The sweet Bamboo, Phyllostachys   nuda available for purchase on line from the Pot and Grass Co. Colchester Essex UK

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" Phyllostachys nuda".

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Description - Phyllostachys nuda.

• This bamboo is extensively cultivated in China for its sweet shoots. A very  tough  and  exposure tolerant bamboo, taking climate extremes in its stride. It can be  a quick developing bamboo rapidly forming a mound of green foliage. New culms vary from blackish to wine red holding a dark colour with white felted nodal rings. Its dark leaves act as a fine backdrop for flowering shrubs or perennials. This bamboo can also be used for cane production.

Phyllostachys is a genus of bamboo from the North Lowlands of China. Some are extremely tough cookies   and very exposure tolerant. This genus offers some of the best ornamental bamboos that are truly hardy in the United Kingdom.

In their native warmer regions of China their root system which is intermediate can wander, however in the cooler more temperate zones of the UK,  apart from one or two exceptions they are remarkably well behaved and reliably clump forming with slow lateral spread.

Except where indicated on the left,   most are quite easy to grow with only an annual hair cut and brush out   to worry about. A good organic mulching and an annual feed are always appreciated. Remember to let fallen leaves compost down around the plant to replace valuable silica.

Most Phyllostachys prefer full sun but some will tolerate light or dappled shade, apart from that they are not particular about the soil they are in but preferring heavier richer soils that can be kept evenly moist but not waterlogged.

Once the plants are established they are fairly drought tolerant however they need to be kept watered until they have a proper foothold.

On the whole they are mostly pest free. Maybe an occasional attack of Aphids Mealy bugs   Vine weevil or the dreaded mite. If you don't mind chemicals spray with a propriety insecticide or alternatively use one of the organic sprays now available. If mites are the problem cut down the canes and burn them along with any fallen leaves and spray the surrounding area with miticide.

Maximum   Height and Width in 10 Years.

Bio Data

For more information there are many excellent reference books available in particular " Bamboos and Grasses" John Ardel. Collins Press. " Taming the Dragon" , Paul Whittaker, Timber Press.
Also take a look at The European Bamboo Society. The American Bamboo Society. The Australian Bamboo Society, Bamboo in Scandinavian