This is a great little bamboo. Its hard to find a denser or faster growing privacy screen than bambusa multiplex. There are a lot of different varieties of this species to choose from. Alfonse Karr has beautiful yellow culms with green stripes.

The subspecies Bambusa multiplex riviereorum also known as “chinese goddess” has tiny leaves, giving it a dainty graceful appearance. Which ever varietal you choose, this delicate little bamboo won’t disapoint you.

Origin

China

Binomial nomenclature

Bambusa multiplex

Common Names

Hedge Bamboo

Description

Bambusa multiplex is an easy to maintain, hedge bamboo, as well as being very hardy, sub-tropical, clumping variety. It is by far the best bamboo for growing potted indoors, achieving full size in a large enough container. Small, and fountain shaped with strong 0.5” diameter canes and long narrow leaves, Bambusa multiplex quikly fills in to make an outstanding living barrier. Plant individual stands 3′-4′ apart, and the resulting screen will be better than any stockade fence for privacy. As my smallest bamboo specimen plant, it is easily shaped, and maintained as a topiary or hedge.

Diameter

0.25-0.5″

Height

8′-12′

Temperature/Zone

10° F, zone 8 or higher

Light

These love full sun. If you live in a zone lower than zone 8, then plant it in the protection of a larger tree. You’ll sacrifice growth for safety through the winter. Otherwise, full sun is good.

Water

At maturity, a large stand of this plant is very drought resistant. However, with less water the plant’s growth will be stunted. More water really does mean more growth. Standing water for any length of time will rot the rhizome of the plant, and cause it to die.

Fertilizer

All purpose fertilizer applied monthly during the spring and summer.

Pests

There is a scale insect in Florida, that specifically attacks bamboos. I use systemic imidacloprid.