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Bamboo for socal zone 9.

last year

Hi! Im looking for fast growing bamboo varieties for privacy that would grow well in zone 9. where I am it is Dry and average rain is 11in but lots of coastal fog (I am not near the coast just rolls in) . I will be irrigating 1 or 2 times a week and installing a barrier so it cant become invasive. drought tolerance is nice also. Thanks!

Featured Answer

gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)

last year

I did some research into this exact topic for a design client and there are a number of bamboo species that are considered to be more drought tolerant than most. And with both clumping or running variations. This includes a good number of the Bambusas (including Alphonse Karr) and Phyllostachys aurea and P. nigra. There are also a couple of native Mexican Otateas and Chusquea from Chile that are accustomed to very limited precipitation.

Any bamboo will need plentiful water until the culms are established - twice a week is likely a minimum in a hot, dry summer. But after establishment, an occasional deep soak during very dry periods should suffice.

I have also heard that Phyllostachys nigra is entering a gregarious flowering stage, so probably not a good choice at this time.

There are some really excellent bamboo specialty nurseries in SoCal so I'd take some time to seek a couple out. They will likely have lots of suggestions for you.

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Comments (7)

davidrt28 (zone 7)
last year
last modified: last year
Most bamboos seem to come from summer wet monsoon climates, FWIW.

This nursery comes to mind as one of the most likely to make a solid recommendation: http://www.bamboodirect.com/

Phil Bergman does not sell bamboos as far as I know, but I suspect he would know a thing or two about their cultivation in SoCal: https://www.junglemusic.net/index.htm

Where on the 'coast' of 'socal' is cold enough to be zone 9? I would have characterized almost the entire southern half of coastal CA as zone 10 (and large swaths of the Northern half all the up to Eureka or so) unless you are a ways inland and at elevation.
HU-622889343 thanked davidrt28 (zone 7)
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Hello. The only one I know of that would work for your situation is Golden Goddess (Latin name Bambusa multiplex "Golden Goddess"). It gets about 12 feet tall and grows in a loose, open clump, meaning that a new shoot may come up a foot or so away from the main clump. So it's not a tight clumper but fairly well mannered. Make sure you don't get "Golden" (Latin name Phylostachys aurea) by mistake. There is another type in the Thamnocalamus group that would work but it is harder to find. I don't remember the species name. I would recommend asking your question to Bamboo Headquarters nursery in So. Cal. They grow hundreds of types ando deliver also.
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everdebz
last year
I'm not a pro, but saved this for myself:

"Bambusa textilis gracilis is a very fast-growing bamboo that can reach 25’ within 2 to 3 years. Zone 8B - 11. Popular in North because it can handle temperatures down to 15 degrees Fahrenheit."
Modern Landscape · More Info
HU-622889343 thanked everdebz
everdebz
last year
"genera Phyllostachys and Fargesia. Towering, non-invasive clumping bamboo creates a forest feel in this shaded garden area. There are many cold hardy to Zone 5 above, particularly genera Phyllostachys and Fargesia."
Shaded Asian Garden with Mexican Beach Pebble Detail · More Info
HU-622889343 thanked everdebz
HU-622889343
Original Author
last year
last modified: last year
Thank you daviddrt28, garden gal and everdebz for the responses! i am a little inland near the LA area so thats how im in a zone 9. Im thinking of going with Moso bamboo, alphonse karr, or mexican otateas. I visited 2 bamboo nurserys and they were out of all of these types.. Ill keep trying elsewhere. Any reccomendations on which one grows fastest/ best for privacy? How long do most culms take to establish? Thanks again!
everdebz
last year
Some don't ship to CA - ? -

https://www.willisorchards.com/product/golden-bamboo-plant#.YqkwtqHMLIU
HU-622889343 thanked everdebz
everdebz
last year
To 10 feet tall -

https://www.willisorchards.com/product/golden-goddess-bamboo-plant#.YqkxG6HMLIU
HU-622889343 thanked everdebz

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