Sasaella masamuneana 'Albostriata'
White striped bamboo, White striped shiya-zasa
Also known as Sasa glabra f. albostriata, Arundinaria purpurea
- Height × spread
- 1.8m × 2m
- Position
- Full sun
- 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 is a useful dwarf bamboo with excellent foliage quality. The plant has leathery, neat looking leaves with white variegation. This is especially good in spring, and turns to yellow as the season progresses. During the winter the leaves can become pendulous and may even turn white at the edges. It is an excellent plant for a container and is also useful to colonize wild areas, accommodating conditions in the vicinity of trees. It is inadvisable to grow it near any precious plants as it has a naturally spreading growth habit. Its beauty is improved by thinning, removing some canes to the ground, early in spring, and can also be trimmed to encourage the young and most beautiful growth.
- Foliage colour
- Green, White
- Stem colour
- Green
- Variegated
- Yes
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Cube
- Height
- 1.8m
- Spread
- 2m
- Season of interest
- Spring
- Evergreen
- Evergreen
- Garden style
- Seaside garden
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun, likes part shade, tolerates light shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Damp and wet soil
- Hardiness
- Average winter to - 10C (RHS H4)
- Borders & containers
- Borders and containers
- Use for
- Deer resistant, Rabbit resistant, Bird attraction
- Hazards
- No
Spring
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed with slow release fertiliser
Apply a general purpose slow release fertiliser, spreading it around the root area of the plant as it is coming into growth. (Or apply a liquid feed at regular intervals throughout the growing season.)
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost as a single annual procedure.
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 · Planting
Divide when too large
The plant can be divided in alternate years. Clumps may be divided into two or more pieces. Rhizomes can be cut whilst small bulbs or offsets are detached. The new plants can be grown in a container or planted in the ground.