How to neaten sacred bamboo

Slow growing, it rarely needs pruning, but it does benefit from a little maintenance in spring. Removing some of the oldest stems and any dead material will ensure you can fully appreciate this shrub's elegant architectural shape.

Here's how to tidy your plant in three simple steps.

You Will Need

• Secateurs

Step 1

Use secateurs to remove about a third of the oldest upright stems, cutting them back to a low joint or right down to the ground.

Step 2

Prune out the old flower stalks and any remains of the old berries, cutting back to the top of the stem, or just above a leaf.

Step 3

Check the rest of the plant, cutting out any dead or weak shoots back to where they meet a strong stem with leaves attached.