Golden Fishpole Bamboo – Phyllostachys Aurea – 3 Gallon Pot (4-6′)

Type: Running

Height: Zone 6: 15′ |  Zones 7-9: 25-30′

Spread:  5’+ with no control

Suggested Spacing: 5-6′ apart for privacy screen or hedge

Culm Diameter: 2″

Sun: Full Sun or Part Shade

Soil: Average, moist but well drained; drought tolerant when established

Growth Rate: Fast in warmer climates. Less aggressive in colder climates.

Introduced in the US in 1882, Golden Fishpole Bamboo is one of if not the most widely planted in the U.S., for good reason. It isn’t too tall and is one of the strongest and most upright making it the perfect choice for a dense privacy screen or hedge, even close to walkways and driveways. The strong, upright canes are green but will turn golden-yellow when exposed to direct sun light. Golden Bamboo is a fast grower that you can expect to reach 15 feet tall or more in USDA Zone 6 and 25 to 30 feet tall in zones further south. The stand is thick and impenetrable for a dense tall hedge or privacy screen or as a specimen in large containers. 

Golden Bamboo loves the sun but will also grow in part shade and is hardy to 5°F. Golden Bamboo bamboo will drop foliage when temperatures drop to around 5 degrees F. Canes can be killed when temps drop to -5. Unless temps drop to -30 degrees F the root system of established well mulched groves will put up new canes each Spring.

In colder regions, this species forms tight groves versus the more open groves in warmer climate zones. Culms are excellent wood quality and the new shoots are edible.

USDA Zones 7-11:  25 to 30 feet in height

USDA Zone 6:  14 to 16 feet in height

Golden Bamboo is easy to grow in most any moist and well-drained soil of average fertility and full to mostly sun for yellow cane color, though some shade is okay. Very drought tolerant when established.Does not like constantly wet soil or standing water.

Golden 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 some 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.