Buddha Belly Bamboo installed around a swimming pool to provide screening – private!

Jungle Bamboo and Palm did the installation, to the owners satisfaction.

Black Bamboo makes a great privacy screen between properties. Where the view was previously of a fence and of the neighbors house, now it is of Black Bamboo plants. Quite the transformation!

Black Bamboo makes a great privacy screen between properties. Where the view was previously of a fence and of the neighbors house, now it is of Black Bamboo plants. Quite the transformation!

Deck bamboo screening 

An urban paradise, turning steel and concrete into lush greenery.  All the plants pictured here were planted on a rooftop in SF in 2012.  In one year they have filled in and created a living fence.  They block an unsightly view of yet more concrete and steel, and are also stunning to look at.   The black bamboo planted here is a popular choice for northern California.

An urban paradise, turning steel and concrete into lush greenery.  All the plants pictured here were planted on a rooftop in SF in 2012.  In one year they have filled in and created a living fence.  They block an unsightly view of yet more concrete and steel, and are also stunning to look at.   The black bamboo planted here is a popular choice for northern California.

Dendrocalamus differs from other types of bamboo in that it has a beautiful wide leaf, even broader than an Old Hamii leaf.   It is native to China and its culms can be used for weaving.  The dendrocalamus pictured here was planted as a privacy screen and completely hides the house next door.  It was planted in San Rafael in 2012.

Spectabilis is  one variety of phyllostachys aureosulcata.  It is an excellent, cold hardy ornamental with yellow culms and a green sulcus.  The lower part of the culms may bend and zigzag, appearing broken.  The culms regain their vertical direction as they grow so the upper part of the culms are straight.  The crooked lower culms heighten the ornamental appeal.  New culms and braches often take on rose-red or purple-red tints as they are exposed to the sun.  Some leaves may have light, variegated stripes

This type of bamboo becomes established rapidly and is a great choice for climates with cold winters.   It will not grow as tall in cold climates,  but it will survive and thrive in colder conditions.  It is a vigorous grower and runner in warm climates. 

The scientific name for yellow crookstem is calle phyllostachys aureosulcata.  It’s an excellent, cold hardy ornamental with beautiful yellow canes.

The scientific name for yellow crookstem is calle phyllostachys aureosulcata.  It’s an excellent, cold hardy ornamental with beautiful yellow canes.

Buddha Belly bamboo is most known for its swollen internodes, which look like a large belly.  Hence, the name Buddha belly.  It is a native of southern China.  Its scientific name is Bambusa ventricosa and it grows to a height of between 8 to 30 ft.  It requires full sun to thrive.

Buddha Belly bamboo is most known for its swollen internodes, which look like a large belly.  Hence, the name Buddha belly.  It is a native of southern China.  Its scientific name is Bambusa ventricosa and it grows to a height of between 8 to 30 ft.  It requires full sun to thrive.

A great bamboo for landscaping is Gracilis, which is a variety of Textilis Bamboo.  It is native to China and has canes that grow strongly upright before they begin nodding at their tips.  Gracilis has smaller culms (canes) than Textilis however. Its foliage nods toward the top of the plant which gives it a graceful look.

This Gracilis bamboo was installed at a private home in Santa Rosa. The photos show the view from the outside. 

In this area it can grow to 15 feet tall.  It needs full sun to do well.  It tends to have small leaves for a semitropiclal bamboo and is able to withstand mild winds without damage to its foliage.  Gracilis is a clumping bamboo and as it clumps very tightly, it makes for an excellent hedge.

This Gracilis bamboo was installed at a private home in Santa Rosa. The photos show the view from the inside.