Bamboo has been used by mankind since pre-recorded history. Its uses are for food, shelter, tools, warfare, aqueducts, utensils, fuel, privacy screens, and ornamental landscaping, to name a few. Bamboo has become very popular in the last 10 years as a landscape plant in the United States. It is classified as either running or clumping. Running bamboo is the most widely used type of bamboo and consists of hundreds of varieties. The stalk of a bamboo is called a culm. The culms range in color from green to gold to black and some are striped. However, all bamboo have green leaves with the exception of a few varieties with green leaves and gold stripes. Running bamboo should be planted in an area where it can expand in a 360* spread, and it can continue to expand indefinitely. There are forests of bamboo in China, India, and Australia. It can be prevented from spreading by installing an 18-24" deep root barrier around the desired growing area. All of the running bamboo offered by Willis Orchard company are cold tolerant to -5*F or more. The clumping bamboo are not as cold tolerant as the running bamboo, unfortunately. Most clumping varieties are cold hardy to 10*F or so. The clumping bamboo also spreads in a 360* pattern, however, the culms grow much closer together and typically expand to only 10 to 20 feet. It can also be contained by a root barrier, if desired. Both running and clumping bamboo grow well in containers and make nice ornamental displays. Bamboo can tolerate moderate light, so many shopping malls, office buildings, and municipalities use them in large planter boxes. Generally, when grown in containers, the bamboo roots are restricted so it does not reach its full natural size. As previously mentioned, there are hundreds of varieties of bamboo, Willis Orchard Company offers a few of the best selections for ornamental purposes.

Clumping Bamboo Plants

	Alphonse Karr Bamboo Plant The Alphonse Karr bamboo is a bright yellow-green striped bamboo, with stems that are up to 1.5 inches in diameter. It has green foliage, and is hardy to 16 degrees, able to grow 25 to 35 feet tall. click here for more information and prices. Will grow in zones: 7 - 10

	Golden Goddess Bamboo Plant The Golden Goddess bamboo is a beautiful bamboo plant with golden foliage and stems up to 1/2 inch in diameter, that is cold hardy up to 15 degrees. Golden Goddess bamboo is smaller, growing only u... click here for more information and prices. Will grow in zones: 5 - 10

	Willowy Green Bamboo Plant Bambusa Multiplex 'Willowy', also known as the Willowy Bamboo, is a feathery bamboo, with canes that can grow 12 to 16 feet in height. As the bright green leaves continue to grow, the weight of the... click here for more information and prices. Will grow in zones: 7 - 10

Running Bamboo Plants

	American Native Bamboo Plant The American Native Bamboo is a popular tree, able to grow to heights of 20 to 30 feet. It has a beautiful, dark golden brown color, which is popular when planted in the landscape due to its beauti... click here for more information and prices. Will grow in zones: 7 - 10

	Black Bamboo Plant The Black Bamboo is an attractive bamboo, with black stems, and a running habit. It makes an excellent specimen plant if the roots are contained by underground barriers. Black Bamboo can grow to he... click here for more information and prices. Will grow in zones: 7 - 10

	Blue Henon Bamboo Plant The Blue Henon Bamboo plant, which came from China circa 1909, features an unusual pale-gray to blue-green color. The canes of Blue Henon can get to around 3 inches in diameter, and grow up to 40 f... click here for more information and prices. Will grow in zones: 8 - 10

	Golden Bamboo Plant Golden Bamboo is a large growing bamboo plant, able to reach heights between 16 to 40 feet, and around 1 to 6 inches in diameter. The canes, as with all other bamboo, are hollow with solid joints. ... click here for more information and prices. Will grow in zones: 8 - 10

	Japanese Timber Bamboo Plant The Japanese Timber Bamboo, also known as Phyllostachys bambusoides, has thick walls and the capability to reach heights of 60 feet, or even larger on older clumps. The stalks of this bamboo plant ... click here for more information and prices. Will grow in zones: 8 - 10

	Moso Bamboo Plant The Moso Bamboo plant originated from China, and other far eastern countries. Generally, Moso is a very slow grower for the first few years of its life, showing almost no growth, then it will rapid... click here for more information and prices. Will grow in zones: 8 - 10

	Robert Young Bamboo Plant The Robert Young Bamboo plant, Phyllostachys viridis, is a beautiful bamboo specimen, which can grow in zones down to -5 degrees F. It has a maximum height of around 45 feet, with a diameter of abo... click here for more information and prices. Will grow in zones: 6 - 10