Chusquea culeou
Culeu, Chilean bamboo
Also known as Chusquea breviglumis
- Height × spread
- 6m × 2m
- Position
- Tolerates full sun, likes part shade, tolerates light shade
- Hardiness
- Average winter to - 10C (RHS H4)
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
This wonderful Chilean bamboo seems large enough to envelope an elephant in its shaggy arms. The canes are solid and hold the sprays of foliage in whorls along their length with canes arching massively outwards. An established grove of canes is an impressive sight. It is hardy and the ever-extending clumps can reach a height of 4m (13ft). Curiously, the plants always seem in short supply and hard to come by, though it has the RHS Award of Garden Merit and it is listed as widely available in the <I>RHS Plant Finder</I>. The young spring shoots are edible and are considered a delicacy in Chile, tasting not unlike fine asparagus. This would make a magnificent specimen if you have a substantial lawn.
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Stem colour
- Green
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Fan
- Height
- 6m
- Spread
- 2m
- Season of interest
- Winter
- Evergreen
- Evergreen
- Garden style
- Winter garden
- Sun or shade
- Tolerates full sun, likes part shade, tolerates light shade
- Soil type
- Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Damp and wet soil
- Hardiness
- Average winter to - 10C (RHS H4)
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Screening, Architectural, Bird attraction
- Hazards
- No
Spring
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed young plants with slow release fertiliser
Spread a slow release fertiliser around the base of the plant to the edge of the foliage spread, so that it can feed the roots. It is helpful for this to be applied for several years.
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost until the plant becomes well established.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Feed bamboo in pots
For bamboos in pots, it may be easier to feed the plant with a liquid fertiliser diluted in water. Stand the pot on a saucer or tray while the feed in water is absorbed by the plant. This may also help to revive bamboos that cannot be repotted.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water to keep the soil moist
For best results, this plant needs soil that is always moist. Water deeply and regularly as soon as soil appears dry. Even for established plants in the ground, a dry week can cause problems with some soils. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather. Or install an automatic irrigation system which will do the hard work for you, even when you are away on holiday.
Without regular watering some plants never fully regain their beauty.
Spring · Planting
Prune bamboo to thin the plant
Remove some of the old canes cutting them off at ground level.
The plant is more attractive if canes are spaced out, rather than crammed together.
Spring - early-mid · Planting
Divide when too large
The plant can be divided if it becomes too large or another plant is required. This may involve physically dividing the clump in two, removing offsets or small bulbs or dividing rhizomes. The new plants can be grown in pots or planted in the ground.