About
A large, fast-growing, evergreen bamboo, clump-forming then spreading, and about 8m tall. Upright, rich green canes to 7cm across, the emerging shoots dark red, maturing have vertical stripes in shades of yellow and yellow-green, with narrow tapered mid-green leaves 12-15cm long.
About the genus
Phyllostachys are attractive, large, evergreen bamboos with running rhizomes, although in cool temperate climates may initially behave like clump-forming genera. Canes grooved on alternate sides between the nodes, with usually two leafy branches at each node
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun, Partial shade
Soil typeClay, Loam
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectEast-facing, North-facing, South-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH5
Plant details
Plant typeBamboos
HabitClump forming, Suckering
FoliageEvergreen
Height8-12 metres
Spreadwider than 8 metres
Time to full height10-20 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. In a container grow in a peat-free, loam-based potting compost and feed with a balanced liquid fertiliser monthly during the growing season. May remain clump-forming in poor or dry soils but has the potential to become a nuisance 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
PropagationPropagate by division in spring
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to damage from slugs on new growth
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free