About
Sasa veitchii, Veitch's bamboo, is a small, dense-growing bamboo to 1.2 m forming spreading clumps of erect, slender canes bearing broadly lance-shaped leaves that develop characteristic papery, light-brown margins in winter. A rewarding and ornamental bamboo for a moist, sheltered garden � note that it spreads vigorously.
About the genus
Sasa are small bamboos with vigorously running, rapidly spreading rhizomes forming thickets of erect stems bearing relatively broad leaves. Grown as ornamental ground-cover bamboos in moist, sheltered gardens.
Growing conditions
SunlightFull shade, Full sun, Partial shade
Soil typeClay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, North-facing, West-facing, East-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH5
Plant details
Plant typeBamboos
HabitSuckering, Clump forming
FoliageEvergreen
Height1.5-2.5 metres
Spread2.5-4 metres
Time to full height5-10 years
Suggested usesArchitectural
Native toJapan
Care notes
CultivationGrow in fertile, humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil, best in partial shade. Protect from cold drying winds. Creeping rootstock can become very 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 young rhizome cuttings and the division of established plants in Spring
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to slugs
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free