A handsome and vertical plant to about 35 feet. Dense and compact with small leaves, this is an excellent choice for windbreak or neighbor abatement issues. Many canes have white striations on lower portions. The identification (name) of this bamboo may change in the future but the description is accurate.

Not really white but absolutely gorgeous. Called white bamboo because the new shoots are covered in soooo much powder to appear white. Canes blueish greenish. A highly sought after and rather spectacular ornamental, it resembles bambusa textilis in habit. Thin walled, the canes are used traditionally for weaving. Please see the "About Color" page and the Blue and Black page

Depending on your cultural frame of reference, you may think of this one as the Wesley Unseld ,or the Chiyonofuji of the Bambusa species. Thick, dense, with an impressive strength, this bamboo makes an awesome windbreak, visual screen or, dare we say, nearly impenetrable pig barrier. The canes are good quality wood, but the congested nature of the clump makes extraction somewhat challenging.

A new import from western China. Culms erect with nodding tops. Used extensively for weaving and crafts, we think this has a good future in landscaping as well.

Erect with lower canes leafless. white stripes on green canes. Excellent residential privacy screen, windbreak and specimen planting.

One of our favorite bamboos for residential lots, this classically shaped plant will create an excellent privacy screen and windbreak. The new canes show green on green striping. Mature canes turn yellow with greenstripes. The clump (rarely exceeding 30 feet in height) is tight, neat and vertical, thriving in a variety of environmental conditions. An outstanding choice as a hedge or as a single specimen. Please see the "About Color" page.

Upright habit with drooping tops and long internodes. A very graceful look.

A dense, bushy plant suitable for hedging. The long, narrow leaves are variegated. Happy in wind and sun, this plant is a good choice if you need a dense, shortish screen. Variegation is best in the sun. Easy to prune to any height. If you want a visual screen in the same height range, but do not need it so dense, you might want to consider Mexican Weeping Bamboo, which is a bit shorter and seems a bit more graceful to us. UPDATE: We've had one report that this has gone 20 feet in a wet location. Please see the "About Color" page.

A dense hedge or windbreak. It is tough in any of the conditions in Hawaii, from the ocean to the cooler mauka areas.

One of the most outstanding ornamental species as a landscape speciman. A stunning plant from East Timor in the Indonesian Archipelago this species has shiny black canes with intermittent green stripes. absolutely gorgeous. This plant is so vertical it can be pruned out to resemble the form of the Japanese running bamboos - that is, when the older, smaller canes are removed from the clump, the look of an open grove can be achieved with periodic maintenance. Canes are 4" in diameter. This plant is quick to size and stature. The canes emerge green, turn rich koa brown that darken to black within several months. Looks good even in dry, windy locations. One of our all time favorites. Please see the "About Color" page. See container photo

A lovely and open clump. This plant is identified as Bambusa tulda-striata in Hawaii. We are not sure why. Though the plant has straight and strong canes, the canes are not erect. New shoots are blue and tulip shaped. Older canes are yellow with stripes. Very long internodes.

An excellent windbreak. This bamboo creates a quick, compact and dense screen for privacy. Akamai choice for beach locations as it does particularly well in wind and salt spray (ask for other beach suggestions). The hard, straight wood is a terrific craft resource and is a traditional material of choice in China for opium pipe stems. Prolific cane production, especially in its first few years, this bamboo is quick. This has good cold tolerance (20 degrees) and is a good mainland bamboo.

A traditional favorite. A beautiful visual screen, windbreak or single speciman bamboo. The new canes are pink with a green stripe, the pink fading to yellow with age and sun exposure. Takes any condition, even high winds and sea salt. Does well in containers indoors and out. Please see the "About Color" page. See container photo

Great privacy screen. Another of the many wonderful examples of the Chinese hedge Bamboos. A dark green presence in the garden, this ornamental has mature canes that are streaked with white as well as seasonally variegated leaves. Performs well in any conditions, this is a plant that will stand up to heat, sun and wind as well as rain and cool temperatures. Good indoors. Please see the "About Color" page.

