Naked Sheath Bamboo, Stone Bamboo
 

Mature Size, Growth, Longevity

Gets 30' tall in Zone 7, 12-18' tall in Zone 6, & only 10' tall in Zone 5, w/ 1/2" diameter culms, where tops may be killed back by winter. 1-2" culm diameter in Zones 6-7 . Survival has occurred in Zone 4, where it gets 8' tall. Habit is erect/upright. Fast growing. A running bamboo. Rapid, aggressive spread can be controlled by installing a rhizome barrier 3' deep & totally encircling the planting, mowing or breaking off stray new culms as they reach 6" tall, or simply planting in a large container.

Native Range

Phyllostachys species are native to China, Burma and India. The naked sheath bamboo comes from Zhejiang in eastern China. Introduced to the U.S. in 1907.

Flower and Fruit Details

Usually does not flower. Most Phyllostachys only flower once every 50 years.

Leaf and Bark Features

Evergreen: Lush foliage. Leaves are darker green and smaller than most other bamboos, but profuse. Bamboos don't have bark or trunks, but culms, which are hollow, jointed stems (canes). New culms of naked sheath bamboo have dark purple/brown/olive-green to black tones, loosely covered with white powder. The green culms have a white ring at each node.

Culture and Care

Full sun to part shade. Thick cane walls provide good wind-resistance strength. Prefers moist, acid, organic, well-drained soil, but adapts well to various soil types. Mulching is beneficial. Established plants are drought-tolerant. Tops hardy to -10 degrees F. Zone 6-9. Roots hardy to -20 or even sometimes surviving to -30 degrees F, making it the most cold-hardy of the Phyllostachys bamboos. Aphids and spider mites are possible problems, but usually not serious.

Strengths, Weaknesses, Other Facts

High branch strength. The new shoots are edible. 4-season interest: Spring, summer, fall & winter. Thick culm wood is good quality and is often used for legs of furniture.

Suggested Uses

An excellent small-leaved ornamental, suitable for hedges and medium to tall screens. Also does well, but will be shorter, in a container. Could be a specimen plant.

Taxa and Plants of this Species at BCA