Plant Min Zone: 5a
Plant Max Zone: 9a
Sunlight: Full Sun, Part Sun
Water / Rainfall: Average, High
Soil Quality: Average, Rich
Bloom Season: None
Flower Color: None
Berry / Fruit Color: None
Spring Foliage Color: Green
Summer Foliage Color: Green
Fall Foliage Color: Green
Evergreen Foliage: Yes
Winter Interest: Yes
Scented Flowers: No
Drought Tolerance: Low, Medium
Wet-Feet Tolerance: Medium, High
Humidity Tolerance: High
Wind Tolerance: Medium, High
Poor Soil Tolerance: Sandy Soils, Rocky Soils, Clay Soils
Height: 6' - 12'
Width: 10' - 15'
Growth Rate: Medium
Service Life: Extremely long: over 20 years
Maintenance Need: High
Spreading Potential: High
Yearly Trimming Tips: Trim Evergreen Bamboo only if Winter-Kill Occurs.
Plant Grouping Size: Specimen Planting of 1-3, Small Grouping of 3-5, Medium Grouping of 5-10, Mass Planting of 10 or more
Best Side of House: South Exposure, West Exposure, East Exposure, North Exposure
Extreme Planting Locations: Survives Severe Drought, Tolerates Extreme Heat, Resistant to Rabbits
Ornamental Features: Long Lasting Fall Color, Bright Winter Color, Multiple Seasons of Interest, Exceptional / Colorful Foliage
Special Landscape Uses: Erosion Control, Noise / Wind Screening
Possible Pest Problems: None
Plant Limitations: Aggressive Rhizomes / Runners, May Be Too Invasive for Garden Use, May get Occasional Winter-kill
Arundinaria gigantea is also called Canebrake (a tall thicket of any of a variety of Arundinaria) This species, along with its shorter form, 'Tecta', are the only bamboos native to the United States. It once covered huge swaths of rich bottomland along stream valleys and ravines throughout the southeastern United States but have been widely replaced by agriculture. Although still seen in small patches, it can reproduce asexually and rapidly. This adaptation that allows them to persist quietly in the shade of a forest for years and rapidly take advantage of disturbance which disrupts the overstory, such as blowdowns, floods or hurricanes. As a landscape plant, use the same as you would use oriental bamboo in large areas for a evergreen noise, wind, visual screening. Foliage is evergreen to 0 to 5 degrees F. Canes will defoliate at -5 to -10 degrees F. Canes die to the ground at -10 to -15 degrees. Root system will survive up to -25 to -30 degrees F as a perennial especially if mulched. Arundinaria gigantea usually grows 10-15' feet tall in Kansas. Every few years a grove will experience complete winterkill: it is strongly advised to cut all dead growth to the ground for aesthetic reasons and and fire prevention. The 'Tecta' form looks similar but only grows 6-8 feet tall and is tolerant of wet soil.