Carter Bamboo

Bamboo for Houston, Texas and the Gulf Coast

Prices range from $25.00 and up. Sizes range from 3 to 100 gallon. Field dug specimens are available upon request. Runners as well as clumpers are available. We currently do not ship. Giant bamboo, dwarf bamboo, blue bamboo, black bamboo, yellow bamboo, green bamboo, variegated bamboo, are all available at Carter Bamboo, your bamboo supplier for Houston, Texas and the Gulf Coast. Contact Steve Carter for questions about availability.

Bamboo List

Bamboo

Name

Description

Height/Culm dia/Temperature

Assorted runners

Many assorted runners on sale. Sizes range from 7 gallon to 30 gallon.

Various heights and sizes available, most good to 10 deg F

Bambusa chungii

- Blue Bamboo

The culms are covered in a heavy, white powder giving a “blue” appearance. A very stunning plant with a usual color in the bamboo world. This plant is in very high demand.

30' tall, 2" dia culms, good to 21 deg F

Bambusa chungii “Barbelatta”

- Blue Bamboo

The culms are covered in a heavy, white powder giving a “blue” appearance. A very stunning plant with a usual color  in the bamboo world. Great for smaller yards.

20' tall, 2" dia culms, good to 21 deg F

Bambusa dolichomerithalla “Silverstripe”

A desirable ornamental that is dark green with silver stripes and similar in form to Textilis. Long internodes that are used for making blow pipes. From Taiwan where it grows along streams. Looks best when grown in some shade.

35' tall, 2" dia culms, good to 15 deg F

Bambusa emeiensis "Flavidovirens"

Green stripes on pale green or yellow/gold culms. Still very rare in the USA.

35' tall, 2" dia culms, good to 15 deg F

Bambusa emeiensis "Viridiflavus"

Culms erect with yellow stripes alternating 180 degrees on each internode. Still very rare in the USA.

35' tall, 2 1/2" dia culms, good to 24 deg F

Bambusa eutuldoides “Viridivittata”

- Lemon Lime

Yellow culms with varying dark green stripes. New culms are peach and pink toned with green stripes, very striking. Prefers some full light. The bright colors of this plant offer a more cold tolerant specimen as an alternative to Painted.

25' tall, 1" dia culms, good to 21 deg F

Bambusa lako

- Timor Black

From Timor. Brown to black culms striped with green. Erect habit, few hairs on culm sheaths with some stripping. Similar to Gigantochloa atroviolacea, “Tropical Black”. Has branches on the lower part of the culms. This plant is in very high demand and limited stock. A must have for bamboo collectors.

50' tall, 3 1/2" dia culms, good to 28 deg F

Bambusa malingensis

- Sea Breeze Bamboo

A very attractive medium sized bamboo. The smaller leaves make it very wind resistant. Reported to be very salt breeze tolerant as well as drought hardy. Ideal for coastal areas.

35' tall, 2 1/2" dia culms, good to 21 deg F

Bambusa multiplex  'Alphonse Karr'

Multiplex is the hardiest of the Bambusa. Each node bears a large number of branches making a dense hedge. Alphonse Karr is similar to the species, but the culms and branches are bright yellow with irregular longitudinal narrow dark green stripes. New shoots and culms are often reddish. The erect culms are ornamental, leaf-free for the bottom half and form dense clumps of slightly arching branches covered with leaves toward the top. The back of the leaves has a "metallic" "silvery" look. Multiplex is the most common bamboo used for a hedge on the Gulf Coast. This plant has a more upright; "caney" look as compared to some of the other multiplex. Great for a hedge effect when overhead room is not a problem (think power-lines).

25' tall, 1 1/2" dia culms, good to 12 deg F

Bambusa multiplex "Green Hedge"

Multiplex is the hardiest of the Bambusa. Each node bears a large number of branches making a dense hedge. Green Hedge has erect culms that are ornamental, leaf-free for the bottom half and form dense clumps of slightly arching branches covered with leaves toward the top. Multiplex is the most common bamboo used for a hedge on the Gulf Coast. This plant has a more upright; "caney" look as compared to some of the other multiplex. Great for a hedge effect when overhead room is not a problem (think power-lines).

