check that this vigorous raiser is n’t invasive in your expanse before you plant .

Erica George

Golden bamboo is a perennial with delicately textured green foliage and attractive golden - yellow stem . It is considered a running bamboo and is often set tocreate privacybetween property because it produce quickly ( often as much as 2 to 3 pes per year ) . It is one of the immediate ways to make a dense hedge or screen without imbed fully originate shrubs . It also provides bold perpendicular interest in landscape painting beds or the turn back blank space between two driveways .

golden bamboo in planters on rooftop deck

Credit:Erica George

Golden bamboo is fearless in zones 6 through 10 but is not recommend for all landscapes as it can be hard to control . It is easier to keep in check in northerly climate , but it may not be as evergreen in these zona . If temperatures devolve to 5 degree Fahrenheit or below , prosperous bamboo will likely drop its foliage , and the canes may die out — but do n’t grate . The stem will , most likely , broadcast up new canes in the leap .

Where to Plant Golden Bamboo

Golden bamboo is aboriginal to China but has been grown in the United States since the late 1880s when it was introduced in Alabama . It prefers moist , well - drain dirt and thrives in sunny spots where it can get about 6 to 8 hours of sunlight each day . you may also grow golden bamboo in partial specter or poor soil , but the event may be uneven and less robust .

Due to its height , fast growth rate , and abundance , golden bamboo is often grown as a privateness fencing or sustenance hedge . Its lush , finespun leave are large for muffling nearby sounds . When grown in snug proximity , its cane knock together and make a pleasant , soothing sound that make a melodious summation to modern , realistic , andJapanese - style garden .

Golden bamboo is considered an invading plant life in many areas of North America , particularly those with warm climate . spread out by tenacious underground radical , it apace grows beyond the original growing location . Before purchasing or planting , check with your localExtension serviceabout the invasive status of golden bamboo in your arena .

beni kawa japanese maple acer palmatum tree

Credit: Peter Krumhardt

How and When to Plant Golden Bamboo

you could plant golden bamboo in natural spring or fall ; inthe right stipulation , it will rapidly grow to full height and density in just a few eld . When establish a nursery - turn golden bamboo plant , travail a hole as deep as the plant ’s container and twice as all-inclusive as the root glob . Place the industrial plant in the hole , then backfill it with stain mixed with mulch . weewee deeply . Subsequent waterings should keep the territory moist but not soggy .

Install root barriers around these perennials when planting them in the landscape painting unless you are prepared for a seemingly countless cattle farm . Or institute each one in a large plastic pot sunk into the grunge with the rim of the pot cover 3 to 5 inches above the ground . This will serve prevent aureate bamboo from creeping into the surrounding soil . outer space your gilded bamboo plants at least 3 to 5 feet apart to accommodate future increment or all-embracing if you want a less dumb , airier flavor .

Golden Bamboo Care Tips

Light

Golden bamboo grows full where it gets full Sunday for at least six to eight hours a day , though where it bewilder very hot , some previous - afternoon spectre is beneficial . It will do very well located in partial shade , but its growth will be slower .

Soil and Water

Golden bamboo is fairly drought resistant , but optimally , it will have moist , well - drained soil . Keep it watered , but do n’t rent the soil get waterlogged . When the weather is very hot , golden bamboo may need extra watering a few times a workweek if it ’s in a container or once a calendar week if it ’s grow in the priming coat .

Temperature and Humidity

prosperous bamboo thrives in hot and humid areas , but will do fine in less - ideal conditions . It will even grow in dusty conditions , though not as quickly or as tall as it does where it ’s warm .

Fertilizer

fecundate golden bamboo in early outpouring and June 21 . In milder climates , it can also be fertilize in early fall . Since golden bamboo is a supergrass , use alawn fertilizerthat does n’t turn back gage killer , follow the manufacturer ’s instructions , or apply compost or manure .

Pruning

snub away golden bamboo ’s dead or fallible halt sporadically after it ’s established . If it ’s getting bulky , you could thin it out as take . To play up the tortoise - shell coloring of the angry walk , off leaves that grow along the lower dowry near the groundwork .

Potting and Repotting Golden Bamboo

Avoid unwanted spreading by engraft favourable bamboo in a container at least 24 inches deep and wide . The mint should be woodwind or unglazed terra - cotta with drain holes at the bottom . order the lot on a stout , impenetrable surface , such as concrete , to prevent the ground from being invaded . After planting , cover the soil surface with two inches of mulch to help it retain moisture . Water a potted golden bamboo three times a workweek during the summer , more often if the temperature reaches 90 ° fluorine , so the grunge does n’t dry out .

