Tropical bamboos can grow unprotected in sub-tropical areas of the United States - and these areas are limited. Generally, if you're in USDA zone 8 or lower, the Winter temperatures will be too low for extended periods of time for tropical bamboos to survive unprotected. These bamboos grow in areas where citrus, palms, gingers, etc. are easily grown. There are many temperate bamboo species that do grow in the northern areas of the U.S. (most of these are running bamboos and may need to be contained with underground barriers). We do not grow temperate bamboos, however, there are many on-line vendors. The minimum temperature listed in the description of each of our tropical bamboos is only one factor to consider when determining the suitibility for your area. More critical is the duration of the minimum temperature. A tropical bamboo listed with a minimum temp. of 27 degrees F may have no problem for one hour at that temperature. A sustained minimum of 31 degrees F for 3 hours could cause damage. Usually the leaves are the first to show damage and, if that is the only damage, recovery is quick. If the culms are damaged, you'll have to wait for new shoots when Spring arrives. If the rhizome is frozen, the entire clump will die (this would require the ground to freeze and, obviously, would be the result of sustained freezing temperatures for more than one day). |