Giant bamboo has recently become very popular in the plant trade. Even if the plants on offer are usually not the real giant bamboo. Nevertheless, the species commonly referred to as such offer a nice range of garden design options.
What is giant bamboo used for in German gardens?
Giant bamboo (Phyllostachys) is a large bamboo plant that is native to Asian countries and serves as a privacy screen in German gardens. Giant bamboo grows quickly, reaching heights of up to 10 meters and requires a rhizome barrier for control. Varieties such as Phyllostachys vivax 'Aureocaulis', Phyllostachys bissetii and Phyllostachys nigra offer different coloring and frost tolerance.
Origin
To say it up front: In this article we are not dealing with the real giant bamboo, the Dendrocalamus giganteus. This actually largest type of bamboo grass is actually irrelevant for the average hobby gardener. In its tropical, Far Eastern homeland, the Dendrocalamus giganteus grows to a height of around 40 meters and forms enormous stalks of up to 35 centimeters - so it does not fit into a normal German private garden for both climatic and space reasons. In this country it can only be admired in tropical houses in botanical gardens.
Although we are not talking about the real giant bamboo below, we will use the name giant bamboo.
What is offered in garden centers under the overgeneralized term giant bamboo usually belongs to the genus Phyllostachys. These species are also known as flat-tube bamboo because their stalks are flattened on one side. They are of greatest importance in the garden culture of all of Central Europe. The Phyllostachys species also reach considerably large, but still manageable heights, which provide effective privacy in private gardens and at the same time a characterful Asian flair. With their clear, graphic appearance, the sweet grasses fit particularly well in the front gardens of modern, geometrically straight-lined architecture.
Like most bamboo species, the giant bamboo comes from the Far East. Its distribution areas extend from Myanmar through China down to Thailand and Indonesia. Bamboo generally has a very high cultural significance there, as it has been used by people for thousands of years as a building material, as a raw material for fabrics or small tools, and also as food. The larger species in particular develop such strong stalks that they provide the necessary stability for the construction of roof trusses, floors or supporting scaffolding.
Due to the rather temperate climatic conditions of its distribution areas, the giant bamboo can easily be cultivated outdoors in our area. Because of its tall, dense growth, it is particularly suitable as a privacy screen from neighbors. Of course, it also conjures up a characterful Asian flair in the garden. Through his
Origin at a glance:
- Giant bamboo, like most bamboo species, comes from East Asia
- It is a very culture-shaping and diversely used plant there
- Easily cultivated in the local climate
- Especially suitable as a privacy screen
Growth
The giant bamboo Phyllostachys is one of the largest species in its genus. In our case it can reach a height of up to 10 meters, which is enormous for an average garden. Nevertheless, the real giant bamboo Dendrocalamus giganteus grows 4 times as tall!
The interesting thing about sweet grass is that the stalks reach their final height within one annual season and then do not change for years. Of course, this is only possible if they shoot up incredibly quickly. So you can literally watch them grow!
The stalks form nodes at even intervals, which ensure the typical segmented bamboo structure and the stability necessary for the great height. The hollow nature and a wall thickness of around one centimeter also contribute to this. The stalks reach a diameter of around 7 cm.
The giant bamboo grows in clumps and spreads underground through vigorous rhizomes - an effective and very stable rhizome barrier is therefore essential if you want to prevent uncontrolled forest formation that can no longer be stopped from spreading into your neighbor's garden.
The surface of the blades is surrounded by a smooth layer that protects the grass from weather and other environmental influences.
Growth characteristics in keywords:
- Giant bamboo grows up to 10 m high here
- Culms reach their final height within one annual season
- Typical segmentation by nodes
- Strong underground rhizome expansion – set up a rhizome barrier!
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leaves
Destalked, long leaves grow on the branched stalks
Flowers
The flowering of the giant bamboo is - similar to agave, for example - usually a unique spectacle. Because it usually only develops once in the life of a plant individual and often costs its life. However, in contrast to Dendrocalamus giganteus, this is not a must. A Phyllostachys bamboo can survive one or more flowers and produces them at shorter intervals, not just after 30 or 40 years.
Which location is suitable?
