Phyllostachys edulis - Moso Bamboo

Phyllostachys edulis is a giant bamboo among the most elegant. While its culms can reach a height of 20m (66ft), its foliage is made up of very small leaves, giving it an incomparable air of lightness. Very graphic, it moves with the slightest breath of air, bringing dynamism to the garden. It forms canes of a very decorative bluish-green and while its growth is fast, it takes a long time to establish itself properly. Requiring a lot of heat and sun, its cultivation is more suitable in the south, even though it is known for its good hardiness. However, it is reputed to be difficult to grow, as it likes the dry winters of the Mediterranean, but needs water in the summer.

This bamboo belongs to the family of Poaceae, or grasses. While some species can reach tens of meters in height and form culms as hard as wood, they are not trees, but rather grasses. There are more than a thousand species, distributed on all continents, except Antarctica.

Phyllostachys edulis is native to the Qinling Mountains in central China, where it grows up to 1600m (5249ft) altitude, resistant to cold due to the good soil drainage that prevents excess winter water (it is always found on mountain slopes in this region). Its natural range also extends to more southern regions, characterized by summer monsoon rains and cool, dry winters. It is the most common bamboo in China, making up two-thirds of the bamboo forests popularized by many films in recent years. It can reach a height of 27m (89ft), with canes of 25cm (10in) in diameter and internodes spaced 40cm (16in) apart, giving it a very aesthetic appearance. Used to make bamboo paper for hundreds of years, it also has economic importance as a food, with its young shoots being consumed (edulis = edible in Latin). Its Chinese vernacular name Mao Zhu (Moso in Japanese) means "hairy bamboo" in reference to its young culms covered with abundant down (hence also one of its synonyms, Phyllostachys pubescens...).

From an ornamental point of view, this bamboo is very interesting due to the contrast between its adult dimensions and the delicacy of its foliage. The leaves, a deep green, are indeed very small, measuring only about 6cm (2in) long and 1.5cm (1in) wide. Present in large quantities, they form a cloud of vegetation around the endless culms, capturing the slightest breeze to undulate and rustle in the wind. The culms are also elegant, with their finesse and elegance, dressed in a beautiful slightly bluish-green. In good growing conditions, it can reach a height of 15 to 20m (49 to 66ft) in the south of our country, with cane diameters of 10 to 20cm (4 to 8in).
In the north, it will never reach large dimensions due to lack of sufficient heat and sunlight, and will be disappointing for those hoping for a giant, not exceeding a few metres in height. However, its cultivation is not easy even in the south. Hardy down to -17°C (1.4°F), or even -20°C (1°F) once well established, cold will certainly not be a limiting factor. However, it is worth noting that it is susceptible to late frost, due to the early emergence of shoots (young shoots), as early as March-April. It also does not like cold winds. It appreciates dry winters, and in case of humidity, it needs extremely well-drained soil, as excess water would be fatal to it (also in summer). The problem rather comes from the summer period, because it needs water to accompany its growth.
In summary, it requires a non-calcareous soil, neutral to acidic pH, deep and fertile, well-drained, but sufficiently moist in summer. Lots of sun in summer, little rain in winter, and protection from the wind. Needless to say, its cultivation is intended for true enthusiasts of the genus, with a large plot of land, because obviously, being a Phyllostachys, it spreads. Fast-growing, it still takes several years to establish itself properly and show its best... but then, what a spectacle!

This giant bamboo allows for the creation of large-scale exotic scenes due to its impressive dimensions. Hardy in most regions, it will only reach its full size in the south, where it will benefit from the heat and sun. It will work wonders near a body of water in which its elegant silhouette will be reflected... provided that the soil is not waterlogged. It will mainly be used as a standalone plant, forming a clump surrounded by a rhizome barrier to (try to) limit its spread. Difficult to associate with other plants that it might suffocate, one solution is to create a small bamboo grove by planting other species alongside it, such as the Phyllostachys viridis 'Sulphurea'. This cousin forms superb culms that turn sulfur yellow over time, providing a contrast to the bluish-green of P. edulis. Phyllostachys vivax 'Huangwenzhu' is also decorative with its canes of beautiful green adorned with yellow stripes.