Common Cultivars of Phyllostachys aurea bamboo plants

Phyllostachys aurea bamboo varieties are resilient running bamboos that grow well in shade, part shade and sun and in variable soil conditions. 

They have spectacular shiny slim leaves with slender culms that mature to a peculiar golden yellow, or sometimes green. 

These bamboos are commonly called Fish-pole Golden bamboo plants because of the colour and use of the canes. 

In the UK, they are perfect garden sticks.

Do you know there are several varieties of Phyllostachys aurea?

Cultivars of Phyllostachys aurea bamboo plants

Many garden centres and online marketplaces like eBay and Amazon sell the Phyllostachys aurea bamboo without indicating the exact variety. 

When you buy a phyllostachys aurea bamboo, it can be anyone of these 5 plants.

But you do not have to worry. 

If you know these simple variations, you can identify the different Phyllostachys aurea cultivators. 

Here are quick tips to help you with the four Phyllostachys aurea cultivars.

1. Phyllostachys aurea ‘Koi’: This is the popular variety among the Phyllostachys aurea group, also known as the Golden Koi Bamboo. It has bright yellow canes with green stripes just above the branches. Its features are opposite of ‘Flavescens Inversa’.
2. Phyllostachys aurea ‘Flavescens Inversa’: This variety has shiny green culms that are flattened where the branches are. Flavescens Inversa’ is the opposite of ‘Koi’ and has stunning yellow stripes just above the green branches.
3. Phyllostachys aurea 'Takemurai': This Fish-pole Golden Bamboo will turn golden yellow very quickly compared to its other cousins. It is smaller with broad leaves, has shorter internodes and produces dense arching foliage. It tends to behave more like clumping bamboos in cooler climates.
4. Phyllostachys aurea ‘Holochrysa’: This Fish-pole Golden Bamboo grows much larger and taller than its other cousins. ‘Holochyrsa’ is sometimes mistaken for Phyllostachys Vivax due to its height and stem colouration, but Vivax is a Timber Bamboo and much bigger in comparison.

Phyllostachys aurea ‘Flavescens Inversa’ (R) | Sleder Tall Fish-pole Bamboo Sticks

Common features of Phyllostachys aurea bamboo plants

We covered the qualities and features of Phyllostachys aurea in detail in this article, the Fish-pole Golden bamboo. 

Generally, their stems have thick cell walls. The branches appear in pairs at the node with slim elongated shiny leaves. 

Phyllostachys aurea cultivars have light green stems, which gradually turn yellow when the bamboo mature, except for the green culm Phyllostachys aurea ‘Flavescens Inversa’. 

The green and golden yellow stem colourations are often prominent in sun. 

Although these running bamboos are invasive, they are ideal for gardens and can be well contained in small spaces. 

They are perfect for tall garden hedging and privacy screening or for planting in pots and containers.

When to maintain bamboo Phyllostachys aurea?

If you are planning to build a roots barrier or thin out your running bamboo rhizomes and culms, do it in early Spring. 

Always add the access soil and mulch to the base of the bamboo plants and tidy up before Summer. 

This will stimulate the plants to grow within weeks.

The best mulch for bamboo plants is bamboo leaves. Rake the leaves and put them back near or around the bamboo – here is why the bamboo leaves are better mulch. 

Finally, you can identify the Phyllostachys aurea from the stem and colour variations before buying it. 

You don’t have to wait until your Phyllostachys aura bamboo grows big to find out. 

Use the identifiable features in this article to find out and provide ongoing care and maintenance for your Phyllostachys aurea, the Fish-pole Golden Bamboo.

Know more about Phyllostachys aurea bamboo

The Fish-pole Golden Yellow Bamboo is one of my favourite bamboo plants. 

When you know this bamboo plant personally, you'll understand why it is popular among many bamboo growers in the UK.

We created a list of some top UK bamboo sellers online. Check them out on our website.

Its stems are great garden sticks. 

Bendable, you can make any shape with it. 

Re-usable, you can use a stick for many years.

Here is more to learn about this bamboo plant:

• Why is Phyllostachys aurea called Fish-pole Golden Bamboo Plant?
• Common Cultivars of Phyllostachys aurea bamboo plants
• How to maintain Phyllosyachys Aurea in the UK