photo copyright: Ned Jaquith, 2002
photo copyright: Ned Jaquith, 2003
Spectabilis showing red highlight in sun
Phyllostachys aureosulcata
'Spectabilis'
Common Name: Spectabilis
Maximum Height: 25 to 30 feet
Diameter: 2 inches
Hardiness: -10º F
Recommended USDA zone 5 through 10.
This aptly named form of
"Yellow
Groove Bamboo" is spectacular. Its colors are reversed from the species, i.e., it has
bright yellow culms with a green sulcus. It is the hardiest bamboo with yellow and green striped
color pattern. Spectabilis is vigorous and rather rare. Like the other forms of the
species, this bamboo makes an excellent hedge or screen due to its fast, upright
growth.
When grown in a sunny location, the new culms have a spectacular red highlight in the spring and early summer. In one picture you can see bright color and the other shows the zig-zag pattern the culms this species sometimes form at the base.
Phyllostachys aureosulcata 'Harbin inversa' is similar to Spectabilis but has random green streaks on a yellow cane instead of the solid green stripe.