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bamboo

Hale Black Bamboo

Phyllostachys nigra 'Hale'

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Hale Black Bamboo (Phyllostachys nigra 'Hale') at Lakeshore Garden Centres

Hale Black Bamboo stems

Hale Black Bamboo stems

(Photo courtesy of NetPS Plant Finder)

Hale Black Bamboo (Phyllostachys nigra 'Hale') at Lakeshore Garden Centres

Hale Black Bamboo foliage

Hale Black Bamboo foliage

(Photo courtesy of NetPS Plant Finder)

Height:  15 feet

Spread:  5 feet

Sunlight:  full sun  partial shade  full shade 

Hardiness Zone:  7b

Description:

This rare form of black bamboo is compact and hardier than the species; culms turn jet black very quickly; impressive along borders or as a focal point; a running form that may need roots to be contained

Ornamental Features

Hale Black Bamboo is primarily valued in the landscape for its pronouncedly upright and towering form. Its pointy leaves remain forest green in colour throughout the year. The black stems are very colorful and add to the overall interest of the plant.

Landscape Attributes

Hale Black Bamboo is an herbaceous evergreen perennial with a rigidly upright and towering form. Its relatively fine texture sets it apart from other garden plants with less refined foliage.

This is a high maintenance plant that will require regular care and upkeep, and is best cleaned up in early spring before it resumes active growth for the season. Gardeners should be aware of the following characteristic(s) that may warrant special consideration;

  • Spreading

Hale Black Bamboo is recommended for the following landscape applications;

  • Accent
  • Mass Planting
  • Hedges/Screening
  • General Garden Use
  • Container Planting

Planting & Growing

Hale Black Bamboo will grow to be about 15 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 5 feet. It tends to be leggy, with a typical clearance of 6 feet from the ground, and should be underplanted with lower-growing perennials. It grows at a fast rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 20 years. As an evegreen perennial, this plant will typically keep its form and foliage year-round.

This plant performs well in both full sun and full shade. It prefers to grow in average to moist conditions, and shouldn't be allowed to dry out. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. This is a selected variety of a species not originally from North America. It can be propagated by division; however, as a cultivated variety, be aware that it may be subject to certain restrictions or prohibitions on propagation.

Hale Black Bamboo is a fine choice for the garden, but it is also a good selection for planting in outdoor pots and containers. Its large size and upright habit of growth lend it for use as a solitary accent, or in a composition surrounded by smaller plants around the base and those that spill over the edges. It is even sizeable enough that it can be grown alone in a suitable container. Note that when growing plants in outdoor containers and baskets, they may require more frequent waterings than they would in the yard or garden. Be aware that in our climate, most plants cannot be expected to survive the winter if left in containers outdoors, and this plant is no exception. Contact our experts for more information on how to protect it over the winter months.

This plant is not reliably hardy in our region, and certain restrictions may apply; contact the store for more information.

 
 
Hardiness Zone Plant Height Minimum Sunlight
Characteristics
Accent  Massing  Screening  Garden  Container 
Applications
Texture  Plant Form  Bark  Winter Value 
Ornamental Features