Pleioblastus pygmaeus
Pygmy bamboo, Dwarf fern-leafed bamboo, Keoroshima-chiku
Also known as Arundinaria pygmaea, Sasa pygmaea
- Height × spread
- 0.3m × 5m
- Position
- All conditions
- Hardiness
- Colder than -20C (RHS H7)
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
This is one of those quiet, shy plants that will quietly and competently expand. It spreads by means of underground runners and makes attractive dense clumps of long elliptic leaves, coloured mid green. In the winter the leaves often have a white edge, or some leaves may be shed. It is a good plant for ground cover, and, preferring a lightly shaded spot, is immensely tolerant, and can be used in dry and even sunny areas, which may stunt its enthusiasm without killing it. It makes soothing ground cover beneath trees. There is no record that this form has ever flowered. In a sunny spot its spread is infinite.
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Stem colour
- Green
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Cube
- Height
- 0.3m
- Spread
- 5m
- Spread in 10 years
- 1.5m
- Season of interest
- Winter
- Evergreen
- Evergreen
- Garden style
- Seaside garden
- Sun or shade
- All conditions
- Soil type
- Chalk, Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Damp and wet soil, Well drained soil, Dry and shady soil, Drought resistant
- Hardiness
- Colder than -20C (RHS H7)
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Ground cover, 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 - 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.
Spring-Autumn · Planting
Root pruning to control invasive growth
Use a sharp spade to dig into the soil, cut and remove bamboo rhizomes and roots that are outside the desired growing area. Do this 2-3 times during the growing season.
Planting & general
Root barrier · Planting
HDPE root barrier to prevent invasive growth
Add an HDPE (high density polyethylene) root barrier around the edge of the growing space when planting to prevent invasive growth. Dig a trench at least 1.2m deep. Line the sides and overlap the material by 30cm. Barrier should be 7.5cm above soil level.