A plant with great attributes. It is impervious to the wind, its shoots are edible, and the wood is of good quality. The habit is vertical and fully leafed with medium-sized dark green leaves from base to top. An excellent windbreak or privacy hedge. This bamboo is grown extensively as windbreak for citrus and kiwi crops in New Zealand. See container photo

Grown originally as an ornamental, this has become one of our favorite recommendations for privacy screen or windbreak for residential lots. Rarely exceeding 30 feet in height, Oliveriana creates a graceful column of small, dense foliage. If grown closely enough together (about 8-12 feet on center), this plant will become a living fence quickly. Excellent in dry, windy climates. Also does well in containers.

Lovely, upright, textilis-like plant. The foresters in Yunnan, from whom we obtained this plant, say that the maximum height if this plant is under 30 feet. However, this is a new introduction for us, and our experience is that sometimes plants grow taller in Hawaii. Whatever, we are liking this one a lot. New canes have blue/white powder.

ALWAYS PERFECT. No matter how many new and exotic plants we get, textilis always remains one of our most favorite. Elegant, with a classic form, this bamboo is suited to any of our island environments. Tolerates heat, wind, cold, sun, rain, and never ever has a bad hair day. The neat compact clump with small, dark green leaves nods gracefully at the top. Extremely fibrous canes are used for baskets, mats, ropes and hats. Textilis is rarely attacked by powder post beetles. One of the most beautiful ornamental speciman, hedge or windbreak species that we grow. Siliceous deposits, known as tabasheer in Chinese medicine occur in the cane internodes and are used for treatment of fevers, blood diseases and asthma. Long internodes. See container photo

If Bambusa textilis is too tall for you, and you want a similar look, this is an excellent choice. Smaller in every way than it’s bigger sister (textilis) and not quite as vertical, this plant is, indeed, very graceful, with slender canes and small leaves. Easy to maintain a smallish footprint.

A recent import from China, this bamboo is elegant, stately, compact and has the classic Asian look. Supposed to be about 35 feet tall.

Please see Bambusa longispiculata.

Prolific cane production, a strong ability to withstand heavy winds and an attractive growth habit combine to make this Chinese bamboo the akamai choice for a great many situations. In the 25-40 foot height range this bamboo is appropriate for moderately sized yards. Showy white stripes on the new culm sheaths. The compact clump retains its branches and leaves lower than many other varieties making this a good looking windbreak or privacy screen. Excellent in wet or dry locations.

This is a somewhat smaller cultivar of the green form of Buddha’s belly. Although we do not generally propagate the green form (we find that it does not “belly” reliably once it leaves the nursery) we are at least temporarily going to be propagating this cultivar because it is so very attractive. The canes emerge pink, with green stripes. There is elegant pinstriping on some of the leaves, and, at least for now, we think that this will continue to “belly” once it leaves us, maybe even in the ground. If you want a totally reliable version (with larger diameter canes) please see Bambusa wamin. See container photo

Originally from China, this is the ubiquitous bamboo of Hawaii. The giant yellow canes with green stripes will be familiar to many. A beautiful plant, if given enough room and maintained (it can become congested & rangy without occasional pruning). Not particularly good for construction. Our understanding is that Papa Henry Auwae, a most revered Kahuna la’au lapa’au, refers to this bamboo as a sacred protector of all Hawai’i. “In Java, sap from inside the culm (cane) is given for jaundice.” (Burkill, 1935, Hong Kong Bamboos). Actually we like this plant best as a container specimen where it's beautiful coloring can be observed and enjoyed. Does well indoors and out, although it will probably need to be up potted every season. Please see the "About Color" page.

With its dramatically swollen internodes this bamboo is a major ornamental landscaping resource. Rare and relatively unavailable until recently we are now offering it in increasing numbers and sizes. The specimen that we keep in our landscape is kept trimmed to about 8 feet in height and pruned to show off its special character. Wamin is sometimes mistaken as Buddha Belly (B. ventricosa), but the Wamin canes are larger in diameter. Whereas Buddha Belly will most often revert to straight caned growth when planted in the landscape, the vast majority of Wamin canes will belly reliably starting in the 2nd or 3rd year of undisturbed growth (sometimes sooner depending on what you start with). DRAMATIC and small when pruned and maintained, it can work well in residential areas. Looks ONO! Excellent smaller garden choice when maintained and excellent in beach locations. Lower elevation seems to play a significant role in how fast and how extremely the plant will ‘belly’. This will also result in shorter specimens, generally without pruning for height.

