Pseudosasa japonica (bambusa metake)

Pseudosasa japonica is an attractive bamboo with large, bright green leaves. They are 20-30 cm long, wide, and cover the plant almost entirely on all sides. The canes are olive green when young changing to beige with age. It grows medium fast to about 3-4m in our climate.

Bamboos like fertile, moist but well-drained soil with plenty of organic material. They do not like temperature swings and drying out. It is recommended to plant them a little deeper than what they were in the container. The soil must not be water-logged or too heavy to hold rainwater for too long. It is a running bamboo which will spread unless a root-barrier is used. If the top is damaged by severe frosts the plant will readily regenerate by end spring if the roots are well established. If you live in an area with low or no snowfall mulch it heavily before winter and water it before the first frost. Fully hardy to about -20°C (USDA zone 6b) and can take short spells down to -25°C.

Last update 06-01-2010