Phyllostachys nuda (30/11/14, Kew Gardens, London)
Position: Sun to light shade
Flowering Period: N/A
Soil: Moist, well drained
Eventual Height: 10m
Eventual Spread: 6m
Hardiness: 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a
Family: Poaceae
Phyllostachys nuda is a fast growing evergreen, running bamboo with an upright habit. Its dark green leaves are linear with entire margins and are up to 16cm long and 2cm broad. Its dark green culms are up to 4cm in diameter. Its culm appear almost back as they emerge in spring. This plant produces underground rhizomes which aids its spread.
Phyllostachys nuda, commonly known as Nude Sheath Bamboo, is native to east China. In its native habitat it grows in monotypic stands of bamboo forest.
The etymological root of the binomial name Phyllostachys is derived from the Greek phyllon meaning ‘leaf’ and stachys meaning ‘spike’. Nuda is from the Latin meaning ‘bare’.
The landscape architect may find Phyllostachys nuda useful as a useful as a screening hedging plant that is low maintenance. Caution must be exercised when specifying this plant due to its potentially invasive nature. A root barrier may be used to contain its spread. This bamboo is some what drought tollerant.
Ecologically, Phyllostachys nuda is of little wildlife value in the UK.
Phyllostachys nuda Leaf (30/11/14, Kew Gardens, London)
Phyllostachys nuda prefers moist, humus rich, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil.
Phyllostachys nuda requires little to no maintenance. A root barrier may be installed at the time of planting to restrict the spread of this plant. The plant may be thinned out of required and spent canes may be cut back to the ground level.
