Comparing Black Bamboo varieties — notes from growing several

I've grown several varieties within the Black Bamboo family and have some observations to share. beautiful sound of canes moving in wind varies noticeably between them, more than catalogue descriptions suggest. The care fundamentals are shared — watering heavily in the first season to establish the root system applies across all of them.

new canes not reaching full height in the first year affects some more than others, particularly in adverse conditions. I grow mine in a poolside or water feature surrounding planting which works well for most varieties. cane hardening and leafing out through summer is the clearest moment of differentiation between varieties — that's when the character of each comes through. Worth growing a few side by side if you have the space.