About
Pseudosasa japonica, the arrow bamboo, is a vigorous and tough, spreading, evergreen bamboo to 6 m forming a thicket of olive-green canes with copious, narrow, shiny, green leaves to 25 cm long. A reliable and ornamental bamboo for screening and woodland planting.
About the genus
Pseudosasa are tall, clump-forming to spreading, evergreen bamboos forming large thickets of hollow canes and dark-green, lance-shaped leaves. Panicles of green or brownish flower spikelets may appear at any time of year.
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun, Partial shade
Soil typeClay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing, East-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH5
Plant details
Plant typeBamboos
HabitClump forming, Suckering
FoliageEvergreen
Height4-8 metres
Spread2.5-4 metres
Time to full height5-10 years
Suggested usesArchitectural, Coastal
Native toJapan & Korea
Care notes
CultivationGrow in fertile, humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil, in full sun or partial shade. Protect from cold drying winds. In favourably warm, moist conditions the creeping rootstock has the potential to become a nuisance. 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, divide clumps in spring, keep moist until established
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to slugs
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free