Phyllostachys decora                                           
    "Beautiful Bamboo" 

     Phyllostachys decora is a tall, evergreen bamboo with dignified culms that stand up straight to all but the most inhospitable conditions. It is recognized by many as the premiere bamboo for creating lush, evergreen screens in very hot, arid climates such as southern California, Arizona, and Texas. It should be watered on a fairly regular basis and provided with a layer of rich topsoil to spread into.
    Native to the Yangtze valley, in China, Beautiful Bamboo has earned it's name due to full-bodied, green foliage, upright culms, and the new shoots bearing vibrant, multi colored striping (see photos). Tones of lavender, orange, and green align in vertical arrangement on the outer covering of the young culms. This can be witnessed every spring from April into June, as a multitude of new shoots emerge from the ground.
   The vigorous growth inherent to P. decora, assures a tidy, vertical screen within 5 years, if following a maintenance plan. (see care and maintenance). It's versatility and extreme cold hardiness allow this fine bamboo to be utilized just about anywhere in the United States. It  grows reasonably well in a shady location, but will flourish under the hot sun.

© Noah Bell, Shweeash Bamboo

© Noah Bell, Shweeash Bamboo