Phyllostachys aurea (Fish-Pole Bamboo)

Phyllostachys aurea (Fish-Pole Bamboo) is a strong but graceful evergreen bamboo with tall, upright, bright green canes changing to yellow-green with age and exposure. The smooth culms, 1 in. wide (2.5 cm), feature prominent nodes, that are often crowded and clustered at their base. For this reason, the culms have been used for walking sticks and umbrella handles in China. Vigorous, this running bamboo has a stiff upright habit with branching that is lower at the base when compared to the other Phyllostachys bamboos. The linear-lanceolate leaves, up to 7 in. (18 cm), are light green to golden-green. Tough, cold-hardy, heat and drought tolerant, Fish-Pole Bamboo is extensively used as a specimen plant or tall screen. Hardiness: 14 to -4ºF (-10 to -20ºC)

• Recipient of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society for its outstanding qualities
• Grows up to 15-25 ft. tall (4-8 m) and 8-15 ft. wide (2-5 m).
• A full sun or partial shade lover, it is best grown in fertile, humus-rich, moist but well-drained soils. Best planted in an open position. May remain clump-forming in poor or dry soils but can become invasive in warm, moist or optimum conditions.
• Great choice as an accent plant, for hedges and screens and containers.
• Virtually pest and disease free. Deer are generally not problematic.
• Remove weak, dead, damaged or spindly stems in spring and thin to show off stems to best effect. Cut out any flowering shoots promptly to discourage more from forming.
• Propagate by division in spring.
• Native to China, Japan. Phyllostachys aurea can form dense thickets that displace native species. Once this plant is established, it is difficult to remove. 
• Find where this species is invasive in the United States.
• Discover beautiful U.S. native plant alternatives.