Phyllostachys viridiglaucescens - Green-glaucous Bamboo

Phyllostachys viridiglaucescens is a particularly lush giant bamboo that is recognized by its very straight, sturdy culms that transition from a very light green to a shiny dark green and then to yellow at maturity, as well as its evergreen foliage with a glaucous underside. Highly resistant to cold, unaffected by wind, adaptable to various growing conditions, this variety will only reach its full potential in fertile and moist soil. Its highly spreading habit and vigour allow for a fantastic mass effect in hedges or bamboo forests. Leave it enough space to express its full splendour!

Originating from western China, Phyllostachys viridiglaucescens (synonyms Phyllostachys Mazelli, Phyllostachys quilioi, Phyllostachys reticulata) belongs to the family of Poaceae. It is a kind of giant grass with woody stems and a highly spreading rhizomatous rootstock. This giant bamboo gets its species name, glaucescens, from the colour of its foliage: its leaves are lustrous green on the upper side, but glaucous green on the underside. It has an upright habit, particularly dense in stems and foliage. Capable of withstanding temperatures as low as -22°C, it prefers sunny locations and fertile, well-drained soil. Its highly spreading superficial rhizomes are capable of colonizing large areas over time. The plant produces young shoots or culms from March onwards. They then quickly shoot up towards the sky, reaching an average height of up to 8.50m (28ft), depending on growing conditions (7 to 12m (23 to 39ft)). These very straight and highly resistant culms can reach 7cm (3in) in diameter, even in our cool climates. Each culm evolves from tender green to shiny dark green covered in a bluish bloom, before turning yellowish-green. The evergreen to semi-evergreen leaves, depending on the severity of the winter, are dark green and narrow, lanceolate, tapering at the tip and measuring 12 to 15cm (5 to 6in) in length. Bamboo only flowers once in its lifetime, very late, and then it dies. The mechanism that induces simultaneous flowering of all individuals in a given region, or even on a whole continent, is still poorly understood.

Phyllostachys viridiglauscescens is not a demanding bamboo, but its growth will be severely restricted in poor, dry soil. It is often planted as a solitary clump, in a grove or as an infromal hedge where it quickly forms excellent windbreaks or privacy screens. In a contemporary-style garden, it pairs well with certain palm trees and large ornamental grasses such as Pennisetums, Deschampsias, or Miscanthus. It can be associated with other giant bamboos, playing with the colours of the culms. Its young shoots are edible and delicious, and its culms, whose strength rivals that of steel, are often used as stakes or for the construction of pergolas and fences. Its extensive growth is not well-suited for container cultivation.

Tip: Limit the spread of the highly spreading rhizomes of this bamboo by installing "anti-rhizome barriers," which are resin plates planted vertically in the ground, from the time of planting.

Phyllostachys viridiglaucescens is highly appreciated in China for its beauty, but also for the qualities of its wood used in construction, the production of parquet flooring and laminated furniture, as well as for papermaking.