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North Florida Botanical Society
4700 SW 58th Drive
Gainesville, Florida 32608
http://www.kanapaha.org/
Return Service Requested
2015 Bamboo Sale
Bamboo Gift Certificates Are Now Available!
KANAPAHA BOTANICAL GARDENS’
33rd Annual Bamboo Sale
January & February 2015
KANAPAHA BOTANICAL GARDENS’ ANNUAL WINTER BAMBOO SALE
The bamboo garden at Kanapaha Botanical Gardens hosts the state’s largest public collection of bamboo
species. When surplus is available, it is offered for sale on a ‘dug-to-order’ basis to generate income for the
Gardens, a nonprofit facility.
Growth Forms
There are 2 basic bamboo growth forms. Clumping bamboos grow as expanding clumps of densely packed
canes, whereas running bamboos send out long underground ‘runners’ and develop thickets. Both make
excellent visual screens. The spread of running bamboos can be curbed by subterranean barriers or, more
simply, the removal of unwanted shoots (which are edible in many species) when they appear each spring.
Because they are tropical, clumping bamboos suffer more damage than running bamboos, when exposed to
temperatures below 15 degrees F, but they are not normally killed. All bamboos listed are cold-hardy and
(except in extremely severe winters) evergreen.
bamboos belonging
to the genus Bambusa grow from a rhizome system
that annually produces new canes at the immediate
outer margin of the dense stand to produce an
expanding clump. Because they spread more slowly
and because they are so visually impenetrable, many
homeowners prefer them for visual screening as well
as visual accents in the landscape.
CLUMPING BAMBOOS,
like
the elegant White Bamboo,
Phyllostachys nigra ‘Henon,’
produce loose thickets or “bamboo
forests” that can be walked
through. Their rhizome systems
grow in all directions and
intermittently send up shoots to
produce this effect. They are potentially invasive but can be limited by subterranean
barriers (concrete, heavy plastic liner, etc.) two feet deep or, more simply, by annually
mowing down unwanted shoots when they emerge.
RU N N I N G BA M B O O S ,
Growth Habits
For approximately 10 months annually, almost no growth occurs in the above-ground portion of the plant as
it puts its energy into rhizome growth. Then, during the 2-month ‘shoot season,’ new and larger canes
emerge, often with phenomenal speed (almost 2 inches per hour in one species) that makes bamboo the
fastest growing of all vascular plants. Running bamboos produce their shoots in early spring; clumpers
shoot in the summer. Individual canes live for an average of 5 to ten years and attain maximum strength
(for construction purposes) at ‘middle age.’
Transporting Bamboo
It is the responsibility of the buyer to cover their bamboo with a tarp during transport. BAMBOO
NOT COVERED DURING TRANSPORT MAY BE KILLED!
Transplanting Bamboo
When transplanting bamboos, it is important to keep the rhizome system moist and to prune off the upper
portion of the canes (above the 4th branch-bearing node; we will provide this service when digging bamboos
for sale). It is helpful to enrich the planting site with peat or composted organic matter to enhance the soil’s
capacity for moisture retention. Transplanted bamboos should be watered regularly for the first 3 months to
ensure successful establishment. All species sold during our annual winter bamboo sale will tolerate some
shade but grow best on sun/shade mix. A detailed planting and maintenance guide will be provided with
each order.
Buying Bamboo
Bamboos likely seem expensive to those unfamiliar with their propagation. The cost is attributable to both
demand and the fact that most species cannot be readily propagated from cuttings and seeds are rarely
produced (once every 120 years in one species we display). Thus, propagation is accomplished by digging
and cutting apart the woody rhizome system, a process akin to dismantling a subterranean network of twoby-fours. Because this sort of propagation is labor intensive, prices are higher than for nursery-grown
species and almost no nurseries stock them. Please keep in mind that it is the rhizome system (“root ball”)
that you are paying for. Because we sell locally, we keep the canes attached so buyers have something to look
at right away; but the “soul” of a bamboo plant is its subterranean rhizome network that will send aloft new
canes each shoot season.
