Phyllostachys nigra – Black Bamboo

General Information: Strikingly ornamental and very popular. Abundant green foliage contrasts with black culms (canes). Culms are green at first, gradually turning black after 12 to 18 months. Black coloration develops best when plants are exposed to full sun. Forms a small, open grove; not particularly aggressive.  Culms tend to arch gracefully and may lie down when weighted by rain or other forms of precipitation. Culms are thin-walled, yet the wood is hard and tough. The wood is used for a number of purposes, including furniture and musical instruments, as well as decorative uses such as panels and inlays. Shoots are described as being acrid when raw, delicious cooked. These plants are somewhat shade tolerant, and may prefer a bit of shade when grown in hot climates, but should have plenty of light for optimal development. Has been reported to grow as large as 60′ tall and 3¼” in diameter in the U.S.

Cultivation Details: Running Bamboo such as this species can be aggressive and form large colonies. Consider installing a rhizome barrier, berm, trench, or adopting a strict mowing plan to limit the spread of this species. Although reported to be cold hardy, our plantings have shown that this species does not seem to attain maximum size in areas with cold winters. We often see canes completely die back in the winter, with significant leaf damage occurring at 5°F and total cane die back occurring at 0°F. On our farm, the canes of this species will rarely surpass 5 feet. We recommend this plant be grown with some protection in Zone 7, with Zones 8 and up being optimal growing climate.

Growing Requirements: Plant in full to part sun. Plants grown in part sun will be more spread out, creating a more open grove. Prefers moist soils. Tolerates clay soil. Shows leaf burn when grown in alkaline soil.