Alphonse Karr Bamboo

Light Needs

Partial Sun to Full Sun

(At Least 5 Hours of Direct Sunlight)

Mature Height

15-35 Feet

Mature Spread

6-10 Feet

Growing Zones

8 to 10

Alphonse Karr Bamboo brings color and structure in one neat clump, with golden-yellow culms etched in soft green stripes and fresh shoots that often flush pink at the tips. The upright canes and fine foliage create a tailored, tropical look that works as a living fence, a courtyard accent, or a statement container by the patio.

A naturally clumping, non-invasive selection (Bambusa multiplex ‘Alphonse Karr’), it builds density quickly without wandering. Use it to screen neighboring views, quiet a breezeway, or frame an entry with striped stems that read beautifully against stucco, stone, and modern hardscape.

Alphonse Karr Bamboo Care

Plant in full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil (loam or sandy mixes are ideal). Water regularly the first growing season to establish; afterwards, provide deep, occasional soakings during hot, dry spells. Top-dress with compost and feed in spring with a slow-release, high-nitrogen fertilizer to support new shoots.

Mulch 2–3 inches to conserve moisture, keeping mulch a few inches off the culms. Maintain by thinning the oldest canes at ground level for fresh color and tip-trimming to your target height; avoid cutting mid-culm to prevent splits.

Wind-tolerant and fairly drought-tough once established. Generally hardy in USDA Zones 8–11; protect from hard freezes and drying winter winds.

Alphonse Karr Bamboo Spacing

Expect about 15–25 ft tall and 6–10 ft wide in the landscape (shorter with routine tip-pruning and in containers). For a dense privacy screen, plant 3–4 ft on center. For a softer, airier row, space 5–6 ft apart.

As a single specimen, allow a 6–8 ft circle for the clump to mature. In large containers, choose a sturdy 18–24"+ diameter pot with excellent drainage; place planters 2–3 ft apart to form a continuous green wall.

Why Grow Alphonse Karr Bamboo?

• Striped golden culms with pink-blushing new shoots—color and interest in every season

• Clumping, non-invasive habit for tidy, predictable growth

• Fast, upright coverage for privacy, wind-softening, and sound buffering

• Easy care: seasonal thinning, light tip-trims, and spring feeding

• Performs in sun or part shade; great in large containers or as a refined hedge

A standout screen or specimen with striking, striped canes—plant Alphonse Karr to add color, height, and year-round calm without the headache of spreading bamboo.