Giant Timber Bamboo



Cold hardy or temperate running species of Bamboo
all tolerate heat very well and most are drought hardy.
Winter temperatures are very important and we will
be happy to help you select the correct bamboo that
will remain evergreen for your location.

 Let us help, give us a call at:
1-877-RZN-CANE
 or
E-mail at: roger@lewisbamboo.com

  DETERMINE YOUR CLIMATE ZONE 

  ZONE 4  - have winter temperature ranging from  -30 F to -20 F
   ZONE 5  - have winter temperature ranging from  -20 F to -10 F
ZONE 6 - have winter temperature ranging  from  -10 F to 0 F
 ZONE 7 - have winter temperature ranging  from  -0 F to +10 F
       ZONE 8 - have winter temperature ranging  from  +10 F to  +20 F

Shipping & Handling  - 2 gal. and 3 gal.       $10.00        (UPS ground)


Phyllostachys bambusoides
 'Giant Japanese Timber'

Plant introduction number (PI) into the U.S. 1189926

Average mature size  6" x  72'    Hardy to 5 F      
Prefers full sun
 
     This is the mother form. It looks the same as 'crookstem' except larger in subtropical climates and without the very slight bend of the cane on some specimens. This giant is slow to mature. In our experience, we find it best suited for climate zones  zones 7 and 8.  It does not need a cool dormant period like most other temperate species. The only large  groves I have seen of this have been in these climate zones.  There maybe large  groves in cooler climates, but I have not seen them.  Not as cold hardy as the ' slender crook stem it gets top damage here in zone 7  when temperatures drop into the low twenties. Completely  defoliates at around 5 to 10 degrees F.  Canes die from 0 to -5 degrees F. This species flowered during the 70's and into the early 80's.  Mature groves are now hard to find and some sporadic flowering is still being reported.  Some clones of this species are reported to be in flower intermittently without lost of the grove.  Our clones are not in flower and we would not sell any that was.  The slowest of the temperate species to size up in zone 7.
 I recommend this species for USDA Climate Zones 7 and  8.
In USDA Climate Zone 7 and 8 expect mature size canes to be
 over 70 feet  in height.
  
2 gallon - $35 out

3 gallon - $60
Limited inventory currently available,

Shipping & Handling  - 2 gal. and 3 gal.      $10.00        (UPS ground)

  Large Field dug divisions $125  






Phyllostachys bambusoides
'SLENDER CROOKSTEM'
Somewhat rare and few nurseries offer
this timber bamboo.

Plant introduction number (PI) into the U.S. 146420
Average mature size  3" x 50'    Hardy to 0 F     
 Aggressive in  full sun
Great buy on this large fast growing timber bamboo.

    In my groves and the ones I have seen 90% of the culms ( canes ) are very straight and grow to a large timber size. We have measured the canes of this species at 3.5 inches in diameter and right at 60 feet in height. This species is from Guangdong, China and has been here since 1924. The new shoots are edible and in fact very tasty.  It is  a fast growing giant! Rare in cultivation this beauty looks tough. Very strong appearing with lush dark green foliage. One of the giant bamboo with canes that are very hard, making very high quality wood.  
     This bamboo is highly prized for use in construction and crafts. Culm (canes) sheaths are a pretty green/reddish coloration. The sheath auricles and oral setae are very distinct. It has the strongest branches of any Phyllostachys. As with most other species, the maximum size will not be obtained in colder climate zones.

I have grown this species for years and had several discussions with the knowledgeable Steve Ray and Adam Turtle  thus arriving at the above comments and factors about 'crookstem'.  This bamboo is easy to control with just root pruning and has wide culm spacing in  loamy soil. Crookstem  is rare in most areas of the country. It also has the low limb characteristics on canes under 2 inch in
diameter. So as your grove establishes for the first 3 to 5 years you will have thick
foliage nearly to the ground. You can see this by clicking on the picture and going to our photo page.
 I recommend this species for USDA Climate Zones 6 and warmer.

