One of the largest bamboos that creates an absolutely beautiful walk-through grove, the Giant Japanese Timber Bamboo, also called Madake Bamboo, reaches heights of up to 70 feet and canes up to 6 inches in diameter. That said, only under ideal growing conditions in USDA Zones 7 and 8 that are similar to that in its native habitat, with lots of sun and good soil, will it achieve this size. Otherwise, you might expect around 50 feet height. While waiting for it to mature, Madake provides a thick privacy screen. Also excellent in indoor containers provided there are high ceilings!

One of the best bamboos to form a forest, Madake Bamboo stands up well to snow. Keep in mind that in areas where temperatures drop into the teens you might see some defoliation as you would with deciduous trees, and complete defoliation at 5 degrees F. Temperatures below 0 degrees F can cause cane death.

Giant Japanese Timber Bamboo is a running bamboo, which means it spreads. Bamboo can be controlled in a small area (a normal city yard) simply by mowing or stepping on the young shoots. New shoots of this bamboo can also be used for culinary purposes and cooked, much like asparagus. Keep in mind that running bamboo only puts up new shoots for a short time each year and, when they are "shooting," the new plants are very fragile and easy to destroy. Root pruning or installing Bamboo Root Barrier are other methods to control spread.

Click on a link below to find helpful advice from our experts on how to plant and care for Bamboo plants.

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