Pleioblastus chino (30/12/2013, Kew Gardens, London)
Position: Full sun
Flowering period: N/A
Soil: Moist, well drained
Eventual Height: 3m
Eventual Spread: 1.5m
Hardiness: 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
Family: Poaceae
Pleioblastus chino is an evergreen bamboo with a spreading habit and erect canes. Its mid green leaves are lanceolate with entire margins, up to 25cm long and 22mm broad. Its canes may achieve diameter of up to 2cm. Its roots are rhizomes which aids its spread and given the right conditions may become invasive.
Pleioblastus chino, commonly known as Pleioblastus, is native to Japan and east China. Pleioblastus chino is synonymous with Arundinaria chino.
The etymological root of the binomial name Pleioblastus is derived from the Greek pleios meaning ‘many’ and blastos meaning ‘shoot’. Chino is derived from the Japanese vernacular, being the name for a small bamboo.
The landscape architect may find Pleioblastus chino useful as a screening or hedging bamboo as its canes have a dense habit.
Pleioblastus chino Leaf (30/12/2013, Kew Gardens, London)
Ecologically, Pleioblastus chino is of little wildlife value in the UK.
Pleioblastus chino prefers moist, fertile, humus rich, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil.
Pleioblastus chino requires little maintenance. Large clumps may be divided in spring. A root barrier may be installed at the time of planting to restrict the spread of this plant.