Phyllostachys parviflora - Giant Bamboo

Phyllostachys parviflora, whose Chinese name is "Anji golden bamboo," is a very hardy giant bamboo, well adapted to wet soils and cold climates. It is distinguished by its small, irregularly arranged leaves, which give it a characteristic, light, airy, and charming appearance. It is a vigorous bamboo with trailing rhizomes, with fairly rapid but less explosive growth than its cousin Phyllostachys vivax. Its young shoots are yellow-striped, and its young canes, thick and sturdy, adorned with rings covered in clear bloom, are light green with purple stripes. This infinitely graceful bamboo works wonders near water or in a large isolated clump in a big garden.

Native to China, in the mild climate provinces of Zhejiang, not far from Hangzhou, and the Anji region, Phyllostachys parviflora is a vigorous bamboo that seems very resistant to cold. It has trailing roots, and its rhizomes have air channels that allow it to tolerate very wet, marshy, or occasionally flooded soils. It belongs to the family of poaceae (or grasses), it is a kind of giant grass with woody stems.

It has an erect habit and bears short, leafy, rather upright branches. The rootstock produces young shoots in June-July, more or less numerous depending on the year. They are oblique, javelin-shaped, covered with a purple sheath on which yellow stripes quickly appear. These shoots release canes or culms 6 to 7cm (2 to 3in) in diameter with a fairly thick wall, resistant to strong winds. They can grow several centimetres per day and reach a height of 7 to 8m (23 to 26ft). Each cane is light green, the internodes are crossed by fine purple stripes, and the nodes are covered with a nearly white bloom. As they age, the canes turn grey. The evergreen foliage consists of small narrow leaves measuring 4 to 6cm (2in) long and 8mm (1/2in) to 1.2cm (1in) wide. They are bright light green in colour. Perfectly hardy, this bamboo can withstand temperatures as low as -20°C. However, in case of snowfall, remember to shake the canes to remove the snow. This species particularly dislikes limestone soils and is quite difficult to propagate by dividing the rootstock.

As the undisputed star of Asian-inspired gardens, giant bamboo suits many styles, from contemporary to exotic, natural gardens or water gardens. Planted in mass, it quickly creates very exotic forests, and its graphic design brings verticality to the decor. Its fast growth makes it an excellent candidate to mask an unsightly view, especially if it is planted in fertile and moist soil. Its presence is such that you can plant it as a standalone clump. However, in a flower bed, its unique style can be difficult to match. Try, for example, to associate it in an exotic setting with other giants such as Gunnera manicata or Hosta 'Big Daddy', a large Rhododendron if your soil and climate allow it. Bamboos complement each other very well, so choose varieties with differently coloured culms. They are always perfect near water, as they seek freshness. A large avenue bordered on both sides by Phyllostachys parviflora will become a royal avenue.

The young shoots of this bamboo, harvested when very young, are edible and highly prized by gourmets.