This superbly erect rapid growing straight-culmed bamboo takes up less space than most smaller bamboos. With its medium-sized broad-leafed dark green clean appearance Oldhamii (pronounced old-ham-e-eye) is an ideal slightly larger suburban garden bamboo. Delicious shoots are light green and hairless except for a darker area being revealed by the lower culm leaf. A white powder covers the shoots and young culms.
The later vivid green culms turn gold in strong sunlight. Beautiful straight timber is highly used for furniture making and lighter internal structures. Large plantings exist in China and for shoot production in cooler climates but it gives a smaller crop than larger species.
Used in NZ and Nth NSW for tall orchard and nursery windbreaks. A cold-tolerant bamboo, and a must-have for any collector.
Light requirement: Full Sun and Part sun/part shade
Water requirement: High
Watering frequency:
Soil: Free draining soils with good organics turned over. Can mulch with a leaf litter (not tea tree). If soil is sand mix in organic matter. If clay mounding is recommended.
Skill level:
Growth rate: Fast
Suitable for containers: Yes
More info:
External links to more info:
Drought tolerance: High
Frost tolerance: High
Wind tolerance: High
Disease and pest susceptibility:
Mature height:
Mature width:
Suitable for shaping: Yes
Colour: Green
Variegation: No
Size: Small/medium
Seasonality: Evergreen
Flowering: Yes; but primarily grown for it's foliage
Flower colour:
Flower fragrant:
Flowering season: Rare
Fruit: No