The Heavenly Bamboo is a great plant for year around interest. It's not actually in the bamboo family, so it doesn't have their pesky problems of spreading everywhere. It does have the light and airy look of bamboo and is great when you need a plant with some height, color, and texture. It grows 5' - 7', has lightly branched cane like stems, and delicate narrow leaves that open pinkish bronze, then turn green as they mature.

It has small white flowers in the spring and bright red berries that persist through the winter. There are many varieties. One of my favorites is 'Plum Passion'. It has purple new growth and dark purple stems. Heavenly Bamboo can be placed in shade or on a wall with East exposure. It doesn't like a hot west or south exposure. I like to use it in the shade between a path and a house for height and contrast. It looks great with Ferns or Hostas dancing at its feet. Heavenly Bamboo is evergreen in the Pacific Northwest. Sunset Western Garden Book says it holds its leaves down to 5 degrees and will die down to the ground at 0 degrees, but I've had one for over 10 years with no die back even in 3 or 4 day stints of 0 degree weather.