Kuma-Zasa, Kuma bamboo grass
Sasa veitchii

Family: Poaceae

What it is like

Sasa veitchii is an evergreen Bamboo growing to 1.5 m (5ft) by 3 m (9ft). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8 and is not frost tender. 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 semi-shade (light woodland). It prefers moist soil.

Height (m): 1.5

Where it is found

Woodlands and damp hollows, C. and S. Japan.

E. Asia - Japan.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 1

Young shoots - cooked.

Stem: this often intergrades into leaves.

Medicine

Rating: 0

Other

Rating: 3

A good medium high ground cover plant, it is a very good weed suppresser. Plants can be used as a low loose hedge.

Hedge: Plants that can be grown as hedges.

Ground cover: Ground Cover

Hedge: Hedge

How it is grown

Requires a good humus rich loam with ample moisture in the growing season. Prefers partial shade, growing well in thin woodland. A very hardy plant, tolerating temperatures down to about -22°c. The leaf margins are damaged by even light frosts, this gives a distinctive white margin to the leaves but does not otherwise damage the plant. 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. The rhizome is gently running. The plant is very invasive but fairly easy to control.

Propagating it: Seed - if possible, surface sow the seed as soon as it is ripe in a greenhouse at about 20°c. Stored seed is best 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 until large enough to plant out, which could be a few years. Plants only flower at intervals of several years and so seed is rarely available. Division in late spring as new growth commences. Take large divisions, trying to cause as little root disturbance to the main clump 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. Divisions of less than 5 - 6 culms rarely succeed.

Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; Ground Cover; Hedge;

Habit: Bamboo

Hardiness: 7-10

Growth:

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

Shade: Semi-shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

S. albomarginata. Bambusa veitchii.