About
Pleioblastus viridistriatus, kamuro-zasa, is a small, evergreen bamboo forming a compact colony of erect, purplish-green canes to 2 m with narrow, yellow and green striped leaves to 20 cm long. An ornamental and colourful bamboo for a sheltered, sunny or partly shaded garden.
About the genus
Pleioblastus are evergreen bamboos with vigorously spreading rhizomes forming dense thickets of slender canes bearing several leafy branches at each node. Grown as ornamental bamboos for screens, ground cover and garden specimens.
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun
Soil typeClay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectWest-facing, South-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH5
Plant details
Plant typeBamboos
HabitSuckering
FoliageEvergreen
Height2.5-4 metres
Spread1.5-2.5 metres
Time to full height5-10 years
Suggested usesArchitectural
Native toJapan
Care notes
CultivationGrow in fertile, humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil, in full sun or partial shade. Protect from cold drying winds. Creeping rootstock can become invasive in warm, moist or favourable conditions and need restraining ; 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
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to slugs
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free