Choosing bamboos
 The beginner could not go wrong with the easily available Phyllostachys aurea, a substantial plant between 1.8-4.5m (6-15ft), with yellow-green canes up to about 2.5cm (1 in) in diameter and fresh green leaves.
The canes of the strikingly handsome black-stemmed Phyllostachys nigra are green at first, maturing to jet black. These two varieties of similar structure have an elegant arching habit and smallish leaves of some 7.5cm (5in).
Semiarundinaria fastuosa is a very upright bamboo growing up to 7.5m (25ft); the young canes mature to a purplish brown and bear 15cm (3in) leaves. Only available from specialist nurseries, this very hardy bamboo is well worth seeking out.
 Though the majority of bamboos are tall, there are a few of medium size. Fargesia spathacea at around 3m (10ft) is a very elegant plant, with arching canes and delicate leaves. Fargesir robusta is a new introduction and of similar character.
By contrast, at around 1.8-2.4m (6-8ft), Sasapalmata nebulosa has huge leaves 25-35cm (10-14in) long and up to 10cm (4in) wide, giving it a very distinctive appearance. Though invasive, it can be easily controlled with a sharp spade; alternatively it could be grown in a large pot or tub. A smaller version of this is Indocalamus tessellatus at around lm (3ft). These have the widest leaves of any bamboo, while some of the narrowest belong to Pleioblastus linearis, which grows to around 3.5m (12ft). |
