Best Semiarundinaria in the cold?

[Paul Ont]

Hey everyone, Does anyone colder than zone 7 have a suggestion for a Semiarundinaria to try? There are plants available here, but not many reports from colder regions. I'm thinking that S. fastuosa (and the viridis form). The other options are S. okuboi and S. yashadake (not hardy?)...

Thoughts?

[Alan_L]

S. okuboi has been pretty satisfying for me so far. It loses all of its leaves each year, but leafs back out. It's only about 6'-7' tall right now, but I'll see what happens this spring. Even if it stays this height forever I'll keep growing it as I really like the form.

S. fastuosa 'viridis' is questionable. It also looks like all of its leaves are fried this year, but I have no idea what it will do in the spring. The previous two winters I kept it wrapped for wind protection and it did leaf back out, but didn't really size up. If I don't see some size gain this year I will probably dig it up and keep it in a pot.

[needmore]

S okuboi is the hardiest I have grown, I killed off my S fastuosa, and also the Viridis form of fastuosa which is a little hardier than the straight type, still not as hardy as okuboi for me. I am barely still growing S fortis, S yashadake 'Kimmei' and S makinoi but have almost killed those off as well, the okuboi I'll keep.

[foxd]

Definitely S. okuboi!

S. yashadake 'Kimmei' may or may not work for you. There is some growing 15 miles South that is doing amazingly, but it doesn't do well here.

[Alan_L]

I just checked and my S. fastuosa 'Viridis' does have some live leaves left, but they're buried in the plant or low down. It looks like the uppermost leaves are all scorched.

And the okuboi is similar -- it has some "good" leaves left in the interior. I know this one will leaf back out though.

[Paul Ont]

Thanks guys! I will look at getting okuboi for trial. I might also look at a fastuosa just to make sure it's not hardy (it is really quite inexpensive).

[Alan_L]

I've just posted a survey of my cold damage so far this year on my blog. You can compare the two Semi. species I have, as well as seeing all of the other unprotected bamboos and how they've fared so far.

http://www.itsnotworkitsgardening.com/2 ... urvey.html

[CadyG]

I've had a S. fastuosa 'Viridis' for around 5 years now and it has yet to establish a decent sized patch. Just a few scrawny culms though they do stay green. Meanwhile, the Phyllostachys nuda next to them has formed a big grove I have to whack back every year.