25' tall, 1 1/2" dia culms, good to 12 deg F

Bambusa multiplex “Fernleaf”

A small sized bamboo with 10 to 20 closed spaced ranked leaves. An attractive bamboo that is larger than B. m. “Riviereorum”.

20' tall, 1/4" dia culms, good to 12 deg F

Bambusa multiplex “Fernleaf Stripestem”

A form of Bambusa multiplex that has the same coloration as Bambusa m. Alphonse Karr. Very small, attractive leaves.

12' tall, 1/4" dia culms, good to 12 deg F

Bambusa multiplex 'Golden Goddess'

Multiplex is the hardiest of the Bambusa. Each node bears a large number of branches down to the culm base making a dense hedge. Golden Goddess is a dwarf form with culms that tend to be yellowish, especially when exposed to the sun. Multiplex is the most common bamboo used for a hedge on the Gulf Coast. This plant has a more weeping; "bushy" look as compared to some of the other multiplex. Great for a hedge effect when overhead room is a problem (think power-lines).

15' tall, 1/2" dia culms, good to 12 deg F

Bambusa multiplex “Riviereorum”

– Chinese Goddess

A small form of B. multiplex that is reported to be the most hardy form. It will do very well in a pot or as a house plant. It has solid culms with leaves 11/2” long. Very small attractive leaves.

12' tall, 1/4" dia culms, good to 12 deg F

Bambusa multiplex “Silverstripe”

- Lucky Silverstripe

A small form of B. multiplex that is reported to be the most hardy form. It will do very well in a pot or as a house plant. It has solid culms with leaves 11/2” long. Very small attractive leaves.

12' tall, 1/4" dia culms, good to 12 deg F

Bambusa Mutabilis

-Richard Waldron Seedling

These are seedlings were seed and brought to Texas by Richard Waldron as Bambusa Mutabilis. We are in the process of growing them out and as of this time do not believe them to be correctly identified.

Plant ID in question. It appears these will be a small, erect bamboo, not Bambusa Mutabilis.

Bambusa Odashimae

Incorrectly called "Edulis" in the USA. A native to Taiwan with large green leaves, grown for shoots. Similar in form to Oldhamii, except the culms arch out at the base, then turn upward.

35' tall, 2 1/2" dia culms, good to 25 deg F

Bambusa oldhamii

- Giant Timber

The most common giant tropical bamboo grown in the USA. Culms straight and erect with relatively short branches. Leaves are rather wide. Distinct lack of lower branching when the plant matures allows for the large culms to display. This plant will produce the largest dia culms of any bamboo that can be grown in the Houston area climate. It is a very erect, upright bamboo that has a very small "foot print". This allows the plant to be utilized in very small urban landscapes where not much horizontal room is available. It is great a specimen plant or hedge to block second story window or commercial buildings from view.

55' tall, 4" dia culms, good to 18 deg F

Bambusa pervariabilis "Viridistriatus"

- Sunburst

Recently introduced from China and still very rare and sought after in Texas. Very limited stock occasionally available. Very highly colored culms. New shoots are yellow with green stripes maturing to yellow/gold with varying dark green stripes.

45' tall, 2 1/2" dia culms, good to 18 deg F

Bambusa sp. Richard Waldron

A small, very erect bamboo that has rather large leaves for its size. Lack of lower branching makes this beauty very desirable when a small specimen plant is required. Very attractive.

10’ tall, 1/2” dia culms, good to 20 deg F

Bambusa textilis

- Kanapaha

Tight clumps. An extremely handsome plant that arches gracefully. The thin walled culms are used for weaving. This is a classic that always looks great regardless of the time of year. Can be utilized as a striking specimen or fantastic hedge.

50' tall, 2" dia culms, good to 12 deg F

Bambusa textilis “Dwarf”

– Rockledge Gardens

This is a clone of textiles that doesn’t grow above 15’ tall, making it the shortest of the species.

15' tall, 1 1/4" dia culms, good to 12 deg F

Bambusa textilis Glabra

- Silk Bamboo

Attractive and distinctive. Similar to "Gracilis", but having glabrous culms and culm sheathes. Random bluish-white bloom on culms.

30' tall, 1" dia culms, good to 15 deg F

Bambusa textilis Gracilis

- Graceful Bamboo

A beautiful all-green bamboo that has a classic Asian appearance. Foliage cascades gracefully with leaf tips pointing downward.