K A NA PA H A B OTA N IC A L G A R DE N S ’ 3
* Size (gal.) Indicates the capacity of a standard nursery pot into which the rhizome mass (“root ball”) would be potted if sold as nurs
** NA = Not Available.
Clumping Bamboos
5 gal* 15 gal 20 gal
FERNLEAF BAMBOO (Bambusa multiplex ‘Fernleaf ’) is a CLUMPING bamboo whose tiny
ornate leaves are suggestive of fern fronds, making it an outstanding accent plant. Grows to a
height of 20 feet in sun/bright shade. Very limited!
100.00 NA** NA
CHINESE GODDESS (Bambusa multiplex ‘Rivieorum’) Very diminutive cultivar of the
CLUMPING Hedge Bamboo. Solid pencil-thin canes only 8 ‘-12’ tall bearing delicate leaves.
Sun/bright shade.
55.00
NA
NA
GOLDEN GODDESS (Bambusa multiplex ‘Golden Goddess’) is a medium size version of the
larger hedge bamboo. It attains a mature height of 15’. Excellent visual screen in sun/bright
shade.
NA
60.00
NA
HEDGE BAMBOO (Bambusa multiplex) is the horticultural standard for visual screening. A
CLUMPING bamboo for sun/bright shade. Grows to height of 30 feet.
NA
55.00
NA
STRIPESTEM BAMBOO (Bambusa multiplex ‘A lphonse Karr’) is a beautiful
CLUMPING bamboo whose golden yellow canes bear green pinstripes. Grows to 30 ‘ and
prefers sun/bright shade.
NA
60.00
NA
SILVERSTRIPE BAMBOO (Bambusa multiplex ‘Silverstripe’) Similar to hedge bamboo with
one notable exception: Its new spring leaves have an abundance of longitudinal white stripes;
these become less distinct as the growing season progresses. This CLUMPING bamboo grows
to 30 feet and grows best in sun or bright shade.
NA
60.00
NA
GRACEFUL BAMBOO (Bambusa textilis ‘gracilis’) is a slightly smaller version of Wong Chuk
Bamboo for use in more limited spaces. Perfectly straight 2” diameter canes to 40’; lower third of
canes devoid of branches. This is one of the cold-hardiest of the giant species. Sun/bright shade.
NA
NA
275.00
WONG CHUK (Bambusa textilis ‘Kanapaha’) is an elegant giant CLUMPING bamboo in a
class of its own. Perfectly straight 3” canes to 50’; lower third of canes devoid of braches. This is
the cold-hardiest of the giant species. Sun/bright shade.
NA
NA
265.00
BLUE BAMBOO (Bambusa chugii) is a giant CLUMPING bamboo whose canes have a
dense white powder coating that gives them a bluish cast. 40' with 2.5' diameter canes; no leaves
or branches on the lower portions. Sun. Limited quantities.
NA
NA
385.00
BUDDHA’S BELLY BAMBOO (Bambusa ventricosa) is a giant CLUMPING bamboo
whose canes are slightly zig-zagged at the base; its crowns bear foliage in such profusion as to
resemble giant green ostrich plumes. Grows to 55 feet with 3” thick-walled canes. Sun.
NA
NA
185.00
3 rd A N N UA L W I N T E R BA M B O O S A L E
sery stock. In fact, all plants are sold bare root with the “root ball” bagged in plastic and approximately 1/2 of each cane clipped.
5 gal* 15 gal 20 gal
STRIPESTEM BUDDHA’S BELLY BAMBOO (Bambusa ventricosa ‘Kimmei,’) Is a giant
CLUMPING bamboo like the Buddhas Belly Bamboo , but has yellow canes bearing dark green stripes. 55’ with 3”
canes. Sun. Limited quanities.
NA
NA
185.00
SEA BREEZE BAMBOO (Bambusa malingensis) has no accepted common name but makes an
impressive visual screen in sun/bright shade. It is a large CLUMPING bamboo (50 feet or more) NA
whose canes may attain a diameter of 3 inches. Limited quantities.
