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Yellow Groove Bamboo 'Spectabilis' (Phyllostachys aureosulcata): Striking Yellow-Sulcus Running Bamboo

Overview

'Spectabilis' is the most popular cultivar of Yellow Groove Bamboo. Its green culms have a distinct, bright yellow groove (sulcus) on alternate internodes, creating a striking striped effect. It is a vigorous running bamboo, 20-30 feet tall, very cold-hardy (USDA zone 5). One of the best for screens in cold climates.

Taxonomy & Nomenclature

Family:	Poaceae (poh-AY-see-ee)
Genus:	Phyllostachys (fy-lo-STAK-iss)
Species:	aureosulcata (aw-ree-oh-sul-KAY-ta)
Cultivar:	Spectabilis

Cultivation & Uses

Full sun to part shade; moist, well-drained soil. Hardy to -20°F. **Running bamboo** – requires rhizome barrier. Fast-growing screen. Young shoots edible. The yellow sulcus is most vivid on new culms in spring. Also used for timber and crafts.

Grasses and Bamboo: Black Bamboo (Phyllostachys nigra); Yellow Groove Bamboo (Phyllostachys aureosulcata); Hardy Bamboo (Fargesia rufa); Running Bamboo (Phyllostachys vivax); Giant Bamboo (Dendrocalamus giganteus): Towering Tropical Timber Bamboo; Robust Fargesia (Fargesia robusta): A Tall, Clumping Bamboo for Screening; Dwarf Bamboo (Dendrocalamus minor): A Small, Clumping Tropical Bamboo; Bamboo (Gigantochloa pseudoarundinacea); Bamboo (Fargesia denudata); Bamboo (Bambusa arnhemica)

Garden Articles

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Common Bamboo (Bambusa vulgaris): The Classic Tropical Clumping Bamboo

Beechey Bamboo (Bambusa beecheyana): Large Tropical Clumper with Edible Shoots

Bamboo 'Kimmei' (Semiarundinaria yashadake): Variegated Running Bamboo with Yellow Sulcus

Marbled Bamboo (Chimonobambusa marmorea): Rare Running Bamboo with Marbled Culms

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Bamboo 'Shiroshima' (Hibanobambusa tranquillans): A Striking, Variegated Bamboo for Shade

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