Hinds' cane-bamboo
Pleioblastus hindsii

Family: Poaceae or Gramineae

What it is like

Pleioblastus hindsii is an evergreen Bamboo growing to 3.5 m (11ft) by 1 m (3ft 3in) at a medium rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 7. It is in leaf all year. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Wind. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) or semi-shade (light woodland). It prefers moist soil.

Height (m): 3.5

Where it is found

Mountains or on hills near sea shores.

E. Asia - China.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 3

Young shoots - cooked. A good flavour. The stems are about 1cm in diameter.

Stem: this often intergrades into leaves.

Medicine

Rating: 0

Other

Rating: 3

Canes can be used as plant supports and also make good flutes. The plant can be used as a screen or a hedge.

Hedge: Plants that can be grown as hedges.

Musical: Specific mention of plants used as musical instruments. Does not include the various woods that can be used for making musical instruments.

Plant support: Usually bamboos, used as canes in the garden for holding up plants.

Hedge: Hedge

How it is grown

Succeeds in most soils but prefers a good loamy soil in a sheltered position in semi-shade. Requires deep shade and a position sheltered from north and east winds. Dislikes drought. This species is notably resistant to honey fungus. Plants only flower at intervals of many years. When they do come into flower most of the plants energies are directed into producing seed and consequently the plant is severely weakened. They sometimes die after flowering, but if left alone they will usually recover though they will look very poorly for a few years. If fed with artificial NPK fertilizers at this time the plants are more likely to die. Closely related to P. gramineus. This species is cultivated for its edible shoots in China. The rootstock is running and invasive. New shoots are produced from April.

Propagating it: Seed - if possible, surface sow the seed as soon as it is ripe in a greenhouse at about 20°c. Stored seed should be sown as soon as it is received. Do not allow the compost to dry out. Germination usually takes place fairly quickly so long as the seed is of good quality, though it can take 3 - 6 months. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in a lightly shaded place in the greenhouse or cold frame until they are large enough to plant out, which could be a number of years. The plants only flower at intervals of several years and so seed is rarely available. Division as the plant comes into growth in spring. Take divisions with at least three canes in the clump, trying to cause as little root disturbance to the main plant as possible. Grow them on in light shade in a greenhouse in pots of a high fertility sandy medium. Mist the foliage regularly until plants are established. Plant them out into their permanent positions when a good root system has developed, which can take a year or more.

Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; not Deep Shade; Hedge;

Habit: Bamboo

Hardiness: 6-9

Growth: Medium

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: Full shade, semi-shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Arundinaria hindsii. Bambusa erecta. Thamnocalamus hindsii.