Needmore Bamboo Co.
 
               
         Phyllostachys Propinqua - This bamboo is uncommon in the US but very popular in Europe where it is reported as being quite hardy and able to reach large sizes in cold climates. In fact, it is so uncommon that I have reached the conclusion that most of the plants in the US being sold as Propinqua are actually a form of Phyllostachys praecox.  I reached this conclusion after I began to suspect that my plant was mis-identified due to its lack of hardiness.  Through my inquiries I discovered that an entire shipping container sent to Europe from China was labeled Propinqua but was in fact Praecox and this plant has been sold for many years as Propinqua in both Europe and the US. Aside from the USDA research center at Byron,GA where they may have the true form, I am skeptical that there is true Propinqua in the US and I am of the mind that mine is indeed Praecox.
     I have a subspecies that is being sold in the US under the species name Propinqua 'Beijing' which to me appears to be a member of the Phyllostachys Glauca family and shows no characteristics of Propinqua other than great hardiness.  While doing my research into the straight Propinqua form I have reached the conclusion that the 'Beijing' form in the US is likely the form known as Propinqua 'Li Yu Gan' in Europe. 'Li Yu Gan' is considered hardier than straight Propinqua and is faster to gain size.   The new canes have a pretty blue blush covering about one half of each lower internode and a purple ring at each node. I am relatively certain that my plant is the 'Li Yu Gan' clone. I believe that this is a bamboo with tremendous potential in zone 6 due to its great hardiness, upright form and rapid establishment. Although I suspect that this bamboo will prove to be a form of Glauca, I will continue to refer to it as Propinqua 'Li Yu Gan' - by any name I highly recommend it.
     I expect this bamboo to reach 25 feet by 2 inch diameter in Zone 6 and due to its upright stature it should be ideal for planting along pathways. Even as a young plant it exhibited great hardiness and sustained only minor leaf burn at -5F, during the deep freeze of 2/2007.  As with all Phyllostachys, this species is best planted in full sun.		  
               
Phyllostachys Propinqua 'Li Yu Gan'
   
 
   
 
2 year old
 
         
               
       
Mulched in for the winter