Sulfur Bamboo 'Robert Young'

A stunningly beautiful specimen bamboo that is highly sought after by enthusiasts. The canes emerge a pale green but soon change to a brilliant, warm sulfur-yellow with random dark green stripes. This variety can reach 6-8 metres in protected UK gardens, forming a majestic timber-sized grove. The foliage is relatively light and airy, allowing the colourful canes to be seen clearly. It is a running bamboo and requires a large space or a root barrier. It is hardy (H5) but needs a warm, sheltered spot to thrive and produce the most intense cane colour. Cold, drying winds can damage the foliage in winter, so a sunny, protected corner of a large garden is ideal. It is a slower spreader than many other Phyllostachys, making it slightly more manageable, but it still requires respect. A truly aristocratic plant that provides year-round architectural interest.

Sun: Full sun to partial shade.

Soil: Fertile, moist but well-drained loam.

Hardiness: H5 — down to −15°C.