Pleioblastus variegatus
Dwarf white striped bamboo, Chigo-zasa
Also known as Pleioblastus fortunei, Arundinaria variegata
- Height × spread
- 0.9m × 1.5m
- Position
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Cold to -15C (RHS H5)
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
This jolly dwarf bamboo that has bright variegated leaves. The leaves present a spiky appearance: long and slender with creamy white stripes on the pale green base. The central stems are held erect and the plant makes a good clump. Give this a sunny or partly shaded site and ensure that there is always some moisture in the soil. It is best cut the bamboo back to ground level at the end of each winter to reinvigorate it. It will reach around 90cm (3ft) high and will spread around 1.5m (5ft) in ten years.
- Foliage colour
- Green, White
- Stem colour
- Green
- Variegated
- Yes
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Column
- Height
- 0.9m
- Spread
- 1.5m
- Evergreen
- Evergreen
- Garden style
- Seaside garden
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun, likes part shade, tolerates light shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Loam (normal), Poor soil
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Damp and wet soil, Well drained soil
- Hardiness
- Cold to -15C (RHS H5)
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Ground cover, Deer resistant
- 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.