Ornamental Bamboo
There are all kinds of bamboos that make a fantastic ornamental bamboo garden whether in the ground or in pots. Although most species have green leaves and green canes, there are many species that have coloured canes or variegated leaves (striped green/white/cream). Variations in colour and stripes can occur seasonally or change through the lifespan of the plant. They may have vibrant colours when young that fade as they get older, or they may change from one colour to another. Each species will have its own characteristics in the same way that flowering plants and grasses do... seasonally. Don't be disappointed if the plant does not reach your expectations during one of the seasons. I always think that spring and autumn brings out the best colours in the natural world and a bamboo garden in different seasons is no exception!
Variegated leaves vary in vibrancy according to age and exposure to sunlight, most are at their brightest when the leaf is new/young, and some get duller through age or sunlight.
Coloured canes can also vary through their age with some starting off as one colour and changing as they get older. Bamboos with yellow canes are usually yellow throughout their lifespan but can occasionally start off green. Black species usually start with green canes which then turn black, but in established and older plants the young canes will often be black from the start. Other coloured bamboos, such as red, blue, or white, also can change throughout their lifespan. Sometimes the colours are spectacular and vibrant, usually in the young fresh canes, and other times they can change colour as they get older.
Striped canes - some species have striped canes on young and new growth that then turns to green, others retain the stripes (striations) throughout the lifespan of the plant.
Some examples of the many ornamental bamboos on offer are:
Gigantochloa Atroviolacea - Black Bamboo - Clumping - Height approx 20 feet. Culm diameter up to 3 inches. Very large - striking black stems. Needs full sun to achieve the best striking black stem color.
Other black species examples are Bambusa lako and Betung hitam Black asper
Hibanobambusa Tranquillans ‘Shiroshima’ - very ornamental running species. Height up to 10 feet. Needs bright light for best colouring. Highly variegated large green/white leaves, individual patterns.
Bambusa Multiplex ‘Alphonse Karr’ - Clumping. Height approx 18 feet. Culm diameter up to 1-1/2 inches. Tolerant of full sun. Bright yellow stems with green stripes. New shoots and stems sometimes reddish in colour. Leaves can be variegated white and green.
Sinobambusa Tootsik Albostriata - Running species. Approx height 12 feet. Culm diameter up to 1-1/2 inches. Very erect canes with green and white variegated leaves.
Otatea Acuminata- Weeping Bamboo, Mexican - Clumping. Approx height 12 feet. Diameter of culms up to 1-1/2 inch. Wide spaced canes with light green long narrow leaves. Attractive weeping habit. Tolerant of full sun.
Pleioblastus Shibuyanus - ‘Tsuboi’ - Running species. Approx height to 3 feet. Small white striped leaves. Vigorous growth. Prefers low light, not toerant of full sun. Will lose vibrant variegation if too dark.
Other example ornamental bamboo species are:
Red - Himalayacalamus falconeri ‘Damarapa’ & Bambusa multiplex alphonse karr
Blue canes - Bambusa chungii, Otatea Glauca and Drepanostachyum khasianu
Striped canes - Gigantochloa maxima, Gigantochloa Bali, Bambusa dolichomerithalla and Bambusa vulgaris vittata
More...
From your interest in ornamental bamboo there is much more information to be found by following the links to my related pages below.
- About Bamboo
- Bamboo Garden
- Bamboo Plants
- Bamboo Plant for Sale
- Plant Bamboo
- Transplanting Bamboo
- Container Bamboo
- Bamboo Edging
- Bamboo Hedge
- Bamboo Screen
- Bamboo Windbreak
- Dwarf Bamboo
- Ornamental Bamboo
- Caring for Bamboo Plant
- Pruning Bamboo
- Bamboo Control and Containment
- Bamboo Rhizome Barrier
- Rhizome Barrier Installation
- Bamboo Species Edible
- Bamboo Recipes
- Kill Bamboo
- Bamboo Diary
- Bamboo Fencing
- Bamboo Fence Panels
- Bamboo Gazebo
- Bamboo Charcoal
- Bamboo Wind Chimes
- Bamboo Water Garden Fountain
- Japanese Garden Bamboo
- Bamboo Indoor Fountain
- Feng Shui Bamboo
- Lucky Bamboo Plant
- Lucky Bamboo Plant Care
- Bamboo Pictures
- Bamboo Books
- Site Map
- Home
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- Site Map
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