NA
185.00
Running Bamboo s
5 gal* 15 gal 20 gal
BLACK BAMBOO (Phyllostachys nigra) is a RUNNING species that is considered by many NA
to be the world’s most beautiful bamboo. Mature canes are jet black. 20’. Sun/bright shade.
Quantity limited.
115.00 NA
WHITE BAMBOO (Phyllostachys nigra var henonis) is a RUNNING species that grows to NA
around 40’. Canes have a powder white coating. Sun/bright shade.
120.00 NA
Bamboo is dug fresh and not sold in pots
Bamboo will survive indefinitely in pots, but you will see little growth of the plant over long time periods. Keeping
bamboo in pots stunts its growth and the canes will never achieve their maximum size. This is mainly caused by the fact that
bamboo needs a lot of space and soil to send out new rhizomes and shoots, something that is not readily achieved in pots.
The net effect of bamboo in pots over time can be a network of tiny fibrous roots that have grown in but no real large
substantial roots needed to really allow the bamboo species to quickly take off once planted in the ground.
Bamboo from Kanapaha is dug fresh after it is ordered, directly from the parent plant. Most canes on the plant will
be the maximum size diameter for the bamboo species mirrored by a large corresponding rhizome system attached. Our 15
and 20 gallon sizes are about as heavy as you can lift with no extra dirt or weight surrounding the root system. What you are
really paying for with bamboo is the rhizome (root system), that is the "soul" of the plant that will send aloft new canes for
years to follow.'
HOW TO ORDER BAMBOO
Orders for bamboo may be phoned in to 352-372-4981. Buyers will be advised of the date orders will be
ready for pickup. Payment is needed when plants are ordered and no refunds will be issued after the plants
have been dug. Since demand for some species may exceed availability, orders are prioritized by date of
scheduled pick up. The Bamboo Sale is in January and February only. The last day for ordering bamboo
is February 23rd and the last day for picking up bamboo is March 1st.
Order early. Supplies are limited!
FREQUENTLY
ASKED
QUESTIONS
Why do bamboos excel as visual screening?
The plants most commonly utilized for
visual screening are evergreen shrubs bearing densely
packed leaves. As shrubs grow upward, they produce
most new leaves at the top of the plant and this leaf
cover tends to shade out leaves below. The effect is a
“leggy” plant; one with vegetation clustered at the top
and exposed branches below. Through time, the
leggy portion constitutes more and more of the plant
making it possible to see through the lower portion
of what was once an effective visual screen.
With bamboos, it is the stems (canes)
themselves that provide the bulk of the low screening
with foliage providing screening above. The
appearance of new canes each season increases the
plant’s effectiveness as a visual screen. Because the
canes of clumping bamboos are more closely spaced,
many prefer them. Still, a running bamboo will
provide the same screening effect in time, though
more space is required. Both will produce about the
same number of canes annually, but they are more
widely spaced in running species.
If bamboos are so fast growing, why is
mine just sitting there?
Even though bamboos are, overall, relatively
fast growing plants, their reputation derives from
the rate of elongation of individaul canes - not from
the number of canes produced. This important
distinction is at the root of a misunderstanding that
sometimes leads to unrealistic expectations on the
part of first time buyers.
Bamboos only produce new shoots during a
roughly 2-month “shoot season” once each year. This
is in early spring for running species and mid
summer for clumping types. Even though newly dug
running bamboos will mount an effort to produce
new canes when we dig them each winter, they put
most of their energy into recovery from the digging
and transplanting process and usually produce
relatively small canes. The first year effort of
clumping types will be a bit more rewarding, but
even they are still recovering in midsummer when
their shoot season begins. The first substantial
showing for either type will come during their
second year and the response thereafter is so
impressive that you'll soon forget any
disappointment you experienced the first year.
Bamboos are one of a number of plants for which
there is an applicable adage: “The first year they sleep,
the second they creep and the third they leap,” except
that the leaping often begins the second year.
