Phyllostachys praecox - Originally purchased as Phyllostachys propinqua, I now believe that this plant is actually Praecox. This is one of the earliest shooting bamboos that I have. I can not recommend it as it is not hardy in zone 6 and it has no particularly outstanding qualities.  It is my understanding that there are many clones of this bamboo some of which exhibit leaves that are slightly curled. I also have the oft-flowering 'Viridisulcata' form that has remained quite small and unattractive for me thus far.  A bamboo friend suggests that many of the plants sold as Phyllostachys violescens may actually be a form of Praecox, and my Violescens does indeed have the curled leaf look, early shooting and poor hardiness.  This bamboo tends to have very short internodes and as you can tell from the bottom picture, it has spread more than 20 feet in 4 years despite annual top kill.

     The winter of 2009-10 was mild enough that this bamboo wintered over just fine and really leapt up in size - plus distance - this guy is running like the wind. As one of the earliest shooting species it gives a boost to spring fever as the shoots elongate very rapidly and it gives me an early rewarding garden experience. Here's to hoping for another mild winter for this guy!