Black Bamboo is a moderate growing ornamental grass that can be grown in USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 7A through 11. It matures to an average height of 20 feet to 30 feet and an average width of 6 inches to 1 foot, depending on climate and other environmental factors. It prefers growing in a location that provides full sun, morning sun with afternoon shade, morning shade with afternoon sun or filtered sun and grows best when planted in loam, clay or silt soil that is well drained. The foliage is medium green in color. It attracts visual attention and is resistant to deer and heat.

Black Bamboo can be useful in the landscape in mass plantings, as a buffer or screen, as a background or in landscape beds or islands and also in theme gardens.

Description

Introduced in 1827, black bamboo became the first hardy oriental bamboo and is reported to be the only species in which the culm turns a true ebony color, making it an excellent selection for the ornamental landscape. New canes emerge green and turn ebony black within two years, reaching 15 to 30 feet in height depending on location. The culm sheath have wavy blades with prominent oral setae, auricles and ligules.

It can withstand temperatures to -4 F however top and foliage damage in the low teens if plants are exposed to drying winds. It's best to plant black bamboo in colder areas where it will be protected from wind. In shaded sites the culms are not as erect as some other species and tend to weep or arch over. Pruning can correct this behavior.

Black Bamboo is a running bamboo, which means it spreads. Bamboo can be easily controlled in a small area (a normal city yard) simply by mowing or stepping on the young shoots. Keep in mind that running bamboo only puts up new shoots for a short time each year, and when they are "shooting", the new plants are very fragile and easy to destroy.  New shoots could also be used for culinary purposes and cooked, much like asparagus.  Root pruning, a Bamboo Root Barrier or growing plants in above- or below-ground containers are other methods to control spread.

Gardener Direct carries Bamboo fertilizer and planting soil containing Biochar, a highly porous material that allows for long term water and nutrient holding capabilities. 

Uses

Containers/Pots: Good
Crafts: Good
Edible: Good
Hedge: Good
Indoor: 6 hours min. sun
Ornamental: Excellent
Privacy Screen: Excellent
Specimen: In containers
Wood Quality: Good

Details

USDA Cold Hardiness Zones: 6-11
Type: Running
Height: Up to 30''
Spread: 5'+ with no control
Culm Diameter: 2"
Sun: Sun or Part Shade
Soil: Average
Growth Rate: Fast

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