Like above but has dark green stripes on light canes.

This identification is provisional. A larger mountain bamboo from the western slopes of Nepal, this species reaches size quickly. Yet another of the powdery “blue” bamboos of the region.

A beautiful bamboo from the foothills of the Himalayas on the Chinese side. Very attractive longish leaves, somewhat drooping, this plant is lovely in containers and in the landscape. Canes sometimes turn purple/magenta. Cold hardy to 15 degrees, it does not seem to have trouble with Hawaiian summers.

Glorious!!!! Gorgeous with strongly arching canes to about 20 feet. This will for sure become a favorite both in landscape and as a container plant. Very similar to Chusquea liebmanii but a bit shorter with a leaf that is slightly broader. Almost interchangeable however. For the past several years we thought these were the same plant and only now think they are slightly different. We believe the photo in "Bamboo for Gardens" is incorrect.

For many bamboo lovers this is considered the most beautiful bamboo in cultivation. This smaller statured plant from Central America is glorious. With its masses of graceful, feathery leaves it seems like a tropical version of the Japanese Maple. Like the Japanese Maple this plant is semi-deciduous and for about 2 months out of the year – often in late winter or early spring – the foliage will turn “autumn” colors. Some of the old leaf will fall off and sometimes a few juvenile canes will die back. And then it flushes out again and becomes your absolutely favorite plant in the world. Excellent in containers. Likes filtered shade but ok in full sun where conditions are not harsh. See container photo

A new introduction to Hawaii – this beautiful plant will tolerate the cooler mauka climates very well. Beautiful in the landscape, it also produces useful canes which can be bent for furniture making similar to the willow furniture of the mainland. And for the mainland, this plant can be grown in areas that experience temperatures down to 15 degrees.

Absolutely gorgeous. We get asked about this one all the time. Another bamboo from Central America, this is taller than Coronalis. In its natural habitat it wants to clamber into trees and hang down sort of like a bougainvillea, but it can be grown freestanding, and also be kept much shorter if desired. Beautiful container plant. New Generation. See container photo

The largest of the known upright Chusqueas - up to 55 feet. A vigorous and beautiful dark green plant. If you love the look of C. coronalis, and want a container plant, this is a better bet. Does well indoors. New Generation. See container photo

Da Kine !! Please see the "About Color" page.

A large, beautiful bamboo, grown for its edible shoots and construction grade canes. Of the large leafed bamboos, this tolerates drier conditions than most. Used extensively for house and furniture construction. Quick growing. Its enormous shoots are sweet and non-astringent. A great all-around plant.

Majestic and statuesque. A dramatic specimen in the landscape, it has erect silvery canes and dark green velvety leaves. The large EDIBLE shoots are amongst the most delectable, and the mature canes are timber quality. It has been claimed that it has grown to 120 feet, though 60 feet might be as realistic an expectation. It is extremely quick - a wonderful plant to watch grow. Recent introduction to the U.S. New Generation.

Previously called Laos seedling by the ABS, this has now been, at least tentatively identified as jianshuiensis. If it is true then this is used as a construction material in southern China. Recent introduction to the U.S. New Generation.

A large leafed, beautiful bamboo. Construction grade canes, sweet shoots. In China, this is a preferred summer shoot. From ’83 seedlings. The leaves are used for wrapping rice dishes, in the Hawaiian style of Ti leaves for lau-lau. They impart a special flavor and texture. Leaves are imported from China in large quantities for Chinese New Year. We do not know if this is the only plant used for this purpose. NOTE: this is NOT the D. latiflorus that is infected with bamboo mosaic virus. That cultivar, from Taiwan, is called “Mei Nung” and is striated.

One of our best plants. This is a bamboo that manages to be graceful, exquisite and sturdy all at the same time. Small, delicate leaves are densely massed forming an impressive canopy. SPECTACULARLY QUICK GROWTH. This is a great choice for instant gratification. Does well in containers indoors and out. The shoots are edible and very numerous. Its younger canes are used for basketry & weaving, the older ones are good lumber. A plant of this species was planted at the National Tropical Botanical Garden on Kauai, across the street from the ocean, and is doing very well in that location; not showing any burn from the ocean spray. Recent introduction to the U.S. New Generation.

