Himalayan Blue

(Blue Bamboo)

Himalayacalamus hookerianus

A mountain bamboo from China. In full shade, culms maintain blue coating. Some forms get larger than others. Very nice in containers, around water features and in full shade.

  • Height: 25’
  • Diameter: 2”
  • Minimum Temp: 25o F
  • Sun or Partial or Full Shade

Unique Identification Features to all Himalayacalamus

  • About 15 branches per node first year, up to 40 over life.
  • Sheath is smooth on inside, upper part next to a short ligule.
  • Leaves measure about 5 x .5 inches and are not tessellated.
  • New shoots are good to eat. May shoot in fall and not leaf until spring.

Specific Unique Identification Features

  • Sheath is long, with long ligule and long reflexed blade.
  • Blue powder on new culms.
  • Culms can age to yellow - green or purple.

Culms turn yellow in full sun





Notice very long sheath, almost two internodes long,
long ligule and long sheath blade