Description:

This striking variety features large, drooping leaves, and thick green culms with white rings at the nodes; this species is prized for its tasty shoots that rise in early spring; very impressive along borders or as a focal point, but must be controlled

Ornamental Features

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

Landscape Attributes

Sweetshoot 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
• Suckering

Sweetshoot Bamboo is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Accent
• Mass Planting
• Hedges/Screening
• Naturalizing And Woodland Gardens

Planting & Growing

Sweetshoot Bamboo will grow to be about 40 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 6 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 does best in full sun to partial shade. It prefers to grow in average to moist conditions, and shouldn't be allowed to dry out. This plant does not require much in the way of fertilizing once established. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. This species is not originally from North America. It can be propagated by division.