One of our new favorites. A beautiful single specimen or anything. The right height and configuration for many applications. Not too big – not too small – just right. Relatively erect, with nodding tops, this plant is graceful with a moderate footprint. Like Bambusa chungii, the new canes of this bamboo are covered in lots of white powder making this plant look like it has white or blue canes when the canes are new.

A new import for us. Large edible bamboo suitable for construction as well. Green canes turn burnt orange in the sun.

This is a big one. Fabulous looking large bamboo. Construction quality lumber and the shoots are said to be one of the favorites of the Chinese foresters. We think that this is the species that is used often for bamboo fiber. Altogether an exciting new plant for us.

Another of the “blue” bamboos. A very graceful and smaller ornamental for gardens, from the mountains of India. The new shoots are burgundy and the new canes are covered with a white powder that makes them appear blue during their juvenile stage. The leaves are dark green and sinuous. The slender canes have an exquisite white ring below, and maroon coloration above, each node. Wants to be in at least filtered shade. Detests arid winds. Good cold tolerance. New Generation. Good cold tolerance down to 20 degrees. Filtered shade or cloud cover. Please see the "About Color" page. See container photo

Very attractive plant for cooler elevations. Tight upright form, small delicate leaves. The cane nod at the top. 1992 seedlings.

There is currently quite a bit of interest in this genus and because of that plants that have been in the trade for years are being looked at with a more discerning eye. Periodically, the names of plants change. This is happening with considerable frequency amongst this particular group of plants.

Some years ago, individuals in both Australia and the U.S. imported these Gigantochloas from various places in South East Asia. We imported our plants from Indonesia. Most of the taxonomic identification is still in question and there seems to be considerable confusion. In an effort to help resolve some of this confusion we are, as this is being written, once again importing these plants – this time from Australia - in the hopes that we will be able to reach some kind of cohesiveness as to the identification of some of these great bamboos. By planting out species in similar conditions, we hope to be able to determine who is who. Or which is which. Whatever. This is going to take some years so do not be surprised if the names of some of these plants undergo revision in the future. The attributes of these plants will remain the same. And the attributes are many.

Regardless of what the names turn out to be this is a group of spectacular plant material – both in the landscape and as interiorscape material. They share the characteristics of large, relaxed foliage on erect and architectural canes. They do vary from one another…..Some have purple stripes on their new canes. Some have white or cream stripes. Some have variegated foliage on the new leaf. They are all spectacular and quick in the landscape. Most of these Gigantochloa seem to tolerate the hot dry winds of the leeward sides better than the Dendrocalamus'. Also, perhaps because they are naturalized to limestone areas, they seem to tolerate the sweeter pH levels than do many of the other bamboos.

GROWTH HABIT
For the first year these plants generally put out canes that grow with some degree of arc. After that time the canes are almost always very vertical. When we want the vertical look, we go back into the stand after that first year and prune out the original canes. You can see some recent pruning in the photos of Bali Bamboo White Stripe (less vertical) and Sumatra (very vertical).

One of the most important bamboo in Indonesia, this species is used for everything from building houses to curing disease. The splits are used for weaving the durable, straight canes are used for all manner of construction, and large amounts of Tabashir, an important ingredient in many Chinese medicine, are found in the lower internodes. Reported to be resistant to borers.

A stunning plant. Black canes with green stripes and large, dark green leaves combine to make this a truly exotic specimen. The shoots are edible, but this bamboo is used primarily for musical instruments and furniture. Please see the "About Color" page.

Handsome and quick growing, this multi-use plant is known as “sweet shoot” in parts of Indonesia. The strong, durable and straight canes are construction grade.

A favorite new introduction from the islands of Indonesia. The ultimate size of this plant in Hawaii is still uncertain but we are betting that it is in the neighborhood of 30 feet tall with 3” diameter canes. White stripes on canes and large leaves that stand up to heat and wind. Does well from sea level to at least 3000 feet. Good windbreak or privacy screen. Please see the "About Color" page.

