Phyllostachys nigra

"Black Bamboo"

A dramatic specimen plant introduced from China around 1823.

In warmer climates it is capable of running but in the cooler conditions of the UK it usually remains clump forming except in very favourable growing areas.

Average height at maturity  12/15ft.(4/5m) or more.

Canes need to be exposed to full sun to develop the most intense stem colour which normally appears only in their second year.

Growth habit is upright or slightly arching.

Has tolerated  -20C. Protection from wind is desirable. 

The  leaves are fairly small and are  greyish beneath.

There may sometimes be some loss of foliage quality by the end of the winter but this will be concealed by new growth in  summer.

 RHS. award.

A very striking specimen plant. Can also be used for screening but fills out more slowly than such species as Phyllostachys aureosulcata.

Often grown in containers but foliage may then sometimes become rather pale.

Currently  only available from our "End of Lines " at reduced prices.

 In past years many thousands of Black Bamboo have been distributed, mainly imports of unknown parentage which probably consisted of a number of different clones. At least one of these clones has been flowering since around 2021 and has so far shown no signs of regrowth.  Consequently we have temporarily discontinued stocking this species except at reduced prices in our "End of line".   ( please see our online notes on flowering under "About Bamboos".

Phyllostachys nigra 'Punctata'  (no longer stocked) May be a more vigorous form, often almost identical in appearance.

  Phyllostachys nigra 'Hale' 

 A superb selected form which colours up very readily.

It has a compact growth habit and is rather slow growing so availability is always very limited.

At the nursery, after 16 years, 'Hale ' has reached a height of 360cm and formed only  a tight clump,  approx 75cm across .

Capable of forming glossy ebony black canes.

'Hale' is slow to propagate and  availability is limited.

Unlike some clones of Phyllostachys nigra, 'Hale' currently shows no signs of flowering but some of the other seleted forms such as 'Boreana'  and 'Fulva'  have in some instances flowered recently.                    

                                                                          Phyllostachys nigra 'Hale'

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