Best bamboo choice
For your convenience we can help you choose from the wide assortment of hardy bamboos. These are the most important species and varieties (for the West European climate). All of these bamboos already have proven themselves. They offer you the widest variety in forms, colors and uses for the garden. These species are usually in stock at the nursery, where you can see the mature plants in our garden.

Some promising new species Fargesia nitida x murieliae 'Obelisk',  Fargesia nitida x murieliae 'Schensbossen', Fargesia sp. Jiuzhaigou ‘Deep Purple’, KR5287, Phyllostachys aureosulcata ‘Argus’ en SINOBAMBUSA intermedia  are also included in the ' Best choice'. These bamboos of the future are now only available.
I
mportant: Despite their impressive names we deleted almost all varieties of Fargesias murieliae like 'Bimbo', 'Jumbo', Super Jumbo’ and 'Simba' from our recommendation list. These types usually disappoint because of their sensitivity and susceptibility to diseases. And there are now much better and more reliable non-invasive species.
The frost sensitive Phyllostachys aurea and also Phyllostachys nigra are not our recommendation list.
The most common not running bamboos judged see table below.

Fargesia robusta 'Campbell' (picture left and right) is without doubt the most beautiful and useful robusta variety. It's hardy with an erect and compact growth and that makes it a much better choice than all other varieties of Fargesia robusta. This bamboo has rather small shiny leaves. The white culmsheaths on the young shoots contrast wonderfully with the shiny, deep green culms. In he summer It drops these culmsheaths. Fargesia robusta‘Campbell is one of the best  non-invasive bamboos for hedges between 3 and 4 meters + high, but also as a solitary plant it is very convincing. It's sun-resistant, quite hardy and strikingly wintergreen, because the leaves don't curl up in winter. More information: Bamboo hedges.

Fargesia nitida  x murieliae ' Obelisk' ( pictured left and right) is a new selection with strong , closely spaced and fairly upright growing culms . The leaf color is bright green, probably due to the influence of Fargesia murieliae. This hybrid has everything to make it a good hedge. Fast growing and very hardly, resistance to mealybugs. The new shoots branch out already in the first year of growth. Height up to 4 meters+. Severe frost and open locations (not by the sea!) are easily tolerated by this species and with humus-rich soil that must not dry out, full sun can also be tolerated well. Hardy to at least -25°C. Flowering is also not to be expected in the first 100 years.

5 liter (80/110 cm ) 1 piece € 35,00 from 10 pieces -10%
18 liter (150/180 cm ) 1 piece € 35,00 from 10 pieces -10%
35 liter (200 cm+) 1 piece € 90,00 from 10 pieces -10%

Fargesia nitida (Neufeld) x murieliae 'Schensbossen' (pictured right and left) Together with 'Obelisk'  this is one of the most powerful growing hybrid. It differs with it by it's lighter green and broader leaves and thicker culms that stand further apart. This seedling was discovered in the garden of Herman de Swert, a Belgian collector.  It has at least 100 years to go before it will flower. Not sensitive to diseases. This variety has many features from the old Fargesia murieliae. It is growing reasonably upright. Good species for hedges.
The culm sheats of the new culms come off quickly, revealing the grey-blue color. Between 4 and 5 meters in height.
5 liter € 35, 10 liter € 55

'Obelisk' and 'Schensbossen' originated by crossing 2 different species (Fargesia nitida and murieliae) They carry the best characteristics of these two.

Fargesia sp. Jiuzhaigou 1 (syn. Fargesia sp. Jiu) (picture left and right) is a colorful, elegant small leaved bamboo. The erect culms can turn to red in the spring sun. This new generation bamboo is at the moment the Fargesia for smaller places. It withstands sun, is very hardy and reaches a height of 2 to 3 meters. Suited for medium high compact hedges. During winter and early spring the leaves may temporarily curl up with frost, sun and dry wind and that gives the plant a more transparent look. In April new leaves appear and for the rest of the the foliage is dense. This species has started his career at our nursery. By pruning Fargesia Jiuzhaigou 1 the height can be kept on 1 or 2 meters  or even lower. More information: Bamboo hedges.