A beautiful plant. Like a green parasol in the garden. Erect, with lovely white striations on a green cane. The immature leaves are variegated but they turn green with age. The new shoots are a gorgeous combination of pink and green. Longish internodes (about 15 inches). A recent introduction from Indonesia. Lovely container plant. Please see the "About Color" page. See container photo.

Bold and dramatic – a fabulous plant….One of our favorites. Gorgeous in the landscape or as a containerized specimen. Pink/purple stripes on the new canes, showiest in containers – the striations seems to be more clearly cream/white in the field. The photo is a 2 year-old plant (from a 7 gallon) grown in less than ideal conditions. We think this plant will be at least 30 feet tall, and perhaps as tall as 60 feet. The taxonomic ID is unclear, and its name will probably change in the future. (Looks like one of the medium sized psuedoarundinaceas to us, but hey, what do we know.)

Tall, very vertical and extremely statuesque, this plant sports large leaves and cream striped large diameter canes Called G.Maxima in the nursery trade, this bamboo is a significant part of the rural economy of Indonesia. This is most likely the largest form of a family of plants currently called pseudoarundinacea. As with most Gigantochloas’, Maxima is a bold and beautiful statement. Does better in drier conditions than the large Dendrocalamus’ and also, like most Gigantochloas, the quality of the wood is excellent and the shoots are edible. Please see the "About Color" page.

Cultivated in Sumatra, Java, and Bali, the straight canes are used for musical instruments, handicrafts, and construction. The shoots are edible. Erect canes of this large species are striated yellow and green. For those of you traveling to England, check out the impressive specimen in Kew Gardens. Recent introduction to the U.S. Acquired from Australia, they are uncertain of the ID but this is the one they are presently calling robusta. Large plant, large canes with cream stripes. Very nice.

Very vertical, very compact with gorgeous pink/white stripes on the new canes. We use this bamboo as a beautiful specimen, an elegant container plant and as a more esthetically pleasing version of bambusa oldhami in particular situations (low elevation, not too humid.) Fast and gratifying to grow, this plant will create a dense privacy screen, windbreak or just look great. We think this plant will be at least 30 feet and possibly taller. Please see the "About Color" page.

One of the ELITE CONSTRUCTION bamboos of the world. Strongly vertical dark green canes nodding at the tips create a beautiful and impressive stand; a gorgeous ORNAMENTAL. Thick white bands ring the base of each node. This is the strongest, most durable and rot-resistant bamboo lumber known. It has thorns. Get used to it. Once the plant is mature, and the juvenile material removed, the thorns will be well above head height. Buildings over 100 years old, framed in Guadua angustifolia are still standing in good condition and are in use in Colombia, South America. This specie, along with G. chacoensis, was chosen by the Costa Rican Housing Project as one of their 2 main plants. From their initial planting of 1750 acres they estimate they can produce 3000 homes annually RENEWABLY. That means without re-planting. We have 3 cultivars: an all green variety, a striated variety (called Bi-Color), and a “less-thorny” variety. We also have 3 different seedlings of the all green one. We do not consider them cultivars, but we do propagate them by type, and they are named instead of numbered (they are: Patrice Lumumba, Che, and Hector Lavoe)

A striated variant of G. angustifolia, the canes are green with cream/yellow stripes. See above for characteristics.

Sometimes erroneously referred to as thornless, this variant has fewer and smaller thorns than the other angustifolias. See above for characteristics.

A gorgeous alternative to Bambusa multiplex (any cultivar). This bamboo has slender canes with delicate small leaves. Lovely profile in a garden setting, the canes sometimes turn red in the sun. Most of the mountain bamboos dislike direct sun but this one can tolerate it. Fabulous for cooler mauka elevations in Hawaii and parts of the mainland. Cold hardy down to 15 degrees. Does not seem to have difficulty with hot Hawaiian summers.

A lovely and delicate looking bamboo from the foothills of the Himalayas. A graceful bamboo that is good both in containers and in the landscape. A great mauka plant, it tolerates more direct sun than many of the other mountain bamboos.

A beautiful and elegant ornamental from the Himalayas. The canes are striated green and red when new. The leaves are variegated green and white. In it’s native areas this bamboo is used for weaving. We think it is remarkable in the landscape or as a container plant. Best in cooler mauka situations or interior. For the mainland, this plant withstands low temperatures of about 15 degrees. Please see the "About Color" page.