In USDA Climate Zone 7 & 8 expect mature size canes to be  50 feet in height.
In USDA Climate Zone 6 expect mature size canes to be 12 to 18 feet in height.
 
Click on the picture for more info or larger image.  
 
2 gallon - $35 very limited
3 gallon - $45
Good inventory currently available

Large Field dug divisions $125
$90 each when groups of ten are purchased 
                  




















Phyllostachys heterocycla pubescens
  ' MOSO '  (edulis)

Plant introduction number (PI) into the U.S. 80034
Average mature size 7" x  75'      Top Hardy to -8 F       
Sun to Part Shade

 
     Largest of the cold hardy species, but suited best for the south eastern U.S.  We have several clones of 'Moso' and often have the  most cold hardy 'Anderson' clone
in available.

     The largest groves are found in the southeast U.S. Its culm (cane) sheath is very dark, spotted and hairy and easy to recognize. The sheath ligules, oral setae and auricles are very large. Extremely large culms and tiny delicate leaves make this one highly collectable. New shoots emerge very early making this species difficult to grow up north. New shoots are very susceptible to frost damage.

    I recommend this species for USDA Climate Zones 7 and warmer, preferable in the southeast portion of the U.S..  Moso is being grown in climate zone 6 with good results, but it never reaches large sizes.  You can expect 1/2 or less of the mature listed sizes in climate zones 6.  Moso will not survive in zones 5.

Click here for a picture page on other clones we have of Moso

3 gallon Moso $100 each large 3  gallon
  Currently available

 Click here for a picture page on the 'Anderson Clone'. 

 3  gallon - $100   'Anderson clone'
Currently available,

15 gallon sizes of Moso $150
30 gallon $250 each

Click below for more information on these:
  15 gallon Moso



Phyllostachys makinoi

Phyllostachys makinoi

Plant introduction number (PI) into the U.S. 195284

Average mature size  3" x  60'      Hardy to 0 F     
Sun to Part Shade 
 
     Another giant bamboo that has reportable reached 4 inches in diameter from growers in Georgia.  This species was named for the famed botanist, Tomitaro Makinoi. It has a very straight upright culm (cane)  with a bluish powder covering new growth. The culm sheaths are light green with brown spots. Sheath auricles and oral setae are absent. Culms have a similar minute 'pigskin' appearance like P. viridis.

I recommend this species for USDA Climate Zones 6 and warmer.  

Click on the picture for more info or larger image.
   

3 gallon  $60  call
 

Large Field dug divisions $125 and up.



Giant Gray Henon

 Phyllostachys nigra 'Henon'
 'GIANT GRAY HENON'

Plant introduction number (PI) into the U.S. 75158

Giant Privacy Screening 
Average mature size  4.5" x 65'      Hardy to -8 F     
Sun to Part Shade

 This is not a sales gimmick. We sell out of this one and many others. Check for availability and have several different types of bamboo on your list when you call.
 
     I love this one not only for its size, but also its ability to grow great in shaded sites with poor soil and watering. Known best for its drought tolerance, once established, this giant is one impressive bamboo. From Guangdong Sichuan, China this cold hardy giant has very erect canes. Its new olive green canes turn to a gray color with age.  
     The culm sheath have wavy blades with prominent oral setae, auricles and ligules. Likes most all planting sites. The wood is of high quality and used by many craftsmen. New plantings will have leaf loss at 0 to 5 degrees F..  Older established groves remain evergreen to a lower temp., but will have top foliage damage. The canes have be reported to be hardy in the -8 to  -10 F. range. Root system hardy to -20 F.  depending on the amount of mulch and grove age.

     We have sold and done follow up studies on 'Giant Gray' in several areas of the country. It has adapted well and reached over 3 inches diameter canes in USDA Climate Zone 6.   In zone 6 Cherokee, North Carolina it has reached almost mature sizes in the past 10 years.  We personally have documented it doing well in Las Vegas, Nevada and even the Mirage Hotel is growing this beautiful bamboo and is currently ( 2005 ) reaching 1.5 inches in diameter by 24 feet tall.
I recommend this species for USDA Climate Zones 6 and warmer. 

