Chusquea gigantea (28/08/2014, Rue de la Pointe Park, Brest, France)
Position: Full sun to light shade
Flowering period: N/A
Soil: Moist, well drained
Eventual Height: 15m
Eventual Spread: 2m
Hardiness: 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11
Family: Poaceae
Chusquea gigantea is an evergreen, fast growing bamboo with a clump, upright forming habit. Its mid green leaves are lanceolate with entire margins, a pointed tip, up to 12cm long and 1cm broad. Its yellow/ green canes are straight and solid and up to 6cm in diameter. Its flowers are in the form of a panicle and like most bamboos it will die after flowering. Its roots produce rhizomes which aids its slow spread.
Chusquea gigantea Stem (28/08/2014, Rue de la Pointe Park, Brest, France)
Chusquea gigantea, commonly known as the Giant Chusquea Bamboo, is native to south South America. In its native habitat it grows in temperate forests.
The etymological root of the binomial name Chusquea is derived from the vernacular name Chusque, a name given to one of the members of this genus in South America. Gigantea is from the Latin meaning ‘like that of the Giants’.
The landscape architect may find Chusquea gigantea useful as a specimen bamboo or as an evergreen informal hedge. This bamboo is very tolerant of maritime conditions. Once established this bamboo is drought tolerant.
Ecologically, Chusquea gigantea is of little value in the UK.
Chusquea gigantea Leaf (28/08/2014, Rue de la Pointe Park, Brest, France)
The Royal Horticultural Society has given Chusquea gigantea their prestigious Award of Garden Merit in 2012.
Chusquea gigantea prefers moist, fertile, humus rich, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil.
Chusquea gigantea requires little maintenance.