Pests and Problems

The main problems golden bamboo can have are root rot and sooty mold . Sooty mold is induce bypests like mealybugsand aphid . Keep your plants trimmed to let for air circulation and water at the base , not in the middle , to annul root rot .

How to Propagate Golden Bamboo

To grow favourable bamboo from a root word carving , turn out a section of cane about 10 inches long at a 45 - grade angle . It should have at least three thickening . After dipping it in settle hormone , plant the section in quality dirt up to the first node . Mist the territory day by day and fill up the nitty-gritty of the cane with water , sporadically replenish it . After a few weeks in vivid sunlight , your cane will have grow taller , and it will be ready for found in a few months .

Types of Golden Bamboo

‘Koi’ Golden Bamboo

' Koi ' golden bamboo is a uncommon mixture with halcyon cane with unripe stripes . The cane have a maximal diameter of less than 2 inches and internodal growth that gives them a knobby appearance . It ’s a great campaigner for container planting and often   grows a little slower than other miscellanea .

‘Albovariegata’ Golden Bamboo

This type of fortunate bamboo is a sturdy , bunch up potpourri with icteric cane and narrow , yellow - immature leave that sometimes have white grade insignia . It typically grows from 6 to 30 feet tall and is intrepid in zones 6 through 10 .

‘Holochrysa’ Golden Bamboo

The sturdy Holochrysa golden bamboo cane will flex from green to a shining favourable gloss much earlier than other golden bamboo cultivars , specially when grown in ample sunshine . As the Holochrysa reaches tiptop of 12 to 20 feet , its leaves will stay bright and evergreen , allow a pretty direct contrast to the yellow canes .

Companion Plants for Golden Bamboo

Acer Palmatum ‘Beni Kawa’

A stunning maple that front beautiful year - round , the ‘ Beni Kawa ’ also like full sunshine to part shade and moist , well - drained soil . It typically uprise to only 15 feet tall and is happy in zones 5 through 9 .

Hakone Grass

Carson Downing

A low - care recurrent Mary Jane , Hakone grassmakes a lovely ground cover for the shadier area leading up to your bamboo planting . It is hardy in geographical zone 5 through 9 and features slender green folio that almost look like bamboo leaves growing up from the undercoat .

Rhododendrons and Azaleas

Rhododendrons and azaleas(reclassified as genetically alike torhododendron bush ) are beloved for their glossy green leafage and brightly colour in blooms . Both rhododendrons and azalea grow substantially in partial sun but can happily take the shade that a neighboring crop of aureate bamboo may provide . They are intrepid in geographical zone 3 through 10 .

Euphorbia

Euphorbiais a heavy plant genus that include annual and perennial species . Look for gnome perennial like the ‘ Ascot Rainbow ’ to copulate with your bamboo for its leaf in showy clusters of variegated leaves that are green with yellow edge . It ’s a compact plant life , typically grow only 6 to 20 inch magniloquent , and is hardy in geographical zone 9 through 11 .

Frequently Asked Questions

If golden bamboo is incursive in your region , think implant noninvasive decorative grass instead . ' Northwind’switchgrass(Panicum virgatum ) has flimsy steel and a bold just habit . It grows 4 to 5 feet tall . ' Karl Foerster’feather reed grass(Calamagrostisxacutiflora ) , which has showy seed heads in former summer and declivity , is another native grass to consider . It grows 3 to 5 feet marvelous .

prosperous bamboo is also known as fish - pole bamboo , fairyland bamboo , and running bamboo . Its botanical name isPhyllostachys aurea .

Golden bamboo is jolly frost resistant and can more often than not survive the winter without special discussion . New planting will be the most vulnerable . If you are concerned about a cold snap fastener , you may bring container - grown works within temporarily . Just call up that your bamboo will still need ample sunshine . In - ground plantings and container - tie down planting engraft in the ground can be throw a thick layer of mulch ( up to 6 inch ) to help insulate the roots and rhizomes .

Hakonechloa macra Aureola

Credit:Carson Downing

you could , but it ’s easier to grow a clopping bamboo ( such as ' Albovariegata ' ) variety inside . If you want to develop golden bamboo indoors , employ a plenty at least 12 inches wide , and have it off that you ’ll call for to pay confining care to it to keep it tidy and thriving .

Golden Bamboo . National Invasive Species Information Center .

pjm-rhododendron-shrub-f7da2cba

Credit: Bob Stefko

helenas blush euphorbia

Credit: Marty Baldwin