In USDA Climate Zone 7 expect mature size canes to be over 60 feet in height.
In USDA Climate Zone 6 expect mature size canes to be over 40 feet in height.
 In USDA Climate Zone 5 it is being grown to around 18 feet with moderate top damage during winter months.

We have a "Special on Large Field Specimen"  for those of you that want an instant look of a grove. Take a look at the pictures and notice the bluish gray tint on maturing canes.   

                             Click on the picture for new photos 

       3 gallon - $75

15 gallon sizes $125 and up.
Currently available

 We delivered 100 of our large Field Specimen sizes to a  Dallas, Tx.  landscaper.
See these on this page   Our Bamboo News
Another large load of Field Specimen 15 gallon sizes went to Houston, Texas

                 WHOLESALE SPECIAL ON FIELD SPECIMENS 




Phyllostachys viridis

Phyllostachys viridis
 'PIGSKIN BAMBOO'   (P. mitis)

 Plant introduction number (PI) into the U.S. 77257
Tall Privacy Screening-- Great buy for timber bamboo

Average mature size 3.25" x  47'      Hardy to -5F     
Sun to Part Shade

     This was my first bamboo love and still at the top of our favorites. It is from China with beautiful new canes being pale green. During the first couple of years the canes will retain the pretty white powder ring beneath each nodal ring. The fastest to reach 3 inch diameter canes I have ever grown. It adapts to heavy clay based soils and the new shoots are edible and delicious! In full sun the foliage turns golden in mid to late summer months making it beautiful. The large upright culm have a minute pigskin texture.  

     The sheaths are light pale buff with green striping. There are brown spots on the new culm sheaths.  The sheath auricles and oral setae are absent.  Very drought hardy and reported to us to be doing great in Austin, Texas with all the heat.  It is just getting established in Nashville, Indiana at this time, but growth looks good so far., but has been top killed during its first three years.

     Some  clones of  viridis have been in flower for over 10 years. One of our clones is not flowering.  The same situation occurred with Ps. japonica 'Arrow' bamboo several years ago.  We have several cones of many species as insurance against such occurrences.  While many growers lost the ability to supply a non flowering 'Arrow' we did not as one of our clones never went to flower. The same is happening with P. viridis as we have two different clones of this species.

    Brad, an experienced grower in Nashville, IN.  updated us ( early Spring 2004 ) with good news on his P. viridis. The first winter he had top kill on the FS and consulted with us. He cut all dead culms to the ground and mulched heavily  which produced good results the following Spring. This past Spring and Summer he had over 200 new culms in the .75 inch diameter and 12 foot height range.  He is in climate zone 5b/6. 

Update from Brad, Sept. 29th 2004  One inch diameter canes in the 15 foot height range  in their third year. These have rebounded from total top kill for the past two winters and should really size up next year.

At the present I still  recommend this species for USDA Climate Zones 6 and warmer.  

We offer a ' FIELD SPECIMEN SPECIAL'  with this species when available.   

Click on the picture for more info or larger image.  

3 gallon - $40
 Currently available

Large Field dug divisions $90 and up when groups of ten
are purchased.

 


Robert Young

Phyllostachys viridis 'Robert Young'
 'ROBERT YOUNG BAMBOO'

Average mature size  3 " x  45'      Hardy to -5F    
 Sun to Part Shade

     The canes of this Chinese giant are buttery yellow with random green stripes. This little brother of P. viridis also grows fast, but not as quick as  the typical form.  The new canes are light green with darker green stripes. With time, the canes turn butter yellow and the stripes remain dark green. This species also like clay based soil conditions  The sheath auricles and oral setae are absent.  

    This species is doing great in the northwest. In Seattle our customers reported that it acts like a clumping bamboo more than a runner. We have no reports from foliage damage for single digit temps.  Our groves have seen plenty of windy winters with temps. into the teens with no damage.  This is a very decorative species and highly sought after. 

I recommend this species for USDA Climate Zones 6 and warmer.  

Click on the picture for more info or larger image.
 

