Phyllostachys Spectabilis quick facts:

• Running form of bamboo

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

• 1.5 -2” dia canes

• Full sun - partial shade

• Can handle high winds

• Cold hardy and evergreen

• Adapts well to containers

• Dense growth provides total privacy

Phyllostachys aureosulcata ‘Spectabilis’ is a fast growing, vibrant and colorful running bamboo for a Northwest privacy screen. It can rapidly fill a raised container with bright yellow, green pinstriped canes that blush magenta in sunlight their first season.

Spectabilis [along with other forms of Ph. aureosulcata] thrives around the Puget Sound and produces vigorous growth despite the normally cool and rainy Spring weather.

Growth habit

Ph. ‘Spectabilis’ 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. ‘Spectabilis’ 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 notably faster than timber bamboo.

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. Spectabilis bamboo takes 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.