Needmore Bamboo Co.
 
                     
         
Phyllostachys aureosulcata 'Spectabilis'- Sharing the same growth characteristics as Aureosulcata proper, this beauty offers the zone 6 gardener a colorful alternative to green culm screening bamboos. The lemon yellow culms contrast wonderfully with the dark green sulcus making this bamboo the opposite coloration of aureosulcata proper. The dark green leaves have intermittent cream colored stripes.  As with many of the yellow culm bamboos, new culms of 'Spectabilis' will turn a brilliant burgundy color for several weeks in early summer, fading back to their bright yellow by late summer.    Although widely cultivated, there tends to be a very limited amount of 'Spectabilis' in the market place and this combined with its ornamental features makes this one of the more expensive screening choices. A ratio of 2 'Spectabilis' mixed with 8 Aureosulcata can create a very nice looking mixed grove.   
    I stand corrected on the hardiness of this bamboo, it has shown improved cold tolerance each year and I now believe that this one is near the top of the hardiness list, holding leaves to around -5F but the buds will survive colder temperatures.
     UPDATE 2010: Two of my five groves are doing very well, the largest is producing new culms in the 1.5 inch diameter by 25 feet tall range. During the winter of 2008-09 this bamboo sustained serious leaf burn but minimal culm damage at -8F. A choice ornamental and must have bamboo for zone 6.		  
                     
             
                     
         
                     
             
                     
         
                     
         
                     
            The single culm Jim is holding was dug from the raised bed in the picture above. These long rhizomes are all branches of one main rhizome and grew this length in just one summer!