Phyllostachys vivax

The largest and fastest growing timber bamboo in Southern Oregon, Phyllostachys vivax establishes far faster than other timber bamboos. While some timbers may take up to 20 years to form a large grove, P. vivax can produce culms up to five inches in diameter within seven years. P. vivax will produce tall, thick canes even when given limited growing space. We had a single plant reach 35 feet in height with canes three inches in diameter on a grove four feet by four feet.

One of the largest of the hardy bamboos, reaching 45 feet in height, or even as much as 70 in warm climates. A running bamboo, so place with care, as it will claim a large amount of garden real estate one way or the other. I know lots of people who have attempted to contain bamboos with root barriers, but they always seem to escape eventually.Cutting off errant new shoots in the spring when they first emerge (and eating them if you like), and then cutting around the main clump with a sharp shovel to sever the rhizomes works well, but you must do it every spring religiously or the monster will escape. That being said, if you have lots of space to let them run, a mature bamboo grove is absolutely gorgeous, and perfect habitat for song birds. Zone 6

Fast growing runner bamboo with culms up to 5". Shoots are edible, hardy to about -5 deg.

A fast grower, eventually reaching as much as 70' in height and 5" in diameter. With its large leaves it offers a lush, tropical feel to the landscape and its new shoots are good to eat.