Phyllostachys aureosulcata

Phyllostachys aureosulcata, famously known as Yellow Groove Bamboo, is a hardy running bamboo that produces a green culm with a yellow stripe in its groove. The yellow stripe may not be visible on young plants that are producing small culms, but it is usually more pronounced on culms having a diameter superior to 1/2 inch.

The culms are slender and internodes are longer compared to the Golden Bamboo. Culm internodes are distinctly rough to the touch when young. Occasional culms develop a highly ornamental zigzag kink. One out of about 10 culms have zigzags in their lower portion, this is less frequent than for P. aureosulcata 'Alata' (the Crookstem Bamboo).

Phyllostachys aureosulcata is among the hardiest running bamboo with P. Bissetii and other P. aureosulcata cultivars. It enjoys full sun to partial shade exposure and can thrive in full shade but will not grow as fast.

Phyllostachys aureosulcata shoots usually emerge from the ground in mid May in Southern Ontario (1 to 2 weeks later than P. bissetii). Yellow Groove Bamboo reaches its mature height in approx. 5 to 10 years. Can be planted in containers or pots, as long as they are brought indoors (inside a cold frame or a garage) in winter (from November to late March).

In USDA Climate Zones expect the following mature size culms heights:

• Zone 8 – over 20+ feet
• Zone 7 – 16 feet
• Zone 6 – 12 feet
• Zone 5 – 8 feet
• Zone 4b – 5 feet

Gain a hardiness zone with winter cover (a heavy poly batt, and a layer of light-coloured plastic). Loves Nettle Tea as a fertilizer.