The giant bamboo has no special demands on its location. Above all, it can cope with almost the entire range of possible soil conditions. For example, it accepts a clay soil as well as a loose, lean sandy soil or a peaty humus soil. It also needs neither a particularly acidic nor a particularly chalky soil environment - it can cope with both. As far as lighting conditions are concerned, he prefers a sunny, warm place, but is also happy in partial shade.
What must of course be kept in mind when selecting the location is the expected size and willingness to spread of the plant. If necessary, talk to your neighbor about the expected shadows and pay close attention to the installation of a stable rhizome barrier. It is best if you hire a professional to do this.
Location requirements at a glance:
- Giant bamboo has hardly any soil requirements: it can cope equally well with clay, sandy or peat soil
- Ph value is also pretty irrelevant
- More sunny and warm
- Consider the expected height of growth
- Don’t forget the rhizome barrier
Watering giant bamboo
Because of its evergreen foliage, the giant bamboo is quite thirsty. Therefore, water it regularly and extensively, but always avoid waterlogging. You also have to water in winter, but of course less because of the lower evaporation. In summer, because of the higher evaporation, you should only water in the morning and evening hours.
It is also important to thoroughly submerge when planting.
Casting practice in brief:
- Giant bamboo needs a relatively large amount of water because of its evergreen foliage
- Watering all year round
- In summer generously and if possible in the morning and evening, in winter less
Fertilize giant bamboo properly
The giant bamboo does not necessarily need to be supplied with additional nutrients. As a rule, it is enough to add a good amount of mature compost or horn shavings to the soil when planting. You can also give it some fresh compost every now and then in the following years. Alternatively, you can also use special bamboo fertilizer (€8.00 on Amazon) or lawn fertilizer, which provides lots of nitrogen and potassium.
hardy
The giant bamboo is relatively tolerant of frosty temperatures. It can tolerate temperatures down to -15°C and can therefore be planted without any problems in most parts of the country. In the first few years after planting, it doesn't hurt to protect it a little from the cold. It is best to cover the planting site with a layer of leaves, mulch or straw, which must be removed again in spring. The stalks can be wrapped with raffia mats, especially when the giant bamboo is younger.read more
Propagate giant bamboo
Due to the clumpy rhizome spread, bamboo can be easily propagated by division. To do this, cut off part of the grass with a spade in spring. Another, albeit time-consuming, option is seed cultivation.
cultivation
If you want to have a giant bamboo in your garden but want to save yourself from buying container goods from the garden center, you can simply grow it yourself. This costs less money, but of course more time to get to the stately giant bamboo hedge. Seeds are available for purchase commercially. You can grow them indoors all year round and don't need to put in any special effort. What you need are just a few pots of potting soil and a bright, constantly warm place of around 25°C.
The seeds of the giant bamboo are light germinators. So just sit on the moistened soil and press it lightly. As an alternative to growing soil, coconut fiber is also suitable as a germination base. Before planting, you can increase the germination of the grain-like seeds by soaking them in water for 24 hours.
To ensure a uniformly warm, humid microclimate, cover the cultivation container with foil. Of course, if you have a mini greenhouse available, it's even better. Above all, you can then more easily provide the necessary ventilation. The first seedlings should appear after about one to three weeks.
Before you plant the giant bamboo outdoors, you should keep it indoors for a while and carefully accustom it to the harsher conditions outside. He should have “puppy protection” for at least a whole year. If you have sown it early in the year, leave it indoors the winter after next. A transition phase in the cold house is recommended. The plant is then well prepared for life in the garden.
To remember:
- Sowing is easy and can be done indoors all year round
- Place in containers with potting soil or coconut fiber in a bright, 25°C warm place
- Light germinators – so don’t cover them with soil
- Under foil or in a mini greenhouse Germination after 1-3 weeks
- Keep it in the house for at least another year
- Transition phase in the cold house, then plant outdoors
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Varieties
Phyllostachys vivax ‘Aureocaulis’
This type of flat tube bamboo has an attractive, green striped structure and reaches an impressive height of up to 8 meters.
Phyllostachys bissetii
The bissetii is the most frost-tolerant variety of flat-cane bamboo and is therefore suitable for particularly cold parts of the country. Its stalks are deep green and form a dense grove suitable for hedges.
Phyllostachys nigra
As the name suggests, the special feature of this variety is its black, violet coloring, which occurs when exposed to sunlight. When young, the stalks are still light green. Especially in contrast, the purple-black looks very decorative.
