Giant Bamboo Species
Vivax Bamboo
P.vivax – Vivax is the second largest of the cold hardy bamboos. Canes can get up to 6 inches in diameter and 65 to 70 feet tall. Smooth, deep green canes make an impressive grove to walk through.
Moso Bamboo
P. edulis -Moso is the largest of the cold hardy bamboo. It can get up to 7 inches in diameter and 75 feet tall. With tiny leaves and a velvet like feel on new cane. vivax bamboo is the holy grail for bamboo lovers.
Japanese Timber Bamboo
P. bambusoides – Japanese Timber Bamboo is very similar in look to Vivax. They grow to abou the same size but Timber bamboo has thicker walls making them ideal for construction.
Black Stripe Bamboo
Black Stripe Bamboo has a look similar to Giant Gray Henon, the primary difference are the dark brown to black stripes on alternating sides of the internodes. Canes can get up to almost 4 inches in diameter and 55 feet tall.
Castillion Bamboo
One of my favorites, Castillion bamboo can get almost 4 inches in diameter and 60 feet tall. The canes are bright yellow with green stripes on alternate sides of the internodes. A beautiful giant that really stands out.
Giant Gray Henon
Giant Gray Henon is distinct from all the other giants with gray canes that give a grove a ghostly look. I can always spot this species from a distance by the beautiful gray color.
Sweet Shoot Bamboo
Sweet Shoot is supposed to have the best eating shoots. The canes get up to 3 inches in diameter and 40 feet tall. They often have a wavy, sinuous look. This is another one of my favorites.
Houzea Bamboo
Houzeau is a big green bamboo with yellow stripes on alternate sides. It has somewhat curvy canes and get about 3 inches in diameter and 45 tall. Canes are good for construction and reach full size fairly quickly.
Incense Bamboo
Insense bamboo is called this because its supposed to have an insense smell when scratched. I’ve never been able to smell it. The canes grow up to 3 inches an have a distinct, compact look. An excellent timber bamboo with strong, straight canes.
Pigskin Bamboo
This bamboo gets it’s common name from the dimpled surface texture of the canes, much like a football. The culms have a light yellow stripe on alternate sides of internodes.