About

Chusquea valdiviensis is a rare and vigorous evergreen climbing bamboo. In its natural habitat, it can attain heights of up to 25 meters, creating dense stands. The plant features narrow, dark green lanceolate leaves that can grow up to 18 cm long. These leaves emerge from nodes along the stems, enabling the bamboo to climb effectively and potentially overshadow surrounding trees and shrubs.

About the genus

Chusquea consists of evergreen bamboos that develop in dense clusters, characterized by their smooth, shiny, and solid stems. Each node features three primary branches that extend freely, producing abundant small, dark green leaves.

Growing conditions

Sunlight
Full sun, Partial shade
Soil type
Loam
Soil pH
Acid, Neutral
Soil moisture
Moist but well-drained
Aspect
East-facing, South-facing, West-facing
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness
H3

Plant details

Plant type
Bamboos
Habit
Clump forming, Suckering, Climbing
Foliage
Evergreen
Height
Higher than 12 metres
Spread
wider than 8 metres
Time to full height
10-20 years
Suggested uses
Architectural, Cottage and informal garden

Care notes

Cultivation
Grow in fertile, humus-rich, leafy, moist but well-drained soil in sun or partial shade, sheltered from cold, dry winds. See bamboo cultivation. Note this bamboo forms large impenetrable areas in its native South America, and is not likely to be suited to most garden cultivation. See bamboo control
Pruning
Remove weak, dead, damaged or spindly stems in spring and to show off stems to best effect. Cut out any flowering shoots promptly to discourage more from forming
Propagation
Propagate by seed, division or by removing sections of rhizomes with a stem and root, in spring
Pest resistance
May be susceptible to slug damage on young growth
Disease resistance
Generally disease-free