Shibataea kumasaca
Okame-zasa, Bamboo
- Height × spread
- 0.6m × 2m
- Position
- Tolerates full sun, likes part shade, tolerates light shade
- Hardiness
- Very cold to -20C (RHS H6)
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
This is a slow growing bamboo that has slender stalks. It carries dark green, rather slender leaves; white tinted in winter when the plant withdraws chlorophyll from them. It is a useful dwarf form. Prune out the old growth when the new growth appears to maintain an attractive outline. This can tolerate sunshine but does best in a moist, partly shaded site. This reaches around 60cm (2ft) height with 1m (3ft) spread, though it will naturally expand ever outwards
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Stem colour
- Green
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Column
- Height
- 0.6m
- Spread
- 2m
- Spread in 10 years
- 1m
- Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Garden style
- Shady court
- Sun or shade
- Tolerates full sun, likes part shade, tolerates light shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Clay, Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Damp and wet soil
- Hardiness
- Very cold to -20C (RHS H6)
- 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.