown equally well with several hours of full afternoon sun, or in nearly full shade (I wouldn’t recommend this plant for areas receiving full sun with reflected heat). This is a great plant for a single specimen used in a hedge or screen, or in a container in a shadier area. Available plants: (wholesale pricing available) Fargesia robusta #1
Fargesia robusta #2
Fargesia robusta #3
Fargesia robusta #5
Fargesia robusta #7
Fargesia robusta #10
Fargesia robusta #15
Fargesia robusta #20
Fargesia scabrida This is one of our favorites. Perhaps our most versatile clumper, this bamboo reaches about 15’ high, forming a vase-shape clump with some arching perimeter stems. The new shoots on mature plants have a blue coloration that turns olive green over the growing season, and the leaf sheaths have an earthy, orange-red color that is quite striking. This is a very garden-worthy bamboo that can be used as a specimen/focal point, tall screen, or to contrast with the foliage of conifers and broadleaf evergreens. This is a fast grower that does well in full sun or shade, and remains a lush green throughout winter. Like others of the genus, it needs rich, moist acid soils to grow best. Cold hardy to about 0 degrees F. Available plants: (wholesale prices available) Fargesia scabrida #1
Fargesia scabrida #2
Fargesia scabrida #3
Fargesia scabrida #5
Fargesia scabrida #7
Fargesia scabrida #10
Running Types
Chimonobambusa tumidissinoda, Chinese Walking Stick Bamboo, was introduced to the United States in the mid 1990’s and is still relatively rare here. The prominent culm nodes are the trademark of this bamboo, but its weeping habit and lacy foliage are also features that make it an outstanding ornamental. The culms are used for decorative walking sticks, furniture and crafts, and the fresh shoots are some of the most prized in China. Native to the high plateaus of Sichuan and Yunnan provinces, this bamboo is well adapted to the cool climate and acid soils of western Washington. It is a very vigorous, fast-spreading bamboo under the right growing conditions, attaining a maximum height of 20’ and culm diameter of about 1” (a little greater at the nodes). Does best in partial sun, and is reported hardy to 5 degrees F. Available plants: Chimonobambusa tumidissinoda #5
Chimonobambusa tumidissinoda #7
Chimonobambusa tumidissinoda #10
Chimonobambusa tumidissinoda #15
Chimonobambusa tumidissinoda #20
Phyllostachys atrovaginata, is commonly referred to as Incense Bamboo for its fragrant culms. I love working around this bamboo on warm, sunny days when its spicy scent is most noticeable (some compare it to sandalwood). It is a vigorous runner here in western Washington, and the strongly tapered culms can grow to about 30' with a base diameter of about 2". It has a strongly upright habit once established, the poles are fairly sturdy, and the shoots are reported to be quite tasty. It thrives in rich, organic, somewhat acid soils, but it is also one of the very few bamboos well adapted for wet or boggy soils. It thrives in full sun exposure, with minimal summer irrigation, and is hardy to about -5 degrees F. Available plants: Phyllostachys atrovaginata #7
Phyllostachys atrovaginata #10
Phyllostachys atrovaginata #15
Phyllostachys aurea, golden bamboo, is a very dense, bushy bamboo that can grow to about 25’ with a culm diameter of 1.5”. This is a very tough bamboo that grows in just about any exposure, is tolerant of poor soils, and drought and cold hardy to about 0 degrees F. The shoots are edible and the quality of the canes is quite good. Despite its common name, the culms are green, taking on a bleached appearance with age and exposure to sun. Internodes at the base of the culm are sometimes shortened and irregular; very ornamental, but likely covered up by branching which occurs low to the ground. In cooler, or challenging environments, this bamboo has a mostly clumping habit, but can be a vigorous runner in warmer regions. This is a great bamboo for creating a solid screen or hedge, and is the best bamboo for growing in containers in Western Washington. Available plants: Phyllostachys aurea #5
Phyllostachys aurea #7
Phyllostachys aurea #10
Phyllostachys aurea #15
Phyllostachys aurea 'Holochrysa' #7
Phyllostachys aureosulcata, is commonly called yellow groove bamboo for the dull yellow color of its sulcus. This is a vigorous spreader that can reach over 40’ in height, with a culm diameter a little over 2”. In a mature grove, the canopy forms about 6’ off the ground, exposing the wonderful crooks that randomly appear on many of the culms. Very fun! This bamboo is also one of the hardiest Phyllostachys, down to -15 degrees F. In western Washington its lush green foliage is at its best during the winter. It’s perfect for blocking that view over the top of a six foot fence, or as a specimen grove in a larger area. If you are willing to do the work, it can also be contained in a smaller area with annual rhizome pruning. Like most bamboos of the genus, it will do best in full sun, growing in organically rich, well-drained slightly acid soil. P. aureosulcata f. alata is a solid green form. Available plants: Phyllostachys aureosulcata f. alata #10
Phyllostachys aureosulcata f. alata #15
Phyllostachys aureosulcata 'Aureocaulis', is the same as Phyllostachys aureosulcata except the culms are a brilliant yellow Available plants: P. aureosulcata 'Aureocaulis' #7
P. aureosulcata 'Aureocaulis' #10
P. aureosulcata 'Aureocaulis' #15
P. aureosulcata 'Aureocaulis' #20
