- Botanical name: Phyllostachys nigra
- Common name: Black bamboo
- Family: Poaceae
- Plant Type: Shrub, Evergreen
Green
- Key features:
- Colourful bark
Phyllostachys are attractive, tall, evergreen bamboos that make a strong architectural statement in the garden.
P. nigra is a large, elegant evergreen bamboo with arching, green stems that become shiny purple-black with age. It looks great in contemporary-style, jungle, or Japanese-style gardens and looks best planted as a single specimen.
For best results grow Phyllostachys aureosulcata f. aureocaulis in moist but well-drained soil. Although it’s one of the less invasive types of bamboo, precautions may be taken to restrict spread, such as planting in a large container or limiting the roots with a non-perishable barrier.
Show off the colourful stems
Remove some of the lower leaves of Phyllostachys nigra – this will show off the colourful stems.
How to grow Phyllostachys nigra
-
Plant size
4m height
4m spread
-
Aspect
South facing, west facing
-
Position in border
Back
- Sun exposure: Full sun, partial shade
- Hardiness: Hardy
- Soil type: Well drained / light / sandy / clay / heavy / moist / chalky / alkaline
Plant calendar
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plant | ||||||||||||
| Plant |
J
Do not Plant in January |
F
Do not Plant in February |
M
Do not Plant in March |
A
Do Plant in April |
M
Do Plant in May |
J
Do not Plant in June |
J
Do not Plant in July |
A
Do not Plant in August |
S
Do Plant in September |
O
Do Plant in October |
N
Do not Plant in November |
D
Do not Plant in December |
| Prune | ||||||||||||
| Prune |
J
Do not Prune in January |
F
Do not Prune in February |
M
Do not Prune in March |
A
Do Prune in April |
M
Do Prune in May |
J
Do not Prune in June |
J
Do not Prune in July |
A
Do not Prune in August |
S
Do not Prune in September |
O
Do not Prune in October |
N
Do not Prune in November |
D
Do not Prune in December |
Phyllostachys nigra and wildlife
Phyllostachys nigra has no particular known value to wildlife in the UK.
Is Phyllostachys nigra poisonous?
Phyllostachys nigra has no toxic effects reported.
No reported toxicity to Birds
No reported toxicity to Cats
No reported toxicity to Dogs
No reported toxicity to Horses
No reported toxicity to Livestock
No reported toxicity to People
Plants that go well with Phyllostachys nigra
Show off the colourful stems
Remove some of the lower leaves of Phyllostachys nigra – this will show off the colourful stems.
