About
A vigorous, erect, evergreen bamboo forming clumps of green canes to 7m tall with short branches and dark emerald, narrow leaves to 25cm long.
About the genus
Semiarundinaria are tall, upright, vigorous bamboos with running rhizomes but may form dense clumps in cooler areas; smooth canes bear several branches at each node with narrowly lance-shaped leaves
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun, Partial shade
Soil typeLoam
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing, East-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH6
Plant details
Plant typeBamboos
HabitClump forming, Suckering
FoliageEvergreen
Height4-8 metres
Spread1.5-2.5 metres
Time to full height5-10 years
Suggested usesArchitectural
Native toS Japan
Care notes
CultivationGrow in moderately fertile, humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil, in full sun or light dappled shade. May remain clump-forming in colder areas, poor or dry soils but 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 young rhizome cuttings and the division of established plants in spring
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to slugs eating new shoots
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free