About
Phyllostachys flexuosa, the sinuate bamboo, is an elegant, evergreen bamboo with slightly glossy, green, wavy canes to 3 m that mature to yellow-brown then almost black. Narrow, glossy, dark-green leaves to 15 cm long retain their colour through winter. A beautiful, architectural bamboo for a sheltered, sunny or partly shaded garden � can spread vigorously via running rhizomes.
About the genus
Phyllostachys are large, elegant, evergreen bamboos with running rhizomes producing grooved canes � grooved on alternate sides between the nodes � with usually two leafy branches at each node. Ornamental specimen plants for sheltered gardens.
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun, Partial shade
Soil typeLoam
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH6
Plant details
Plant typeBamboos
HabitSuckering
FoliageEvergreen
Height2.5-4 metres
Spread2.5-4 metres
Time to full height5-10 years
Suggested usesArchitectural, Patio and container plants
Native toChina
Care notes
CultivationGrow in fertile, humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil, in full sun or partial shade. Protect from cold drying winds. After flowering cut back hard and feed using a balanced fertiliser. In a container grow in a peat-free, loam-based compost and feed with a balanced liquid fertiliser on a monthly basis during the growing season. May remain clump-forming in poor or dry soils but can become invasive in warm, moist or favourable conditions; see bamboo control and bamboo cultivation
PruningRemove weak, dead, damaged or spindly stems in spring and thin to show off stems to best effect. Cut out any flowering shoots promptly to discourage more from forming - see bamboo cultivation
PropagationPropagate by division in spring
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to slugs
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free