Bamboos are generally grouped into two types, clumping and running. We stock mainly clumping varieties. Bamboo is a
multi-functional plant. Some are used as food or fodder, others as shelter and windbreak, and many have structural uses
to make buildings, bridges, pergolas and as re-inforcing in concrete.
Clumping Type
Many of the following bamboos are small clumping varieties of Bambusa multiplex. These are ideal for small spaces and Japanese-style gardens. Most of these varieties are cold hardy. All Bambusa multiplex varieties have a characteristic blue tinge to the underside of the leaf.
- Alphonse Karr - Bambusa multiplex
Small clumping variety to 3-4 m. Culms creamy yellow with thin green stripes. New shoots pink. Most attractive of
all multiplex varieties.
- Blue Fountain bamboo - Fargesia nitida
Small (3 m) bamboo with culms 1-2 cm diameter. Attractive, with fern leaf-like foliage.
- Buddha Belly - Bambusa ventricosa
Fast-growing bamboo to 6-10 m. Produces bulged internodes when stressed (e.g. lack of water) and culms and branches
zig-zag as they grow. Good hedge or windbreak. Culms 4 cm diameter.
- Fernleaf - Bambusa multiplex
Thin culms, grows to 3 m. Small and delicate leaves, but leaves can be very variable.
- Golden Goddess - Bambusa multiplex
Small clumping variety to 3 m. Mature culms are gold-coloured, and leaves are typically larger than other
varieties.
- Oriental Hedge Bamboo - Bambusa multiplex (Syn B. glaucescens)
Generally grows in a slowly spreading clump to about 4m high, which is a small bamboo. Useful for erosion control
as well as stock feed. Stock eat the leaves and plant down during autumn or winter, and then it will rejuvenate
during spring. Good windbreak and screen plant, and 1-2 cm culms can be used as garden stakes. Cold hardy.
- Painted bamboo - Bambusa vulgaris vittata
Bright yellow culms striped with green. Used as building material. Very attractive in gardens. Can grow to 12 m
and culms 5 8 cm diameter.
- Riviereorum (Chinese Goddess bamboo) - Bambusa multiplex
Small to 3 m. Culms solid, small lance-shaped leaves (fern-like). Attractive clump.
- Spiny bamboo - Bambusa sinospinosa
Dense thorny, fine leaved. Ideal for living fence to retain stock. Edible shoots, good timber.
- Timber bamboo - Bambusa oldhamii
Tall, straight bamboo to 15 m with culms 5-10 cm diameter. Culm walls thick. Good hedge or tall windbreak.
Edible shoots.
Running Type
Running bamboos generally come from temperate climates and are well suited to Australian conditions. However, they can
become rampant and spread throughout the garden (and into your neighbour s yard). Running bamboos are best kept in
pots where they can be managed.
- Black bamboo - Phyllostachys nigra
Grows to 5-6 m, great for large containers. Culms 2-3 cm diameter and are initially green and then change to
black with age. Frost hardy.
- Fishpole or Golden bamboo - Phyllostachys aurea
Has characteristic short internodes at the base. New shoots edible. Culms more green than golden. Up to 8 m high
with culms 3 cm diameter.
- Golden brilliant bamboo - Phyllostachys bambusoides var Castillonis
Very attractive bamboo which grows 7 to 10 m. Culms to 3-6 cm diameter and are yellow with green stripes between
nodes, along the internodal furrow.
- Japanese timber bamboo - Phyllostachys bambusoides Madake
Large runner to 10-15 m high with green culms up to 10 cm diameter, great for timber, poles and stakes.
Young shoots edible.
- Miniature bamboo - Sasaella gabra Albostriata (Syn S. masamuneana Albostriata)
Dwarf striped bamboo ideal for rockeries and small spaces. Multi-variegated foliage ranging from large cream white
bands to much narrower white variegation on edges of leaves. Can grow to 1 m.
- Tsuboi - Pleioblastus shibuyanus Tsuboi
Tsuboi (pronounced soo boy ) is a small runner to 1.5 m. Green and creamy-white variegated leaves. Dense foliage.
Good for hedge or pot.
Grasses Type
- Tiger grass - Thysanolaena maxima
Two metre tall clumping grass, with stalks 1 cm diameter. Prefers full sun but will tolerate partial shade.
Leaves used to wrap food and flower heads tied together and used as brooms.
- Baby bamboo or Slender Tuft Grass - Pogonatherum paniceum
Bamboo-like miniature grass. Needs protection from frost and cold. Prefers full sun and to be kept moist.
Ideal for Japanese-style gardens when space is limited.
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