Pleioblastus chino Elegantissimus - Dwarf Bamboo

Pleioblastus chino Elegantissimus is a beautiful variegated bamboo that hides its graceful appearance of a silvery fluffy mass behind its weakly trailing temperament. Its short branches bear clusters of finely striped evergreen leaves, giving the plant a beautiful density and undeniable elegance throughout the year. Whether in the ground or in pots, give it a sunny exposure and always keep the soil moist and preferably non-calcareous. Perfectly tolerant of pruning, this bamboo will also appeal to topiary enthusiasts.

Pleioblastus chino Elegantissimus is a small, very bushy bamboo with a relaxed, rounded and slightly spreading habit, and a gracefully trailing silhouette. Well adapted to harsh winters, it comes from a botanical species native to northern Japan and belongs to the  grass family Poaceae. This bamboo has thin culms (or canes), green tinged with purple, with a diameter of 2 to 5 mm (1in). They reach an average height of 1.75 m (6ft) ,maximum 2.50 m (8ft), from the ground.  Of moderate height, it slowly spreads with its slightly creeping rhizomes to over about 2 m (7ft) on the ground. The canes branch into thin, short and trailing branches, adorned with numerous small leaves. Its evergreen and dense foliage is composed of small, slender leaves. They are light green and striped with cream-white along their entire length. Pleioblastus chino Elegantissimus bamboo is particularly well-suited to pruning.

Perfectly hardy and vigorous, this bamboo thrives in sunny, deep and moist soil. It works well in borders, as a solitary clump, in a small hedge or even in a pot on a patio or balcony. Despite its weakly trailing nature, it can be useful to use a bamboo root barriers to contain its growth. With a true elegance, it is perfectly suited for zen, wild, exotic or contemporary gardens. It can be paired with other non-aggressive bamboos such as Fargesia (Fargesia denudata, Fargesia rufa, Fargesia murielae), Japanese maples in partial shade, dwarf conifers with blue foliage (Picea pungens Jeddeloh), or even an oakleaf hydrangea or Hydrangea Sister Thérèse for example. It can also create small, bright hedges along a pathway in a large garden or to define a property. This bamboo responds well to pruning, it will adapt to the whims of every gardener. It is well-suited to container gardening, provided that the oldest canes are regularly removed to make room for new shoots.