Zone 5 Hardy Bamboo

Paul Ont · Post by **Paul Ont** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 1:03 pm

Just wondering if anyone has checked out this website before?
http://www.needmorebamboo.com/
Lots of good info, and very inspiring for someone 1/2 to 1 zone colder. I know I can expect more damage, but a few species look to be worth trying (P. angusta, bissetii, rubromarginata, Arundinaria gigantea, and maybe a few others)... I know about the hardy clumpers (Fargesia) but they don't really appeal to me...
I'm currently trying P. nuda (still green after -22.4C) and P. aureolsulcata (completely defoliated at about -17C!)... I'll be interested to try other species and to see how those I've already planted recover!
Anyone else have some info on hardy bamboo, which species have done well?
Cheers,
Paul

Alchris · Post by **Alchris** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 9:38 pm

My only experience, positive, has been with Fargesia murieli (sp).

Allen

Dean W. · Post by **Dean W.** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 8:11 am

Paul,

Yes, Iv'e seen this website before. Your in a much cooler zone than me. I have thirteen varities of bamboo. No, fargesis though. I suggest you check out this http://www.americanbamboo.org/ . You can research different varities that can work well for your area.

Dean

Finnish summer · Post by **Finnish summer** » Thu May 21, 2015 4:51 am

Hi,
You should give a chance to Phyllostachys bissetii, it is cold hardy down to ~ -25°C!
(some of them down to -30°C, if -30°C freezing cold do not last too long)

Paul Ont · Post by **Paul Ont** » Thu May 21, 2015 4:54 am

First time I tred P. bissetti it died completely after -24C... Stupid thing was supposed to be among the hardiest of the Phyllostachys.

How old is this thread anyway? I should do an update on growing bamboo in zone 4/5!

DarkNight · Post by **DarkNight** » Mon Jun 01, 2015 7:45 am

Paul Ont wrote:First time I tred P. bissetti it died completely after -24C... Stupid thing was supposed to be among the hardiest of the Phyllostachys.

How old is this thread anyway? I should do an update on growing bamboo in zone 4/5!

Please do update on growing bamboo in Zone 5

wxman · Post by **wxman** » Thu Jun 04, 2015 6:27 pm

I planted P. nuda last summer. Gave it no mulch this winter or any other protection. It came back just fine here in zone 5b

. Winter low was -16F.

DarkNight · Post by **DarkNight** » Fri Jun 05, 2015 1:29 am

wxman wrote:I planted P. nuda last summer. Gave it no mulch this winter or any other protection. It came back just fine here in zone 5b . Winter low was -16F.

Hi, thx, I looked up on e-bay, can't find any international deliveries

Would love to try it.

Paul Ont · Post by **Paul Ont** » Mon Jun 08, 2015 7:49 am

nuda was a total bust here in zone 4b/5a. I heard the same thing from a fellow in Niagara, not that it failed, just that it was like having 'running sticks' as opposed to bamboo. I can't list all of the plants that have failed here, but a list would include: P. vivax, rubromarginata, F. murieale (could try again), P. bissetti, P. aureosulcata 'aureocaulis', and about 15 other Phyllostachys that I can't remember right now! Outside of zone 6, and even in zone 6, plants need some serious size to have a chance of making it long term (i.e. larger than 7 gallon sized). I imagine that I'd still have lots of different species if I had listened to that advice when I first started with bamboo!

The ones that are succeeding are:
P. aureosulcata, probably averages 15' or so. Usually mostly top-kills here, shoots in May.
P. aureosulcata 'spectibilis': Seems to downsizing here, probably no taller than 10'. Not as vigorous as the species.
P. aureosulcata 'alata': Running like a champ. Has spread very quickly, but is still really short at (perhaps) 6'. I keep hoping for an upsize.

F. nitida: Seed grown plants are better than the TC (presumably) plant that I bought at a store. Takes some damage but seems hardy.
Fargesia spp.: Seems to be OK as long as the snow if on top of it! I think it's probably 'rufa', about 1' tall after 4 years.

Sasa spp. Ground cover, comes through with some leaves intact. Worth growing.
Indocalamus spp. Seems t be a ground cover here. It survives, but I am hoping for more in the future.

There are other species I'd like to try here, including Ph. virella, Ph. parviflora, and Arudinaria gigantea, but sources and cost are limiting at the moment!

hardyjim · Post by **hardyjim** » Mon Jun 08, 2015 3:37 pm

I have Phyllostachys bissetii and Phyllostachys nigra,the PB
has been around for 7-8 years but has been knocked back...
the PN has been in for maybe 5-6 years and I am very surprised
it came back this year because it wasn't mulched.

DarkNight · Post by **DarkNight** » Sun Jun 14, 2015 12:05 am

thx, guys, I'll try to order some seeds online, there is limited supply of bamboo varieties around here.

marceli · Post by **marceli** » Sat Oct 03, 2015 11:06 pm

F. rufa. +13inch from August

F. jiuzhaigou 1. +19inch from August

It's their second year in the ground.