The ebony stems of black bamboo are the perfect accent for that Asian-inspired garden you’ve dreamed of. This amazingly architectural plant bears all black canes that contrast with the bright green foliage. Dramatic day and night against the planes of modern architecture and colored walls, it’s time we rediscover Phyllostachys nigra for transforming spaces.
Despite the fact that black bamboo is known in Los Angeles, it is not tropical at all. It’s a temperate species cold hardy to zones 7-8. There can be significant frost damage at 5 degrees Fahrenheit.
Introduced relatively late, Phyllostachys nigra really caught on during the early 20th century in Southern California with its formerly popular yet invasive brother, Phyllostachys aurea. Both became plagues as they traveled vigorously into monster thickets by runners that grow so fast some say you can hear them. Often planted as privacy hedges, this invasiveness too often spread under fence lines to invade the neighbor, too.
Black bamboo does not need to be invasive if you treat it properly. Over the last few decades, folks have experimented with various bamboo root control devices to keep the clump tidy and architectural. Planting your 5-gallon nursery pot with the bamboo still inside provides a poor man’s root guard that prevents horizontal root growth.
Phyllostachys nigra makes an outstanding container plant, particularly when grown in large Asian style pots. Landscape pots can create a beautiful plant outdoors when placed in beds or on patio, eliminating the potential for invasiveness altogether. Pots also raise the bamboo up higher to put those gorgeous ebony stems right at eye level. Make sure the pot has a wide mouth to allow planting a big specimen for instant results and to make watering easer. Pots allow you to bring your Asian interior decor out on a balcony, rooftop or anywhere else that is in full sun.
The real key to creating a great nigra specimen is how you shape your plant. At the nursery they are big and bushy for use as screening material. In Asia the bamboo is trimmed to reveal the lower half of the canes with foliage left on top. At intervals on the canes they’ll leave a few twigs and leaves to create just the right balance. This is pruning that anyone can do to turn that black bamboo bush into your own personal sculpture.
The bamboo produces new shoots from culms, which rise from the root. This is the reason why bamboo prefers a wide mouth pot so there’s lots of room to send up new stems from underground. When young and green, the shoots are edible and enjoyed in Asian homes. The intact culms actually telescope as they grow into longer and longer segments.
Once mature, the green cane itself darkens with solar exposure to finally reach its ebony hue up to two years later. Over time, cycle out the oldest canes before they lose their color to bring indoors for accent arrangements, crafts or for staking tropicals.
Bamboo is a grass, which means it likes the same stuff as your lawn: water and nitrogen. Until the plants are older, there’s no need to add fertilizer. To slow growth keep plants on the drier side; for faster growth provide even moisture. Avoid wetting the black stems if you have hard water to prevent residue.
Phyllostachys nigra is widely available at garden centers, home improvement stores and online. Plan to special order yours for the optimal specimen and root ball to fit into the big pot you love.
Bamboo is able to bend with storm winds without breaking, only to stand straight again when it’s over. This has made it an important Asian symbol for bouncing back after the storms of life. There is no better plant to signal your change of life, mind and spirit in your outdoor spaces, gardens and landscapes.
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Maureen Gilmer is an author, horticulturist and landscape designer. Learn more at www.MoPlants.com
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