About
Upright, arching evergreen bamboo forming large, spreading clumps to 6m tall, with upright blue-grey young canes which age to brownish-red then deep red, and bearing very small, greyish-green leaves 5cm long.
About the genus
Thamnocalamus are graceful, vigorous, clump-forming evergreen bamboos. Thick, hollow canes may be covered by a waxy, glaucous blue-white bloom, and bear small greyish-green leaves
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun, Partial shade
Soil typeChalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH3
Plant details
Plant typeBamboos
HabitClump forming, Spreading branched
FoliageEvergreen
Height4-8 metres
Spread2.5-4 metres
Time to full height5-10 years
Suggested usesCottage and informal garden, Sub-tropical
Care notes
CultivationGrow in sun or part shade, tolerant of most soils but best in well-drained conditions. Suited to warmer climates with frost-free weather only. See bamboo cultivation for further advice
PruningThin clumps by removing older canes in spring as young canes emerge
PropagationPropagate by division of established clumps in spring
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free