About
A dwarf, compact bamboo, forming dense, leafy clumps with pale green canes to 1.5m in height, maturing to dull brown. with dark green leaves to 10cm in length.
About the genus
Shibataea are low-growing evergreen bamboos, very slowly spread to form clumps of vegetation with slightly sinuous, slender canes and lance-shaped leaves
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun, Partial shade
Soil typeClay, Loam
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, North-facing, West-facing, East-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH6
Plant details
Plant typeBamboos
HabitClump forming
FoliageEvergreen
Height1-1.5 metres
Spread0.5-1 metres
Time to full height5-10 years
Suggested usesArchitectural, Patio and container plants
Native toJapan
Care notes
CultivationGrow in moderately fertile, moist but well-drained or damp soil in partial shade, or full sun where soil stays damp in spring and summer. Usually clump-forming but 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 young rhizome cuttings and the division of established plants in Spring
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to slugs
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free