Growing Bamboo in California
California’s climate suits growing bamboo. The state has a magical climate for plants. Bamboo grows well in California from mountains to valleys to coasts. Both cold-tolerant running bamboo and lush, clumping tropical bamboo grow in California. Bamboo makes a nice garden addition. Although bamboo needs lots of water, it handles droughts. Bamboo has over 1500 uses, making it renewable and eco-friendly.
Local Bamboo Nurseries
Bamboo nurseries offer plants suiting local conditions. Madman Bamboo outside Sacramento focuses on clumping bamboos, carrying 100+ kinds. Bamboo Giant in the Santa Cruz Mountains displays ponds and pagodas among 100+ varieties.
Benefits and Characteristics
In the right conditions, bamboo grows fast, up to 3 inches daily. It grows in adverse climates if the species suits. Bamboo takes little space yet gives privacy with tall, elegant looks. Its leaves make oxygen and grab carbon. Some timber bamboo keeps leaves in winter. But below 0° F, bamboo can lose many leaves. Bamboo shoots contain a toxic compound, taxiphyllin. But the FDA does not restrict growing bamboo.