Phyllostachys aureosulcata 'Spectabilis', is a cultivar of P. aureosulcata, aptly named for its beautifully colored culms. New shoots emerge yellow/lime-green striped with a green sulcus and blushed with red/purple-magenta patches on the internodes. As culms mature, their purple color fades and they turn a deeper yellow, retaining the green sulcus. The purple and cream-striped leaf sheaths, and crooks in the base of the culms also add to the beauty of this bamboo. It reaches a height of around 30’ with a maximum diameter of 1.5”. In western Washington, it retains its lush, green foliage through winter, and is reportedly cold hardy to -15 degrees F. Grows best in full sun (best coloring) but does well in partially shaded areas too. Available plants: Phyllostachys aureosulcata 'Spectabilis' #7
P. aureosulcata 'Spectabilis'#10
P. aureosulcata 'Spectabilis' #15
P. aureosulcata 'Spectabilis' #20
P. aureosulcata 'Spectabilis' #25
Phyllostachys bambusoides f. Castillonis is a beautiful form of the well-known species P. bambusoides (commonly called Japanese Timber Bamboo). Unlike the green-colored species, this form has yellow culms with wide green stripes in the sulcas on alternate sides of each internode. In a mature stand, the clear yellow culms appear hatched with vertical green bars, creating an incredible color display. In our cool western Washington climate, my plants have been slower to spread, almost clumping in habit, but quite vigorous and prolific in the number of shoots they produce. Smaller than the species, this form can reach a height of 30 plus feet, with a culm diameter of around 2". It will thrive in full sun, growing in rich, moist, well-drained, slightly acid soils, and is cold hardy to 5 degrees F. My young plants tend to look bushy and have a splayed habit, but mature plantings produce upright culms. The poles are very strong and less prone to breakage than many others of the genus. Available plants: Phyllostachys bambusoides f.'Castillonis' #7
Phyllostachys bambusoides 'All Gold' #15
Phyllostachys bissetii is a densely spaced, upright bamboo with lush green foliage, making it a superb hedge plant. It is very fast to establish, has quality shoots and poles, and has a mature height of about 25’, with a diameter of about 1”. It retains its deep green foliage through winter in western Washington, holds up well in windy, open sights, and is reportedly hardy to -20 degrees F. It grows best in full sun, in rich, organic, somewhat acid soils, but will grow well under a variety of exposures and soils. Available plants: Phyllostachys bissetii #7
Phyllostachys bissetii #10
Phyllostachys bissetii #15
Phyllostachys dulcis is named for its sweet shoots, which are considered to be one of the finest for eating. This species has large, strongly tapered culms reaching a height of 30' - 40' with a culm diameter of 2" - 3". This one is not for small spaces or right next to a walk, since it leans heavily toward the sun, but the leaning masses of lush, green foliage are highly ornamental. To spread and increase in culm size quickly, it needs full sun exposure, and should be grown in moist, organic, slightly acid soil. Reportedly cold hardy down to 0 degrees F. Available plants: Phyllostachys dulcis #10
Phyllostachys dulcis #15
Phyllostachys nigra 'Bory' is a Black Bamboo relative best known for its unusually colored culms. In a mature grove, the culms can reach a height of over 50' with a culm diameter of 3". The culms branch out 5-6' above ground, exposing large, beautiful brown patches on the bare culms. A truly remarkable sight! Bory establishes much faster and grows more upright than black bamboo. It does best when grown in rich, organic, well-drained, slightly acid soils. Likes full sun exposure, and is hardy to 0 degrees F. Available plants: Phyllostachys nigra 'Bory'#10
Phyllostachys nigra 'Bory'#15
Phyllostachys nigra ever popular for its exotic black culms, is one of the most prized ornamental bamboos, and the harvested poles are coveted for use in artwork, furniture and crafts. I think it’s the best of the Phyllostachys for container-growing, both for its beauty and its somewhat clumping form. This bamboo is highly variable in appearance and habit, and there is some bit of controversy over which color and size differences are genetic, and which are environmentally induced. Some forms color up faster, (new shoots emerge green, then turn black as they mature) more completely and darker than others, and mature sizes range from several to 50’, with a maximum culm diameter of about 3”. I am growing a strain that colors up quickly, and grows to a height of about 20’ with a culm diameter of about 1”. It may grow much larger depending on climate, exposure, water and nutrients. In western Washington, it will grow in full sun to nearly full shade, but plants will be slower to spread and have more culms that lean or weep in shady areas. To look its best, it needs somewhat acid soils, and thrives in a moist, organic, fertile medium. Cold hardy to 0 degrees F. Available plants: Phyllostachys nigra #3
Phyllostachys nigra #5
Phyllostachys nigra #7
Phyllostachys nigra #10
Phyllostachys nigra #15
Phyllostachys nigra #20
Phyllostachys vivax 'Aureocaulis' is the less common, yellow-culm cultivar of P.vivax, and you won't likely find it in any but a specialty bamboo nursery. This is one of the largest temperate bamboos, capable of reaching a maximum height of 70’, and a culm diameter of 5”. The large, yellow or randomly green-striped culms and lush green foliage make this a spectacular ornamental for a larger area. To spread and increase in culm size quickly, it needs full sun exposure, and should be grown in moist, organic, slightly acid soil. It is one of the cold hardiest of the large bamboos, remaining evergreen at temperatures to -5 degrees F. The shoots of this bamboo are very sweet, and considered to be very high quality Available plants: Phyllostachys vivax 'Aureocaulis' #10
Phyllostachys vivax 'Aureocaulis' #15