Pot Grown Black Bamboo
(Phyllostachys nigra)

We've dedicated time and care into growing your pot grown plant, so it arrives looking stunningly new and healthy.

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 it is pot grown, you can easily leave the plant in its pot for a few days/weeks before planting. Just ensure you keep it well-watered, and it gets enough sun. Don't leave for too long, however, as you don't want the roots to become root bound.

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.