Comparing Heavenly Bamboo varieties — notes from growing several

I've grown several varieties within the Heavenly Bamboo family and have some observations to share. beautiful sound of canes moving in wind varies noticeably between them, more than catalogue descriptions suggest. The care fundamentals are shared — feeding with a high-nitrogen fertiliser in early spring applies across all of them.

yellowing leaves from drought or nitrogen deficiency affects some more than others, particularly in adverse conditions. I grow mine in a Japanese or contemporary minimalist garden design which works well for most varieties. foliage refresh as older leaves shed in late winter is the clearest moment of differentiation between varieties — that's when the character of each comes through. Worth growing a few side by side if you have the space.