3 gallon - $65  call
Reduced to $50

Large Field dug divisions $125 



Phyllostavhys vivax

Phyllostachys 'Giant Vivax'

Plant introduction number (PI) into the U.S. 82047

Average mature size  5" x 70'      Hardy to -5 F        
Aggressive in  full sun
 
     A very cold hardy giant bamboo similar in appearance to Japanese Timber Bamboo.  Vivax is a completely different species and we are always sold out of this species by early Spring.  I cannot keep enough of this bamboo dug up and ready.

    For a Phyllostachys it has very large leaves with deep green colors. The culm (cane) sheaths are creamy buff color with brown spotting. The oral setae and auricles are absent from the culm sheaths. Growing to 40 feet tall on Long Island, N.Y.  It has been reported to handle temperatures to -10 F.

   In climate zones 7 and warmer it is an excellent choice. If you grow this timber bamboo in colder areas such as climate zone 6, expect culm damage from
 ice and snow damage. The thin walled culm of this giant snaps with heavy ice and snow form which is common in zones 6, but it will grow to large diameters. New canes will emerge each Spring to replace any damaged ones that might occur during Winter times. It also handles salt spray well and is being grown along coastal areas throughout the U.S.
 
I recommend this species for USDA Climate Zones 7 and warmer.

In USDA Climate Zone 7 expect mature size canes to be over 40 feet. in height possibly growing to near 70 feet.
In USDA Climate Zone 6 expect mature size canes to be 30 feet in height.

Click on the picture for more info or larger image. 

3 gallon - $65
  when available


Large Field dug divisions $125 and up.

Phyllostachys vivax 'Aureocaulis'

Phyllostachys vivax 'Aureocaulis'
'GREEN STRIPE VIVAX '

VERY RARE

Average mature size  5" x  70'      Hardy to -5 F    
 Sun to Part Shade 

     A rare collector species and has not been in the U.S. long. Therefore, not many groves have been established long enough to furnish nice divisions.  Careful on your source with this one. This giant vivax has giant bright yellow canes, with occasional dark green stripes. The oral setae and auricles are absent from the culm sheaths. There is also white pin striping on many of the green leaves. As always with giant timber species, it is difficult to produce small 2 and 3 gallon sizes. That is why availability is very limited.

I recommend this species for USDA Climate Zones 6 and warmer.  

Click on the picture for more info or larger image. 

2 gallon - $40    sold out

Reduced for Sale to $95
3 gallon - regular price $125 now reduced to $95 each.   Currently available

 

Large Field dug divisions

 

 Guarantee:  If you are not satisfied with the plant within 30 days, return it for a full
 refund of the bamboo price excluding all S&H charges. We do not assume any
 responsibility for the usage or control of bamboo in your landscape.
Click here for our Policy
Shipping is $10.00 per plant on  2 and 3 gallon size plants.  Each species is different, therefore, the height of a shrub, ground cover or timber bamboo species will all be very different. All bamboo are field dug divisions. Each is held for at least a month to ensure that the bamboo is stabilized and ready for transplant. If we have your bamboo in stock, it will go out our next available shipping date. If not in stock, we can dig your order and hold it until it is stable to ship. The height and diameter will vary according to the species you select. You can e-mail for further information on your plant selections. 

Field Specimens - This plant size is too large to be shipped UPS.  Arrangements can be made for large orders to be delivered if you cannot pick them up at the nursery.  Special arrangements can be made for deliveries exceeding the 300 mile radius. A minimum two week notice is needed prior to pick up or delivery on available stock. Custom orders take 4 to 8 weeks depending on the species and season.  A  20% non-refundable deposit must be prepaid prior to delivery. Full payment is required on delivery. Certified check, money order or cash are the only methods of payment on delivery.
 
Gift Certificates available for any occasion to give this beautiful plant to friends and relatives.
        We will, to the best of our knowledge, provide you with a suitable species for your climate one. However, we do not assume any responsibility for the usage or control of bamboo in your landscape.
 
FOR ORDERING INFORMATION CLICK HERE
 205-686-5728
 
 
E-mail: roger@lewisbamboo.com
 
 

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