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WHICH BAMBOO?
Things to Consider:
Runners vs. Clumpers - which is best?
Purpose - what are you trying to achieve – ground cover, pole production,
privacy hedge or ornamental?
Height – what would be the ideal height at maturity?
Sun exposure – is the planting area in full sun, full shade, or something in
between? Six hours of sun, either morning or afternoon, is considered full
sun.
Runners vs. Clumpers
1. Clumper Advantages:
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Less work to plant (no barrier needed)
Less work to maintain (no rhizome chasing needed)
More shade tolerant (in general)
No sleepless nights worrying about invading neighbor’s yard
Great for containers
Clumper Disadvantages
• More plants needed to fill a given space
• Takes longer to grow a privacy hedge
• Fewer varieties to chose from
• Size limitations (most NW clumpers don’t get more than 15’ tall)
• Most not ideal for full sun planting
• Not as visually dramatic
3528 NE 50th Portland, OR 97213 503 285 5339
Pole Production – suggested varieties:
Clumpers:
• Chusquea gigantea – poles are almost solid – up to 2” diameter
Runners:
• Phyllostachys bambusoides – Japanese timber bamboo
• Phyllostachys nigra – striking black poles – straight and strong
• Phyllostachys nuda – culms are very straight and strong
Ornamentals – suggested varieties:
Clumpers:
1. Chusquea gigantea – magenta shoots – grows to 20’ and 2’ diameter
2. Borinda boliana – new culms bright blue-green, turning reddish purple
3. Himalayacalamus falconeri ‘Damarapa’ – nicknamed ‘Candystripe’displays culms with lavender tones and green & yellow stripes
Runners:
• Phyllostachys aureosulcata ‘Spectabilis’ – gold culms with green groove,
occasional crookstem
• Phyllostachys nigra – green culms turn jet black with sun exposure
• Phyllostachys vivax aureocaulis – large, cream-colored culms have
brilliant green pinstriping – can grow to 40’ and 4” diameter
Shade-tolerant – suggested varieties:
Clumpers:
• Fargesia murielae - elegant, arching culms create umbrella effect
• Fargesia nitida – ‘Blue Fountain bamboo’- reddish-purple culms
Runners:
• Phyllostachys nigra – Black bamboo & other forms of species
• Psuedosasa japonica – ‘Japanese arrow’- slender, straight stalks
Sasa palmata – large leaves create a tropical look
3528 NE 50th Portland, OR 97213 503 285 5339
Runner Advantages:
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Fast growing – will establish and fill in quickly
Fewer plants needed – can plant farther apart
Larger plants less expensive than comparable clumpers = lower cost
Wide range of sizes (from ground covers to timber bamboos)
Many choices of culm color, growth pattern, leaf size, etc.
Ideal for full sun exposure
Can make bold, dramatic statement in garden (Think “Crouching
Tiger, Hidden Dragon”)
Runner Disadvantages:
• More work to plant - barrier or other containment method
• More work to maintain – dividing, root pruning and/or rhizome
chasing
Purpose
• Privacy hedge – some suggested varieties:
Clumpers:
• Chusquea culeou – common name “Chilean Feather”
• Fargesia robusta – striking, upright, tolerates almost full sun
• Fargesia rufa – very full and dense, maximum height 8’
Runners:
• Phyllostachys humilis – fast grower, tops out at 12 – 15’
• Semiarundinaria fastuosa ‘Viridis’ – elegant, upright – to 30’
• Semiarundinaria okuboi – very dense, with large leaves – to 10’
Ground Cover – suggested varieties:
Runners:
• Pleioblastus distichus – “Dwarf fernleaf” – sun or shade
• Pleioblastus fortunei – spiky leaves with cream striping
• Pleioblastus viridistriatus – variegated golden yellow leaves
3528 NE 50th Portland, OR 97213 503 285 5339