This section lists the tropical bamboo species we have in production. They
are all tropical, or sub-tropical, clumping bamboos and are generally not
cold-hardy like the temperate, running bamboos. Some, the sub-tropicals, can
tolerate freezing temperatures for short periods. Check the minimum
temperatures listed on each species description as a guideline for which
species can grow unprotected in your area.
Known in the US as the 'Laos seedlings'. Culm tops drooping, pruinose (white powder). Single main branches. Used for construction.
Similar to D. hamiltonii, but with fimbriate culm sheath ligule. Will grow to 50' with 4" diameter culms in Florida. Minimum temp 27 degrees F. Min USDA zone: 9b. Click to find your zone.
One of the most beautiful of the timber bamboos - that's the good news. The bad news is that it is a carrier of BaMV (Bamboo Mosaic Potex Virus). We are listing it here mostly for information as we will generally not distribute propagules without a verbal discussion.
Dark green stripes on the yellow green culm and a few yellow stripes on the leaves. Will reach 70' tall with 6" diameter culms in Florida. Min temp 27 F. Min USDA zone: 9b. Click to find your zone.
The standard, majestic, all green form of D.latifloris. A timber bamboo from southern China. Large, dark green leaves are 10 to 16 inches long and 3 to 4 inches wide. Outstanding quality large, edible shoots.
Some specimens of this species are occasionally found, worldwide, to be infected with the Bamboo Mosaic Potex Virus. We propagate only from lab-tested, virus-free stock.
60' and 4" dia. culms in FL. Min. temp. 27 °F. Min USDA zone: 9b. Click to find your zone.
Described as a striated version of D.brandisii - seems to mature somewhat smaller than brandisii in Florida. Large leaves and yellow or cream striped culms. An interesting ornamental. Should reach 50' with 4" culms in Florida. Minimum temp. 27 degrees F. Min USDA zone: 9b. Click to find your zone.
This is the standard, non-striated version of the species. The variety "amoenus" (next species listed) differs with striped culms. Tight clumping, no low branching. Beautiful whitish bloom on culms creates a glowing, ghostly effect.
The smallest and most frost-tolerant Dendrocalamus available.
Will grow to 35' with 3" dia. culms. Min. temp 24°F. Min USDA zone: 9b. Click to find your zone.
Tight clumping, no low branching. Beautiful whitish bloom combined with irregular culm stripes combine to present an eye-catching appearance. Makes a stunning garden focal point.
The smallest and most frost-tolerant Dendrocalamus available.
Will grow to 35' with 3" dia. culms. Min. temp 24°F. Min USDA zone: 9b. Click to find your zone.
Very new to our nursery. We are currently test-growing - so far, our field specimen is developing nicely. It is described as an ornamental bamboo in the Chinese Compendium of Bamboo, smaller than most of the species in this genus. Should grow to about 30' tall with 2" diameter culms. Min USDA zone: 9b. Click to find your zone.
A rare timber bamboo species in the United States. The limited stock is currently flowering and a few have produced large, viable seeds after hand-pollinating. These seeds were directly collected from the positively identified species, not from eBay or other unreliable seed source. They were germinated and the seedlings are vigorous. We won't know for a couple of years if these seedlings will develop the typical features of the species (especially the large culms that age to a burnt reddish color). Edible shoots and good quality construction timber. Min USDA zone: 9b. Click to find your zone.
Described as the largest bamboo in the world (largest culm diameter). The species is most know for its almost grotesque, tortured-looking culms. We have had this species in our container collection for several years but have only turned it loose (planted it in the ground) in 2006. As of early 2008, the culms are just beginning to display signs of contorted, curving culms that resemble an elephant's trunk. For now, the small culms are a bit zig-zag with the nodes slightly slanted - a good sign that, as the bamboo matures, each new shoot will emerge larger and develop into a twisting freak show that we all hope for. Min USDA zone: 9b. Click to find your zone.
Jim Parker's giant bamboo in Hawaii. Huge and legendary. Species identity is in question. Very rare in the continental U.S.A., now being propagated at our nursery. Claims of 10 diameter, 120' tall culms in Kohala, Hawaii are exaggerated. This is, however, an extremely large-growing timber bamboo and massive 7" diameter 80' culms would not be unusual. Min USDA zone: 9b. Click to find your zone.
The lower parts of the culms are sometimes solid. Drought tolerant. The most common and most useful bamboo in India. Many cultivars being distributed as this species (somewhere in the world) seems to always be in flower, and producing seed. The cultivar listed here was grown from seed collected in 1995 (India - Londoņo/Lucas). It has developed into a highly-ornamental cultivar with small slender leaves and a willowy overall appearance. A pleasant surprise from a species that originated with minimal expectations. Grows up to 40' tall with 2.5" diameter culms in Florida. Minimum temp. 30 degrees F. Min USDA zone: 9b. Click to find your zone.
Tall, erect culms. Convex joint with internode slightly contracted inward.
Will grow to at least 45' tall with 4" diameter culms in South Florida.
Minimum temp. is unknown. No problems at 31 degrees F. Min USDA zone: 9b? Click to find your zone.
Culms are noted for their pale, pea-green coloration. A timber bamboo from southeast Yunnan and Vietnam. Edible shoots. 60' tall, 5" diameter culms in Florida. Min temp. 30 degrees F. Min USDA zone: 9b. Click to find your zone.
From Malaysia and Thailand. A vining bamboo with rough culms. The culms actually have a texture that is angled in one direction - downward. If you rub a culm from the top down, there is minimal resistance. Reverse direction and you can feel the grip. This evolutionary feature allows the culms to attach to plants and trees. There are also small secondary branches that develop into spikelets, also for grabbing and attachment purposes. Will grow 30' vining culms up to 1/2" in diameter. Minimum temp. 33 degrees F. Min USDA zone: 10. Click to find your zone.
The new culms are dark green covered with white powder which gives them a bluish look. Small clumping, mountain bamboo. Should not be grown in full-sun - especially in South Florida. Does well when planted in filtered sunlight. Will grow to about 8'-10' tall. Min USDA zone: 8b. Click to find your zone.
