Phyllostachys aurea
Common names: Fish pole Bamboo, Golden Bamboo
Maximum Height: 30 feet
Typical northwest height: 15 to 20 feet
Diameter: 1.25 inches
Hardiness: 0°
F
Minimum USDA zone 7a through 10
Detail of contorted culm bases, or "Tortoise
Shell" internodes
Photo copyright: Ned
Jaquith, 2000
A formal hedge of P.
aurea.
It has been pruned to form a long, rectangular privacy screen and dense
sound barrier.
Photo copyright: Ned
Jaquith, 2000
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One of the most common bamboos in the United States,
and for a good reason: although
usually not very tall, it is one of the strongest and most useful. Growing
rigidly upright, this bamboo is one of the best for hedges and for planting next to
driveways and walkways.
It often has a series of distorted internodes at
the base of the cane, sometimes called "Tortoise Shell" internodes, that are quite
ornamental and make this plant useful for craft work. Culm
color of the species
type is green. Like other
Phyllostachys, when exposed to strong direct sunlight, the canes will
fade to yellow with age.
Phyllostachys aurea can be an aggressive spreader in hot climates, where
care must be used in its placement.
Phyllostachys aurea has three distinct
color variations that also make great screens:
Phyllostachys aurea
'Holochrysa'
True gold canes
P.
aurea 'Flavescens Inversa'
Green cane w/gold stripe
P. aurea 'Koi'
Gold cane w/green stripe
A new form of P. aurea we grew from seed at our nursery:
Phyllostachys aurea
'Dr. Don'
Young canes bright blue
A narrow screen trimmed neatly in front of a house
Photo copyright: Dain Sansome, 2003
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