Bamboo Plants for Zone 5 Gardens
Here are some cold hardy bamboo plant varieties that will thrive in zone 5. Bissetii – One of the toughest bamboos around, it is hardy down to zone 4. It tends to grow to 12 feet (4 m.) in zone 5 and performs well in most soil conditions. Giant Leaf – This bamboo has the largest leaves of any bamboo grown in the U.S., with leaves reaching 2 feet (61 cm.) long and half a foot (15 cm.) wide. The shoots themselves are short, reaching 8 to 10 feet (2-3 m.) in height, and are hardy down to zone 5. Nuda – Cold hardy to zone 4, this bamboo has very small but lush leaves. It grows to 10 feet (3 m.) in height. Red Margin – Hardy down to zone 5, it grows very fast and makes for an excellent natural screen. It tends to reach 18 feet (5.5 m.) in height in zone 5 but will grow taller in warmer climates. Ruscus – An interesting bamboo with dense, short leaves that give it the appearance of a shrub or hedge. Hardy to zone 5, it reaches 8 to 10 feet (2-3 m.) in height. Solid Stem – Hardy to zone 4, this bamboo thrives in wet conditions. Spectabilis – Hardy down to zone 5, it grows to 14 feet (4 m.) in height. Its canes have a very attractive yellow and green striping, and it will stay evergreen even in zone 5. Yellow Groove – Similar in color to the Spectabilis, it has a yellow and green striping coloration. A certain number of the canes have a natural zig-zag shape. It tends to grow to 14 feet (4 m.) in a very dense pattern that makes for a perfect natural screen.
