Although Al Jolson introduced the song, Toot, Toot, Tootsie, Goodbye back in 1927 in the movie The Jazz Singer, I find myself singing “Toot, Toot, Tootsik, Hello!” whenever I pass Sinobambusa Tootsik ‘Albostriata’ in the nursery.

Tootsik is a slow-spreading running bamboo with beautiful variegated leaves.  It has an upright stature and is relatively short, topping out at less that 20-feet tall.

The beautiful variegated leaves of Tootsik Bamboo are the first thing most people notice about this slow-spreading running bamboo

Its small size, attractive leaves and upright growth pattern make Tootsik is an excellent choice for a container plant.  It also does well when planted outside in a partially shady location where this ornamental makes an eye-catching addition to the landscape.

Tootsik is a slow spreader that is easy to control by mowing.  It tends to form ‘clumps’ as it slowly grows in its preferred location – a semi-shady area.

 
Tootsik is cold-hardy to 10-degrees with canes that grow to be about 1.5″ diameter.