Green Bamboo
(Phyllostachys bissetii)

The Green Bamboo, also known by its Latin name of Phyllostachys bissetii, loves to stay fresh, so it is more than likely to brighten up your garden even on the dreariest of days. The exotic evergreen creates a dense screen with its thriving green stems, which can add diversity and texture to your garden. Even better, it is low maintenance too!

Green Bamboo, can however, tend to be invasive. They will survive and thrive in spaces with plenty of room- you can do this by planting in a pot twice the size of the root (and even underground). If placed in a good position, it will grow up to 6m tall, but this will only be reached if the Bamboo is treated well and its planted slightly below ground level (an inch or two), with a dish around the bottom of the canes to collect rainwater.

Green Bamboo usually takes a year or two to fully settle down and begin to establish properly. They must be watered well and fed during alternating Spring times during this period. The plant generally prefers to be placed in a sunny or semi-shady position, and if done so, will grow about 60-90cm per year. Planting in dry soil will slow down their growth rate, so for it to fully develop, plant in moist soil.

Green Bamboo usually takes a year or two to fully settle down and begin to establish properly. They must be watered well and fed during alternating Spring times during this period. The plant generally prefers to be placed in a sunny or semi-shady position, and if done so, will grow about 60-90cm per year. Planting in dry soil will slow down their growth rate, so for it to fully develop, plant in moist soil.

• 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

Pruning of the Green Bamboo should be done regularly to maintain a desired height/shape. You should also remove dead, and dying, stems in the Spring, as well as any new shoots (so they can fully establish to the height of the plant). General trimming and pruning must be done twice a year- in early June, as well as late September.

When should I plant Green Bamboo hedging?

The best time to plant Bamboo is at the beginning of spring, when the temperatures just begin to warm up.

How far apart do you plant Green Bamboo plants?

If you are wanting a dense quickly, plant around 3-5ft apart, and it will establish very well within 1-2 years. If time is not a problem, however, you can get away with planting around 6ft-8ft apart, as they have a fast and vigorous growth and will establish within 3-5 years.

How to plant Green Bamboo:

Before planting, ensure that any heavily pot bound roots are spread out. Give the root ball a good soaking in a large tub of water for 20 minutes (or spray with a garden hose), to help moisten the root ball thoroughly.

Then, dig a hole that's 1.5-2 times bigger than the depth and width of the root ball. Work in some compost/manure into the dug-up soil, and then add around 1/3 of grit (but only if the soil is rather heavy). Be sure to leave a decent layer of compost on the bottom, and that the plant's root ball is slightly lower than the depth of the hole - so that backfilling soil can be placed on top of the original soil.

Backfill the hole with excess soil, and press down lightly to secure the plant. Fertiliser is not recommended, but water thoroughly to remove any air pockets and add some mulch (consisting of compost, hay, grass, manure, or leaf mould).

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