Finding The Right Bamboo

Instant Jungle has over thirty years of growing experience with bamboo. Our bamboo plants are guaranteed pest free and well groomed, with beautiful and lush foliage. With thirty different species of bamboo available for purchase at our Irvine and Santa Ana locations, we understand that finding the right one for your project can feel overwhelming. Below you will find information to help you narrow down the search. 

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 What to consider before shopping for bamboo:

1. Location
Where is it being planted? In the ground? In a concrete planter? Near a neighbor's fence-line? These factors will help us determine which species is best for your application. ​

Phyllostachys nigra (Black Bamboo) planted in an above-ground concrete planter.

Bambusa multiplex 'Alphonse Karr' planted in ground near a shared fence line.

2. Space
Some people want instant height when they plant their bamboo, but if you only have a 2’ x 2’ area to plant in, you will need to start off with a smaller container, which usually means a shorter plant.
Measure the width, length and depth of your planting area before shopping. This will also help determine how many bamboo you will need to purchase. Instant Jungle offers bamboo in 15 gallon containers all the way to 36” boxes. Our experienced sales team can help you determine how far apart to plant your bamboo plants. 

3. Design/Coverage
Are you trying to create a dense screen between your yard and a neighbor's? Does your courtyard need one really spectacular specimen plant? Is there a particular landscape theme you have in mind? Our sales team would be happy to walk you through the best options for any type of application. 
Style matters! Does the color, shade, or shape of your bamboo matter to you? Do you prefer striped bamboo, green bamboo, black bamboo, straight bamboo or curvy bamboo? Did you even know there were so many types of bamboo? Fret not, we have detailed pictures of all the varieties we carry HERE.

Get familiar with the basic bamboo anatomy before shopping. This can make it easier for you to describe the look you're going for.

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The culms of Phyllostachys aureosulcata (Yellow Groove Bamboo) are very straight, upright and green with a distinctive yellow stripe.

The culms of Bambusa ventricosa 'Kimmei' (Striped Buddha Belly) are golden with green stripes. The internodes have the ability to become swollen or "bellied" if water is restricted.

4. Height 
How tall do you want it to get? Will you be able to trim your bamboo? Are there power lines you need to watch out for? Instant Jungle carries bamboo that grow to a variety of maximum heights. Our bamboo descriptions HERE will tell you the maximum height of each species we carry. 

​5. Clumpers vs. Runners
Instant Jungle carries two different types of bamboo, clumpers and runners. 
The biggest difference between these two is the way the root systems work. ​The roots of clumping bamboos are short and grow close together in a circular pattern, at a very slow rate. The roots of running bamboos are rhizomes that can “run” underground, spreading far and wide at a fast rate. ​

Bamboo Guide
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File Type:	pdf

Download File

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Download our Bamboo Guide to view the names of all our clumping and running bamboo species. 

Clumpers:
Clumping bamboo is recommended for those looking to plant their bamboo in the ground without risk of it becoming invasive. If you want easy installation without fear of your bamboo growing into unwanted areas, go with a clumper! 

Details of Bambusa Multiplex 'Alphonse Karr,' our most popular clumping bamboo

Benefits of Clumpers: 

• ​Noninvasive 
• Low maintenance
• Grow tall quickly
• Make excellent specimen plants/accents   

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Runners: Runners are great for those who are planting their bamboo in a concrete planter, or are willing to invest in installing a root barrier.* If you want bamboo that spreads fast, and creates a dense screen, running bamboo is for you. 
* Root barriers are plastic liners used to redirect or block roots from growing into unwanted areas. Instant Jungle has root barrier available for purchase.  We do not install it. 

Details of Phyllostachys nigra, our most popular running bamboo

Benefits of Runners:

• ​​Spread wide more quickly 
• Make great privacy screens
• Larger variety of species available

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6. Maintenance
​All species require ample sunlight, drainage, and water.  Make sure your bamboo has access to all of these before planting. Both clumpers and runners require regular maintenance to keep them from overgrowing an area or becoming unhealthy looking. We recommend trimming and thinning out your bamboo every few months.

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If you have considered all of the above, you are ready to start shopping for bamboo! If you have any further questions or concerns, our experienced sales team is available to help you.

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Author

Kathryn Newman