ARUNDINARIA. This was once a large group of Asian and North American bamboos. However a recent wave of botanical reclassification has put most of the well-known species (those also listed at times under Sasa) into the genus Pleioblastus. Bamboo buffs are by now used to finding new names every few years on their favorite plants. Those still in Arundinaria are of the “moderately running” type, with elongate rhizomes, making reasonably well-behaved natural hedges. Sun or shade near the coast, best in part shade inland, most soils, moderate watering. Hardy as shown.

anceps (Yushania anceps). An elegant bamboo, with slender stems growing nearly erect to about 15’. The older stems are dark green to brown, with straw-colored bracts. It produces broad sprays of branchlets carrying narrow leaves, usually 2½-4" long, with pale undersides. ‘Pitt White’ is a popular British selection with particularly long, gracefully drooping leaves. The stems may arch over almost to the ground from their weight. This is one of the least aggressive of the group, making fine informal hedges and container specimens. 0^oF.

argenteostriata. See Pleioblastus argenteostriatus.

disticha. See Pleioblastus distichus.

gigantea ssp. tecta. This plant once covered large areas in the southeastern U.S. Little of it now remains. It forms broad thickets, with bright green to yellow culms that rise to about 8'. Leaves are broad, up to 10" long, and light green in color. Below 0^oF. Our thanks to Julian Campbell for seeds of this species.