Fargesia' Rufa’is a lush growing bamboo with bright green shiny leaves on graceful, overhanging branches. In 1995 the nursery imported this species from China and the height varies from 2 to 3 meters. 'Rufa' is one of the most hardy species, spreads quickly but is not invasive. Can be used in the sun and in shadow, as a wide wintergreen hedge, as solitary plant or in groups. This is the best species for an attempt to grow bamboo in a pot.  Shelter during winter or bury pot in the ground. The leaves don’t curl up in winter, which makes this bamboo stay beautifully green all winter. By pruning Fargesia 'Rufa  the height can be kept on 1 or 2 meters  or even lower. More information: Bamboo hedges.

5 liter (80/100 cm) 1 piece € 25,00 from 10 pieces -10%
15 liter (90/140 cm) 1 piece € 50,00 from 10 pieces -10%

Fargesia demissa 'Gerry’ In February 2004 the 'Forest Department' in Lanzhou (Chinese province of Gansu) send me small plants of Fargesia demissa. This very hardy bamboo grows on the northernmost location of Fargesia in China. The striking clone, Fargesia demissa 'Gerry', that was selected by the nursery, has an open growing habit with thick, erect culms. When young these culms are colored white with powder and later they colors from dark purple to black purple . It's easy to create a mini bamboo grove by some pruning. The winter image is transparent and the leaf curls with frost, sun and dry winds but the culms remain very decorative. Information from china learned us that Fargesia demissa is  a new generation bamboo.  For me this bamboo is the most striking new species in years. Tolerates calcareous soil. Fargesia demissa 'Gerry ' is elected by the German Bamboo Society to Bamboo of the year 2014.

Phyllostachys aureosulcata (picture left) is a superb bamboo in many ways. This species has strong green erect culms with a yellow stripe. Concerning hardiness and vigour Phyllostachys aureosulcata plus its varieties ‘Aureocaulis’ and ‘Spectabilis’ are a far better choice than the not so hardy, but much used Phyllostachys aurea (we only recommend aurea for sheltered places). For higher hedges from 5 to 7 meters or as a solitary, Phyllostachys aureosulcata is an excellent choice. The hedge should be at least one meter wide and a root barrier must be used. We strongly advise a yearly trimming and control. (picture right)  From left to right: 'Spectabilis', Ph. aureosulcata (The species), 'Argus', 'Harbin', 'Aureocaulis', 'Alata' and 'Harbin-inversa'.

Phyllostachys aureosulcata ‘Aureocaulis’. (picture left) The yellow ochre culms can get a reddish blush in the spring sun and contrast beautifully with the deep green foliage. Part of the leaves has cream-coloured lines. ‘Aureocaulis’ and ‘Spectabilis’ reach a height of 5 to 7 meters. These two varieties generate discussions : Which is mo re beautiful, stripes or no stripes?
Phyllostachys aureosulcata ‘Spectabilis’ (picture right) has the same properties as Phyllostachys aureosulcata, but with a green stripe on the flat side of the yellow culm, which gives a playful pattern. Some culms produce a bend at their base during growth.

Phyllostachys aureosulcata 'Argus' (pictured left) resembles 'Spectabilis" but has more green stripes and looks slightly greener. Ask for ailability.
Phyllostachys bissetii (pictures) has deep green culms fading to yellow-green and lush dark green foliage. This important bamboo has the reputation of being the hardiest Phyllostachys. The culms grow close together and reach 6 to 7 meters high. A good choice for exposed locations, colder regions and for places where a dense growth is required. Therefore  this species is suited for higher hedges. Minimum width of one meter and root barrier must be used, and here also a yearly trim and control.

The combination of giant growth and better hardiness we notice with Phyllostachys atrovaginata (picture left) and Phyllostachys parvifolia (picture right). To develop well these hard to multiply bamboos need a large, warm and nutritious spot. As a giant bamboo this species will be a good choice for our climate. The very thick culms can grow to 10 meters or more. Ask for ailability.

Phyllostachys vivax ‘Aureocaulis’ (picture left)  is one of the hardy bamboos most appealing to one’s imagination . The thick yellow ochre culms often have green lines and can reach a diameter of 8 centimeters and a height of over 10 meters (15 meters known in Holland!). Giant growth can only be achieved on warm, spacious places with humus soil. Sometimes a culm mutates to the form ‘Huanwenzhu’. Phyllostachys vivax and its varieties have a reasonably to good hardiness but can have difficulties in severe winters and culms may break with heavy snowfall or strong wind.
Phyllostachys vivax ‘Huanwenzhu’ is a stable form with yellow striped green culms. (picture right)  From left to right: The green form Ph. vivax McClure, 'Huanwenzhu','Aureocaulis' en  'Huanwenzhu-inversa'.. Ask for availability