Semiarundinaria, Bamboo 'Kimmei'

I'm very excited to see that this variety (or something like it) has begun to spring up wild in marshy areas in Manitoba and Ontario....t...Read Morehis is surprising to me because we have a very cold climate. The stalks are red, it's about 7 feet tall where I've seen it, and the tops look like large grasses, complete with seeds in the fall. I've never seen this before this year and wonder if it's a global warming thing. Could someone please tell me if this is normal?

I am very impressed with this bamboo. I bought it as a young plant, around 18" tall, and in 2 seasons has grown to a good 6 feet in heig...Read Moreht. The leaves have so far remained on over winter, some turn a little yellowish but look attractive. It has a graceful, arching habit, and quite large leaves which droop, and have some fine creamy variegation in form of stripes, mostly on the younger leaves.

The culms have thickend a little, the green stripes are more pronounced, and the part of the plant which gets sun filtering through it has red colouring riding up from the nodes. The more shaded half has not got this red colouring, and full sun is said to intensify it in winter.

Its medium height lends it well to egings, also suitable for banks, in deep pots, or an isolated clump in the garden. It has a more clumping habit, and is mildly spreading. The culm diameter is eventually to 15 to 20 mm.