Zone 5/6 and I want large diameter culms

[SammyJ]

Im in a zone 5B in the North Okanagan of British Columbia, Canada. That is according to some Canadian plant hardiness map. I'm looking to grow a bamboo with the largest possible culms and as hardy as possible. I have already planted Phyllostachys nigra 'Henon' and Phyllostachys vivax aureocaulis. They should survive the winter I think, but I'm not sure if they will get huge. Also what other options do I have? If any at all. I'm not going any further than heavy mulch for protection in winter.

[stevelau1911]

Here's a list of what I believe to be the bamboos that have the ability to get into the 2-3 inch size range in zone 5b.

1. Phyllostachys Virella
2. Phyllostachys Atrovaginata
3. Phyllostachys Parvifolia
4. Phyllostachys Prominens
5. Phyllostachys Propinqua Beijing
6. Phyllostachys Dulcis Shanghai/Shanghai 2/Shanghai 3

If you provide winter protection every winter all the way until maturity, then some of the giant timber bamboos like vivax, moso and henon may have pretty good size potential, but if you summers are cooler, that is also a limiting factor on their potential size. Generally the cold hardier species have greater size potential in cold climate.

[SammyJ]

Well, summer is usually nice and hot here. That is a bonus. I'm going to look into some of those species you mentioned. I have room for more.