Incense Bamboo

Cold hardy species of bamboo that can tolerate wetland conditions and can produce a pleasant smell if scratched. Why choose this bamboo? Perpendicular limbs give it a wide horizontal spread. Slower to expand than most species. Some notice a faint pleasant aroma. Phyllostachys Atrovaginata or 'Incense Bamboo' was formerly known as Congesta before a name change to Atrovaginata by the American Bamboo Society. This is a shorter bamboo at maturity than most bamboos of this genus. Congesta is a straight bamboo with limbs that run almost perpendicular to the cane. It has a darker foliage than many bamboos and is very hardy. It can withstand temperatures down to -5 degrees. Phyllostachys Congest 'Incense Bamboo' is one of the few Phyllostachys species suited to wetland sites and is very cold hardy. This bamboo actually has air channels within the roots which allow it to adapt to wet soil sites. Culms (canes) are green, nodes are very pronounced and the canes taper. Very upright culms. E