How far apart should bamboo clumps be
spaced for visual screening?
This depends on which variety of bamboo is
involved, since larger varieties expand more quickly
than smaller types. For visual closure within 3 years,
we recommend the following spacing of clumps for
the types of clumping bamboos we are offering:
Buddha’s Belly, Wong Chuk ---8 feet. Graceful, Blue
--- 6 feet. Hedge, Silverstripe, Stripestem ---4 feet.
Golden Goddess---3 feet. Chinese Goddess,
Fernleaf ---2 feet.
Can the bamboo clumps be subdivided at the
time of purchase?
This is not advisable since we custom dig
each clump to try to insure each has enough rhizome
mass (root ball) to survive and subsequently thrive.
We recommend waiting at least three years before
dividing bamboo clumps.
How far away from a fence, building or other
structure should a bamboo plant or screen
be planted?
This is not a question that can be answered
generically. Bamboo clumps continue to expand --more slowly with age--- throughout their lifetimes.
Thus, a Hedge Bamboo planted eight feet away from
a fence will eventually reach the fence, but not as
quickly as one planted six feet away. Larger varities
fill in more quickly and smaller types more slowly.
The question is better rephrased: How many years of
maintenance-free bamboo screening do I want
before the prospect of controlling rhizome growth in
the space separating the bamboo and wall?
Replacement
Policy
Fernleaf Bamboo has leaves that are elegant, tiny and closely
spaced, giving its branches a fernlike appearance.
Wong Chuk (Royal) Bamboo, Bambusa textilis ‘Kanapaha’,
is an exceptionally beautiful giant clumping bamboo because
the lower halves of its huge canes are naturally unbranched. It
is also known as Weaver’s Bamboo because its thin walled
canes are easily split into strips that can be woven into baskets
and other products. It along with Graceful Bamboo is the most
cold-hardy of the giant species being sold.
In general, we will replace bamboo that has
died within 6 months of the date of pick up
provided buyer provides receipt of
purchase and returns the entire dead
specimen. Bamboo that dies after February
will be replaced the following year since we
only dig bamboo during its optimal
transplanting time in January and February.
However, decisions regarding replacement
are made on a case-by-case basis to insure
that Kanapaha Botanical Gardens is the
party at fault. We are not responsible for
the replacement of plants that, for example,
are not adequately covered/protected
during transport and prior to planting,
planted outside of their suitable biological
living range or that show signs of obvious
neglect. Kanapaha's staff is skilled in the
selection and excavation of the clumps we
sell and survival is nearly 100% if the plants
receive proper care. Therefore, we will not
assume responsibility in situations where a
large proportion of a bamboo order dies, as
this suggests they received inadequate care
after purchase. We sell bamboos that grow
well in north Florida under normal weather
conditions and cannot be held responsible
for losses caused by extreme and unusual
weather events or other natural
phenomena beyond our control such
as running bamboos dying back after
flowering or ornamental varieties of
bamboo reverting back to their
original form.
BAMBOO WORKSHOP
Kanapaha Botanical Gardens annually offers a bamboo workshop to acquaint
homeowners with the bamboos. This workshop includes an introduction to
Kanapaha’s bamboo collection and information on the cultivation, propagation,
and landscape utilization of bamboo species in North Florida. You are invited to
this year’s workshop.
Saturday, January 24th
1:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Admission: Free for Members.
Regular Admission Fee for Non-Members.
($7 adult, $3.50 ages 6-13 plus tax)
To register or for more information, call 352 372-4981.
Bamboo workshop Gift Certificates available!
Delivery & Planting
Pre-arrange to get your bamboo delivered and planted for you!
Call us at 372-4981 if you would like to arrange this service.
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$80 for delivery within a 20 mile radius of Kanapaha
for up to 10 clumps per load.
$50 more for each additional 20 miles. Restrictions do
apply, please inquire.
$20 to plant a 20 gal bamboo plant.
$10 to plant a 5 or 15 gallon bamboo plant.
Bamboo Gift Certficates are
now available!