Needmore Bamboo Co.
 
                       
         Phyllostachys Heteroclada - Although I am told of this bamboo exhibiting excellent hardiness, I have been extremely disappointed with the performance I am seeing - still under 6 feet tall after 5 years and only beginning to show some of its purported hardiness. The type species is known as Heteroclada 'Straightstem' and there are 2 subspecies - 'Solidstem' & 'Purpurata'. Thus far my Purpurata seems notably less hardy and for this reason I have grouped it lower than the other 2 species but it is a young plant and time will tell. Purpurata also has a more delicate form than the others which are rigidly upright, with very stiff horizontal branching.
     The 'Solidstem' is my favorite of the 3, with the very unique angle that the leaves come off the branches combined with the fact that on mature plantings the lower portion of the culms often have compressed internodes creating a perfect walking stick grip. This cultivar appears to be much more vigorous than the other 2 forms and I would recommend it instead of the less hardy, Straightstem' or Purpurata.  Best sited in full sun, I expect this bamboo to exceed 18 feet by 1 inch diameter in Zone 6 with gray-green culms. Once established, this species of bamboo is quite tolerant of wet planting sites, but should be planted near the wet site and allowed to spread into it rather than planted directly in wet soils.		  
                       
         
                       
       
4 Year old Phyllostachys Heteroclada 'Straightstem'
      
                       
         
                       
       
   First Year Phyllostachys Heteroclada 'Purpurata' - same size 2 years later
      
                       
               
                       
         
2 Year old Phyllostachys Heteroclada 'Solidstem'
      
                       
               
                       
                 
                       
            2 years later, there are more culms several feet out