30' tall, 1" dia culms, good to 15 deg F

Bambusa textilis 'Mutabilis'

same as "Kanapaha"

One of the most beautiful bamboos offered. Erect, thin walled bamboo with persistent white bloom near the nodes. Long internodes and small leaves. Classic Asian appearance. A “must have” in any bamboo collection.

50' tall, 2" dia culms, good to 12 deg F

Bambusa tuldoides

- Punting Pole

The large, thick walled culms make this one of the most useful tropical bamboos. Frequently solid near the base. Prolific culm producer in a semi-open clump. This is the bamboo used for the Gulf Coasts "Calcutta surf poles" of years past. Very strong, straight culms are highly sought after for tool handles, crafts, etc.

55' tall, 2 1/2" dia culms, good to 18 deg F

Bambusa ventricosa

- Buddha's Belly

Some forms are dwarf with swollen internodes and used for potted plants, bonsai or small specimens, while others revert to a giant form. This is a very drought hardy as well as wet tolerant plant once established. The giant form is an incredible sight to behold. Huge weeping growth habit requires a large planting area. This plant can quickly become the largest plant mass in a landscape in as few as 5 years under ideal growing conditions!

55' tall, 3" dia culms, good to 18 deg F

Bambusa ventricosa “Clone X”

A vigorous clone of ventricosa that grows much bigger than the type. This is a very drought hardy as well as wet tolerant plant once established. This giant form is an incredible sight to behold. Huge weeping growth habit requires a large planting area. This plant can quickly become the largest plant mass in a landscape in as few as 5 years under ideal growing conditions!

87’ tall, 3 1/4” dia culms, good to 18 deg F

Bambusa ventricosa 'Kimmei'

Some forms are dwarf with swollen internodes and used for potted plants, bonsai or small specimens, while others revert to a giant form. Culms turn yellow with age and are striped with green. Some variegation on the leaves. This is a very drought hardy as well as wet tolerant plant once established. Used often where a large specimen is required with a large weeping habit. Great for blocking a view.

55' tall, 3" dia culms, good to 18 deg F

Bambusa vulgaris "Vittata"

- Painted

Common throughout the tropical world. Open clump, culms spaced a foot or two apart. Golden yellow culms with vertical green stripes that look like drip marks. The "buttery" yellow culms turn more golden with age. A very popular ornamental. This is the most "colorful" bamboo that can be grown in the Houston area climate. Highly ornamental specimen plant. One of the most attractively marked canes. The min temp ratings assure that some winters this plant will freeze back, but rest assured that it will re-grow quickly the next summer.

50' tall, 4" dia culms, good to 27 deg f

Dendrocalamus brandisii

- Teddy Bear Bamboo

Thick walled culms. Very large, tropical leaves. Soft brown hairs on the new culms give this bamboo its common name.

100' tall, 8" dia culms, good to 32 deg F

Dendrocalamus minor "Amoenus"

- Angel Mist

Tight clumping, no low branching. Very persistent white bloom combined with irregular culm stripes combine to present an eye-catching appearance. The smallest and most frost-tolerant Dendrocalamus.

35' tall, 3" dia culms, good to 24 deg F

Dendrocalamus strictus

- Male Bamboo

The lower parts of the culms are sometimes solid. Drought tolerant. The most common and most useful bamboo in India.

60' tall, 4" dia culms, good to 30 deg F

Gigantochloa atroviolacea

- Tropical Black

From Java and Sumatra. Purple-black culms striped with green. Weeping habit, hairy culm sheathes without stripping. Large, dark green leaves. This plant is in very high demand and limited stock. A must have for bamboo collectors.

50' tall, 3 1/2" dia culms, good to 25 deg F

Otatea acuminata ssp. Aztecorum

- Mexican Weeping

The long narrow leaves are produced in such abundance that they almost completely obscure the culms. Clumps open with culms spaced up to 1 to 2 feet apart. The small leaves give this plant a very unique appearance. A pleasing feathery fountain-like effect. This is the spectacular bamboo specimen growing against the tree house wall that awe visitors at the Mercer Arboretum and Botanical Gardens.

20' tall, 1 1/2" dia culms, good to 22 deg F