Black Bamboo
(Phyllostachys nigra)

The Phyllostachys nigra is an evergreen hedge in which its striking, black-coloured canes grow extremely fast (but please note that the canes will be a creamy-green colour within the first year of growth). It is the ideal plant if you are looking for something that‰ۡó»s low maintenance and tall. This species is named as ‰ۡÌÝÌárunning‰ۡó» bamboo, meaning that the roots can very easily spread out and become invasive, but do not worry, this is easy to restrict. Simply use a solid root barrier when you plant your Black Bamboo, and ensure you are diligent in cutting back any new canes as and when they appear. Also, importantly, make sure you plant in areas where there is lots of room for it to spread.

Black Bamboo originates from the South China where they use it for things like food and building materials. However, in the UK, we like to use Black Bamboo for its decorative qualities, as its seemingly becoming more and more popular in the garden designing industry. You can leave it to grow on its own as a standalone feature, or feel free to create an exotic hedge/evergreen screen.

It is possible for Black Bamboo to be grown in slightly dry soil; however, this is not recommended as it can tend to encourage the roots to spread and find moisture. Therefore, to achieve their full height (of up to 6m), ensure you plant in moist soil, just below ground level (an inch or two), with a dish around the bottom of the canes for rainwater to settle, and it is placed in a sunny or semi-shaded site.

Your Bamboo may take a year or two to fully settle and begin to develop- so make sure you water regularly until they fully establish, as well as feeding in springtime in alternate years (after the first shoots have reached their full height).

• Growth height: Fast (40-60cm per year)
• Ideal height: 2.5m+ Tall
• Soil Type Normal, moist
• Exposure: Exposed, Inland
• Aspect: Semi-shade, Sun
• Evergreen foliage? Yes

As the Black Bamboo species is so fast growing, pruning will need to be carried out quite regularly to keep it manageable and under a desired look. Damaged or unwanted canes must be cut down to ground level in the Spring, and new black bamboo shoots should also be pruned for them to establish to the height of the remaining plant.

Trimming should be done twice in a year- once in the beginning of June, and then again near the end of September. Make sure you only prune at these times, as you do not want to remove new, healthy shoots that are trying to grow.

When should I plant Black Bamboo hedging?

The best time to plant Black Bamboo is at the beginning of spring.

How far apart do you plant Black Bamboo plants?

You should plant around 3ft (90cm) apart. This is because the plants need a lot of space to be able to spread out nicely and effectively.

How to plant Black Bamboo:

First, dig a hole that's around twice as wide and deep as the plant's root mass. Work in some compost/manure into the soil, and then add around 1/3 of grit (but only if the soil is rather heavy). Ensure you leave a decent layer of compost at the bottom, and that the plant's root ball is slightly lower than the surface (so that a little backfilling soil can be placed on top of original soil).̴Ì?

Before planting, ensuring that any heavily pot bound roots are spread out. Give the root ball a good soaking, preferably by soaking in a large tub of water for 20 minutes. This helps to thoroughly moisten the root ball. Backfill the hole with excess soil and press down lightly to secure the plant. Fertiliser is not recommended for Black Bamboo.

Ensure you finally give it a thorough watering, to remove any air pockets, and add a layer of mulch (i.e. compost/hay/grass/manure/leaf mould). Continue to water well throughout its first 2 years after planting - around 2-3 times per week is best.