About
Bambusa vulgaris is a large, clump-forming bamboo found in tropical and subtropical regions. In its natural environment, it can grow over 20 meters tall, forming dense stands of upright canes that eventually arch. The canes are typically bright green or feature green-striped yellow patterns, with diameters ranging from 4 to 10 centimeters. The leaves are mid-green and can reach lengths of up to 25 centimeters.
About the genus
This extensive and robust genus comprises clump-forming bamboos found across various regions, including Asia, China, the Himalayas, and Northern Australia. Some species can attain heights of approximately 11 meters. While the leaves are predominantly green, the stems exhibit a range of colors, including yellow, green, and red.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Full sun, Partial shade
- Soil type
- Clay, Loam
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained
- Aspect
- East-facing, South-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H1C
Plant details
- Plant type
- Bamboos
- Habit
- Clump forming
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Height
- Higher than 12 metres
- Spread
- wider than 8 metres
- Time to full height
- 10-20 years
- Suggested uses
- Sub-tropical
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Grow in moist but well-drained, humus-rich soil in sun or part shade in a sheltered position. Not suited to average size garden use. Often planted as an industrial or commercial crop, to stabilise soil erosion or border lands, but may have the potential to become a nuisance and can be difficult to control. See bamboo control and bamboo cultivation for further advice
- Pruning
- No pruning required. Stems can be thinned where required
- Propagation
- Divide clumps in spring
- Pest resistance
- May be susceptible to damage from slugs on young growth
- Disease resistance
- May be susceptible to honey fungus (rarely)