Pleioblastus pumilus (30/12/2013, Kew Gardens, London)
Position: Full sun to partial shade
Flowering period: N/A
Soil: Moist, well drained
Eventual Height: 80cm
Eventual Spread: 3m
Hardiness: 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
Family: Poaceae
Pleioblastus pumilus is an evergreen bamboo with a spreading habit and erect canes. Its dark green leaves are lanceolate with entire margins, up to 7cm long and 15mm broad. Its roots are rhizomes which aids its spread and given the right conditions may become invasive.
Pleioblastus pumilus, commonly known as Pleioblastus, is native to Japan. Pleioblastus pumilus is synonymous with Arundinaria pumila.
The etymological root of the binomial name Pleioblastus is derived from the Greek pleios meaning ‘many’ and blastos meaning ‘shoot’. Pumilus is from the Latin meaning ‘dwarf’.
The landscape architect may find Pleioblastus pumilus useful as an effective ground cover bamboo. It may be used to stabilise banks or used as part of a woodland planting scheme due to its shade tolerance. It dislike drought conditions.
Pleioblastus pumilus Leaf (30/12/2013, Kew Gardens, London)
Ecologically, Pleioblastus pumilus is of little wildlife value in the UK.
Pleioblastus pumilus prefers moist, fertile, humus rich, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil. It will tolerate poor soils.
Pleioblastus pumilus 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.
