Bambusa, Chinese Bamboo, Hedge Bamboo 'Alphonse Karr'
Bambusa multiplex
Family: | Poaceae (poh-AY-see-ee) (Info) |
Genus: | Bambusa (bam-BOO-suh) (Info) |
Species: | multiplex (MUL-tih-pleks) (Info) |
Cultivar: | Alphonse Karr |

Category:
Ornamental Grasses and Bamboo
Water Requirements:
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
Sun Exposure:
Sun to Partial Shade
Foliage:
Evergreen
Foliage Color:
Height:
30-40 ft. (9-12 m)
Spacing:
Hardiness:
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)
USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F)
USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)
USDA Zone 10a: to -1.1 °C (30 °F)
Where to Grow:
Can be grown as an annual
Danger:
Bloom Color:
Bloom Characteristics:
Bloom Size:
Bloom Time:
Other details:
Soil pH requirements:
Patent Information:
Propagation Methods:
By dividing the rootball
From woody stem cuttings
By simple layering
By air layering
By tip layering
Seed Collecting:
Regional
This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:
Anniston, Alabama
Mesa, Arizona
Amesti, California
Corralitos, California
Elkhorn, California
Interlaken, California
Mountain View, California
Pajaro, California
San Fernando, California
San Francisco, California
Santa Barbara, California
Temecula, California
Thousand Oaks, California
Topanga, California
Vista, California(9 reports)
Watsonville, California
Alachua, Florida
Bradenton, Florida
Brandon, Florida
Gainesville, Florida
Jacksonville, Florida
Labelle, Florida
Mulberry, Florida
Saint Petersburg, Florida
Trenton, Florida
Prospect, Kentucky
New Orleans, Louisiana
Elizabeth City, North Carolina(2 reports)
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Aransas Pass, Texas
Austin, Texas
Houston, Texas
San Antonio, Texas
Buckley, Washington
show allGardeners' Notes:
Rating | Content |
---|---|
Positive | On Nov 3, 2014, hardyinokc from Oklahoma City, OK wrote: I have grown this bamboo in the ground in my OKC yard for several years. At 15-20 degrees it dies back to the ground but has always re-sprouted from the roots the following late spring. When planting this in zone 7, do not expect to see any life from it until the 1st of May, depending how warm the spring is. |
Neutral | On Sep 15, 2012, Tuls from Alachua, FL wrote: I planted this bamboo last fall and in one year it has not grown hardly at all. I have one in full sun and one in partial shade. They look green and healthy, but almost the same size as 1 year ago. Is there any tricks to get them growing? |
Positive | On Nov 9, 2008, sauraja from Mesa, AZ wrote: Planting nearly anything is a challenge in the Greater Phoenix area with our very poor, caliche filled soil. I planted one 5 gallon, 5 foot tall Alphonse Karr in May of 2007 after preparing a 16' long x 2' wide x 3' deep trench along a south wall that was dug, sifted and admended. I separated the bamboo into 3 sections and now in Nov of 2008 the new shoots are exceeding 8 feet in height and the clumps have grown from a dozen shoots to about 30 each that are twice the originals diameter. I pruned out the original skinny shoots in July of 2008. The bamboo is intended to produce a 10 foot high plus living privacy screen and to block the neighbors porch light and it is well on its way. I am in process of extending the trench to 32 feet and adding another separted bamboo to the additio... read more |
Positive | On Sep 14, 2007, popper1 from Lakeland, FL (Zone 10a) wrote: A great bamboo. Very easy, fast growing, tight clumper. Culms are a beautiful yellow with green stripes. They can have pink and orange hues, especially when young. I trim the node branches off on the first four feet or so of the culms to really show them off. The leaves are deep green & dense. Mealy bugs can be a problem. They get in the branches at the nodes and can be difficult to get at. I use a systemic soil drench made for trees & shrubs once a year & it works like a charm. |
Positive | On Sep 26, 2004, palmbob from Acton, CA (Zone 8b) wrote: this was one of my favorite bamboos back when a had a yard- great yellow to orange culms (especially orangey new culms) with irregular green striping. Had a severe problem with mealy bug and scale, though- plant much less hardy to problems than 'regular' B multiplex, and it struggled much of the time. Heavy dosing of pesticides hurt plant, too, which surprised me... so careful with diazazon with this one (I could not keep the ants away... and they brought all their 'friends'). |