Pleioblastus linearis

Bamboo Pleioblastus linearis, with its giant display and its long, grass-like leaves reminds us, more than any other, that bamboo is actually a type of grass. It is of medium size and grows in a similar way to Fargesia, with its canes tightly packed together from a compact stump. Like them, it has dense and evergreen foliage arranged in beautiful, slightly trailing plumes. Infinitely graceful, extremely decorative, and cold-resistant, this lesser-known bamboo deserves to be planted more and celebrated in our gardens!

Pleioblastus linearis is a bamboo that is perfectly adapted to our temperate climates. It originates from the south of Japan, specifically the Ryukyu Islands, and belongs to the large grass family Poaceae.  This bamboo has very closely spaced culms (or canes),  with a diameter of 2 to 3 cm (1in), which typically reach a height of 3 to 6 m (10 to 20ft).  It spreads fairly slowly in width through its rhizomes. These rootstocks are characterised by short necks and develop a large number of tightly packed canes. However, underground, they sometimes spread over long distances. Regular pruning allows it to take on the appearance of a beautiful umbrella-shaped tree, reminiscent of a vine-plant but larger. Eventually, this bamboo, through its foliage and canes, forms a dense, almost impenetrable, mass, . Its evergreen foliage is flexible, very dense, and particularly delicate. It consists of very narrow leaves, measuring 10 to 25 cm (4 to 10in) in length and 8 mm (1in) to 1 cm (1in) in width, which are a beautiful bright green colour.

Hardy and vigorous, this bamboo thrives in full sun or partial shade, in deep and moist soil, preferably with little limestone. This little-known and little-planted Pleioblastus is one of the most graceful bamboo species, especially when the wind plays with its foliage as it does with that of tall grasses. Although it is generally not invasive, we still recommend containing its growth by using a bamboo root barrier or, alternatively, allowing it to spread in a large mass at the edge of your garden. Its habit works wonders in a Japanese garden, whether it is zen-inspired, wild, exotic, or contemporary. It can create splendid, highly opaque screens as well as impenetrable hedges. It can also be grown in containers, as long as it is repotted every year and the older canes are regularly removed to make room for new shoots.