Wholesale Bamboo Plant Suppliers

Boasting over 600 acres in production, Palmco is one of the largest wholesale clumping bamboo suppliers in North America. When you need a non-invasive, fast-growing plant that will transform a client’s landscape into a tropical paradise, we can help.

At Palmco, headquartered in Bokeelia on Pine Island, Florida, we offer 14 spectacular varieties of clumping bamboos that range from dwarf to mid-sized to giant bamboos. The Bambusa variety is a tropical and subtropical species that is ideal for warm, southern climates, and the Dendrocalamus variety is a genus that includes some of the tallest, most impressive bamboos in the world.

Many of our clumping bamboo varieties have only become commercially available in the U.S. during the past decade and are rapidly becoming the material of choice for landscapers, landscape architects and commercial contractors.

FAQs About Clumping Bamboo

Is clumping bamboo cold hardy?

The varieties of clumping bamboos we grow at Palmco are cold hardy to 15-20°F. They should have little or no damage when exposed to low temperatures for short periods of time. If they are too cold for long or exposed to heavy frost, they may lose their leaves and the culms may die back, but the root mass will usually survive, sending up healthy new shoots in the spring. Prolonged wind may cause more damage to culms and foliage than cold.

How can clumping bamboo be used in a landscape?

Clumping bamboos have a unique root structure that creates a tight cluster of culms, so they won’t run rampant in all directions like running bamboos and won’t spread more than a few inches a year. Not only do they make beautiful specimen plants, but they are the fastest-growing plants you can choose for windbreaks, privacy screens and noise and dust barriers.

How can I protect clumping bamboo for winter?

You can do several things to protect clumping bamboo from poor weather.

• If temperatures are expected to drop below 25° F, provide the plant with plenty of water to insulate its roots and reduce the effects of cold wind on the foliage.
• Although bamboos can tolerate poor soil conditions and no fertilizer, planting them in well-draining soil and applying a low-nitrogen fertilizer in the fall can help prepare the plant for winter. Grass fertilizers work well for subtropical clumping bamboos.
• Apply a generous layer of mulch (e.g., straw, wood chips) to insulate the roots for the winter.
• While mature bamboos are fairly drought-tolerant, regular watering during dry periods will help them maintain a healthier appearance. 

Should clumping bamboo be pruned?

Clumping bamboo is simple to maintain but may need a little pruning to look its best. After the third growing season, remove older, less productive culms to make way for healthy new growth. Cut off any unwanted shoots as close as possible to ground level, but don’t prune out more than one third of the canes in a given year. If you want a manicured hedge, prune new shoots to the desired height in late summer and late fall.

As wholesale clumping bamboo suppliers, we welcome you to tour our Pine Island plantation to see our vast selection of bamboo plants and palm trees. Call Palmco at (239) 283-1329 to find out more.