Phyllostachys aurea – Golden Bamboo

A graceful and beautiful form of bamboo for the larger garden, Phyllostachys aurea is a clump-forming, evergreen, suckering bamboo with brilliant green culms (canes) which turn yellow as they mature in sun. The leaves, 7”/18cm long, are golden-green. Golden bamboo is a tough, very hardy plant, but needs shelter from cold, drying winds. This bamboo will remain clump-forming in poor, dry soils, but can become invasive in warmer, moister soils. Remove thin, spindly culms in spring; leaves can be removed to show off the culms at their best. Cut out any flowering stems. A lovely bamboo, which adds movement and gentle sound to the garden, golden bamboo holds the RHS Award of Garden Merit.

Site: Sheltered
Soil: Any moist but well-drained, humus-rich soil
Position: Full sun or partial shade
Season of interest: All year
Hardiness: Fully hardy
Height: 8-11’ (2.5-3.5m) Spread: 6’-13’ (2.5-4m) in 5-10 years