“Golden Crookstem Bamboo”

Phyllostachys aureocaulis quick facts:

• Running form of bamboo

• Average Seattle-area height: 20-25’ (in ground)

• Full sun - mostly shade

• Cold hardy and evergreen

• Low branching

• Does well in containers

‘Golden Crookstem’ bamboo is a beautiful, upright growing plant that can produce a thick evergreen privacy screen. Butter yellow canes emerge early in the spring, blushing pink, red to magenta then reverting to an orange hued, lemon yellow by Fall. It gleams in the dawn and sun setting rays and attracts a lot of compliments.

It grows well in large pots or rectangular containers. A typical 6’ x 2’ x 2’ planting box can produce 15’ canes and solid, evergreen privacy with easy care and maintenance.

Ph. aureocaulis easily handles full Western Washington sun, is tolerant of drought and evergreen throughout winter with dark green leaves.

The “crookstem” nickname is homage to the random (and fairly uncommon) zig-zag canes that emerge amongst the rest of the upright growing canes in Spring.

Growth habit

Aureocaulis is a running bamboo that requires a strategy for containment. Rectangular planters and large pots can be easier routes to a privacy screen vs. installing root barrier in the ground. It’s very important to do some forethought and study or consult a verified local expert before planting running bamboo in the ground

We’re happy to offer recommendations, send a picture of the planting area and brief summary to us at info@bamboocollective.com

Like all Phyllostachys, Ph. aureocaulis produces new shoots annually that develop into full size canes within two months. The new canes branch out and create a dense canopy of leaves over the years.

The quality of the canes lack the tensile of true timber bamboo. They have a cat tongue texture and lack the oak-like strength and wall thickness of other Phyllostachys. The trade off is that it develops faster and receives a lot of compliments.

Whichever size you start with will typically attain 3-4’ of height each year until it becomes limited by the size of the container you plant it in. Larger planting areas beget larger canes. Golden Crookstem can take 4-5 years to attain maximum height. Beginning with a medium sized/mature pot of bamboo will generally get you there a couple years faster.

Depending on your patience vs. urgency to provide a screen, running bamboo plants can be spaced every 3’ - 6’ and will eventually fill in. It takes 3 summers before for a privacy hedge to start filling in, but it’s still among the fastest bamboos in the Puget Sound region to establish and thrive.