Bamboo Trees can be separated into two general types: running and clumping. Clumping types of bamboo grow just as the name suggests – in a big clump of grass that mainly grows up and stays put where you’ve planted it. This is the recommended type if you want a well-behaved bamboo stand in your garden that you don’t have to worry about spreading too far.
Running bamboo, on the other hand, will spread like crazy if not kept in check. It propagates by sending out underground runners, called rhizomes, which send up new shoots elsewhere. These rhizomes can travel more than 100 feet (30 m.) before sprouting, meaning your new bamboo patch may suddenly become your neighbor’s new bamboo patch as well.
Phyllostachys nigra, commonly known as, black bamboo, is a species of bamboo, native to the Hunan Province of China, and is widely cultivated elsewhere. Growing up to 25 m (82 ft) tall by 30 cm (1 ft) broad, it forms clumps of slender arching canes which turn black after two or three seasons. The abundant lance-shaped leaves are 4–13 cm (2–5 in) long.
Golden Goddess is a species of bamboo native to China. Medium-sized clumps with slender culms (stems) and dense foliage. This bamboo is suitable for hedges and live fences since the stems and foliage form a dense growth that creates an effective barrier. Bambusa multiplex is an evergreen Bamboo growing to 4.5 m (14ft) by 5 m (16ft) at a fast rate.
Culms are thick-walled and straight, making them useful for many purposes. Under ideal conditions, it can grow to 55′ tall and 2 ¼” in diameter. Olive green, shiny, upright, and full foliage from bottom to top when mature. This species is adapted to grow in a wide range of climates and can survive temperatures as low as -7°C
Native to India, this strong variety is used for construction, crafts and food. Clumping bamboos have underground stems that sprout vertical shoots much closer to their parent plants, growing slowly outward. Bambusa balcooa is a plant of the lowland tropics, where it can be found at altitudes up to 600 metres. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 22 – 28°c but can tolerate 9 – 35°c.
Alphonse Karr is a small yellow bambusa multiplex bamboo perfect as an ornamental feature or a privacy screen in garden beds or pots and troughs. It has beautiful green and gold striped culms with attractive bushy green foliage. Alphonse Karr will naturally grow between 3 – 4mtrs in height and can be easily trimmed down in height if need be. Probably the best-looking of the hedging bamboo, Alphonse Karr always attracts attention.
Dendrocalamus asper is a subtropical dense clumping species native to Southeast Asia. This timber bamboo is used as a building material for heavy construction, and shoots are consumed as a vegetable. This species of the genus Dendrocalamus grows 15–20 m tall, and 8–12 cm in diameter. This timber bamboo has traditionally used as a building material for heavy construction due to the fact that its culms are large in diameter and very straight, and its young shoots are consumed as a vegetable.
Phyllostachys aurea is a running type of bamboo, belonging to the diverse Bambuseae tribe. It is native to Fujian and Zhejiang in China. It is commonly known by the names fishpole bamboo, golden bamboo, monk’s belly bamboo, and fairyland bamboo. Golden bamboo is one of the better behaved Phyllostachys, though still requiring root barrier if planting in the ground. A popular choice for a more subtle colour effect, like all bamboo it requires loads of moisture to thrive.