Alphabetical Plant Listing

Phyllostachys vivax f. aureocaulis (Golden Chinese Timber Bamboo)

Golden Chinese Timber Bamboo, Golden Vivax Bamboo, Phyllostachys aureocaulis, Phyllostachys vivax 'Aureocaulis', Running Bamboo


Fast-growing, Phyllostachys vivax f. aureocaulis (Golden Chinese Timber Bamboo) is a most impressive and striking, evergreen bamboo with extremely tall, upright, golden-yellow canes adorned with random fine green stripes as if hand-painted. Rich bright yellow at first, the culms become deep golden yellow before maturing to slightly orange-yellow. They bear a dense foliage of long, dark, glossy green leaves, up to 8 in. (20 cm), sometimes with a thin creamy-yellow stripe. In its native environment, Golden Chinese Timber Bamboo can potentially grow to 70 ft. in height (24 m) with 5 in. wide culms (12 cm) if given favorable conditions, but it is more typically seen at around 30 ft. (9 m) with 3 in. culms (7 cm). Tough, cold-hardy, heat and drought tolerant, this running bamboo is truly a sight to behold. It can make a spectacular garden specimen or be used to create a narrow hedge. Hardy to -4ºF (-20ºC).

  • Recipient of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society for its outstanding qualities
  • Grows up to 15-70 ft. tall (4-24 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. Protect from cold drying winds. Best planted in an open position. Should remain as a large thicket but may 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

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Requirements

Hardiness 7 – 10
Heat Zones 7 – 10
Plant Type Bamboos
Plant Family Bamboos
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early,Mid,Late)
Summer (Early,Mid,Late)
Fall
Winter
Height 15' – 70' (4.5m – 21m)
Spread 8' – 15' (240cm – 4.5m)
Water Needs Average
Maintenance Average
Soil Type Loam
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Plant of Merit, Evergreen
Tolerance Deer, Drought
Garden Uses Hedges and Screens, Patio and Containers

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 Wiert Nieuman, Shutterstock, (c) Gerhard Bock, SucculentsandMore.com

While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.


Requirements

Hardiness 7 – 10
Heat Zones 7 – 10
Plant Type Bamboos
Plant Family Bamboos
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early,Mid,Late)
Summer (Early,Mid,Late)
Fall
Winter
Height 15' – 70' (4.5m – 21m)
Spread 8' – 15' (240cm – 4.5m)
Water Needs Average
Maintenance Average
Soil Type Loam
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Plant of Merit, Evergreen
Tolerance Deer, Drought
Garden Uses Hedges and Screens, Patio and Containers

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