The bluest of the blue bamboos. From the foothills of the Himalayas. Strongly upright, the canes are both graceful and elegant. New shoots are aquamarine with maroon shadings. In its native habitat this is a plant that grows under and through the existing forest canopy. When planting in the landscape this implies the need for dappled shade or afternoon cloud cover. A glorious container plant, this is also suited for areas of the mainland. It has a cold tolerance to 15 degrees. Please see the "About Color" page. See container photo

A very recent introduction form the mountains of western China. Tune in later. Supposed to be a very pretty bamboo.

An unusual bamboo in that it sets large, pearshaped, edible fruit. Used primarily for papermaking.

Gorgeous! A stunning green bamboo with delicately arching foliage. The new canes are gorgeous with white powder over subtle, smokey-blue tiger striping. Reported to be an outstanding edible shoot that can be eaten raw. One of our absolutely favorite new plants and beautiful in containers. Very new and very rare – from Papua New Guinea. See container photo

We believe this is the CANOE PLANT that the Polynesians introduced to the Islands of Hawai’i. Found throughout the islands of the Pacific, it forms an upright clump with exposed lower canes. It has long internodes and is thin walled (suitable for splitting). This is the bamboo that is traditionally used for nose flutes and hula implements. This is likely not the same plant that is identified as S. glaucifolium in Australia.

A fabulous and unique looking plant that thrives in the sun. Tolerates both sea spray and periods of dryness. The finely divided foliage is light to medium green and the canes turn purple in the sun and sometimes the rain. One of our most popular plants. Does well in patio containers as well as indoors. Good wood (solid canes) and an edible shoot. Easy to prune to desired height or shape. New Generation. We have old stock and new seedlings. On the mainland (USA) the nursery trade feels that they are the same. We think that we see a slight difference (see photo), at least in this juvenile stage. The seedlings may have a slightly shorter and a slightly darker green leaf. Because of this, we are listing them separately on our price list.

new generation 1999 -2000. this seedling population, identified as mexican weeping bamboo by both the nursery trade and taxonomists, seems to have a slightly broader and shorter leaf than the plants we have had under propogation for the past decade. to some extent, this is a juvenile phenomenon. after the first year, the leaves do get longer and thinner. however, we do not know as of now if they will be identical to the previous batch of plants. they are extremely vigorous. on the kona coast, we have had 2" pots send up 8' tall shoots within a year. excellent dry side material, they do not require copious amounts of water. we are posting a photo of the not quite juvenile and not quite mature leaf in the hopes it will help clarify things.

A beautiful new introduction from Mexico. Similar in form to its smaller cousin Mexican Weeping Bamboo, this bamboo is slightly taller. Thrives in the same dry windy conditions. New canes have lots of powder, making the canes look silver/blue, hence it’s name.

Commonly referred to as the ‘wine bamboo’, this plant grows in almost any conditions here in Hawaii. Originally from the savannas of tropical Africa, this plant is relatively drought tolerant for a bamboo, becoming semi-deciduous in dry conditions. Looks beautiful in moist and humid conditions. Though called the wine bamboo, the alcoholic beverages brewed from this plant are more similar to beer.
Tapping Enjoying

This genus flowers a bit, regularly, generally twice a year. This is their normal cycle. It does not mean that the plant is dying.

A stunning plant from Indonesia. Erect butterscotch yellow canes with intermittent green stripes and large, languid dark green leaves (with white stripes), combine to make this one of the most beautiful and spectacular of all our landscaping specimens. Good in containers as well. Please see the "About Color" page. See container photo

A very recent introduction from Indonesia. Dr. Widjaja says that it is thought to be sacred by the local populace, who regard it as protection against snakes and tigers. We wonder what else it will work on.

Please see 'Ohe Kahiko.

This is a bamboo that does it all. Highly esteemed for its vertical grace and beauty, its construction grade canes are thick walled, straight and strong. The lower sections are often solid. Its growth habit is compact and upright, and its edible shoots are delicious. A major commercial bamboo in Thailand (the shoots are exported to Japan), it is also grown extensively for ornamental landscape use. Does well in the wind, good in sun or shade. New Generation. See container photo