Bambusa, Dwarf Golden Hawaiian Bamboo, Painted Bamboo, Striped Bamboo 'Wamin'

All newcomers to our yard comment about this funky bamboo. It is beautiful and is a natural habitat for ladybugs. The ONLY downside is th...Read Moreat it sheds a LOT of leaves year-round.

This is particularly attractive and sought after form of B vulgaris. It must be pretty rare as I have yet to see a nice specimen growing...Read More in So Cal. I have only seen it growing in Thailand and Florida, though I'm sure someone has it here. It is a slow dwarf (only grows to about 15' tall) with uniquely swollen internodes giving it a wonderful corragated look. If you want a cool bamboo with swollen internodes, this is it. Avoid B ventricosum- that one only swells if stressed, and then the rest of the plant doesn't always look so good.. and if you don't stress it, it becomes a monster. This one is easy to control. In fact, some think it's too slow.