Phyllostachys nigra - Black Bamboo

Who doesn't love black bamboo? Probably the most popular ornamental bamboo in the world today. Discovered naturally occurring in swampy mooreland it is now very rare in the wild. Phyllostachys nigra was first introduced to western culture in 1823. Black bamboo is not the true type form of the species. This is attributed to the all green timber bamboo Phyllostachys nigra f. Henon. New spring culms come up green and slowly turn to ebony black within two to four seasons depending on the cultivar. As a new planting black bamboo tends to lean over from the weight of it's own foliage but in a few seasons as it matures the new culms come up very erect and strong like timber bamboo Henon.

Excellent as a dramatic feature plant and a stunning contrast to other multi-colored bamboos situated nearby. It is cold hardy to -5°F and drought tolerant like Henon. Phyllostachys nigra is known to achieve 35 feet tall in some Pacific Northwest locations. For us this bamboo has been a slow spreader but we also don't encourage it very much. Cultivar 'Daikokuchiku' otherwise known as Giant Black or Folsom Black is taller and turns a more dense black sooner than other cultivars. It's a very special and rare black bamboo worth getting a division if you can find it. (VERY LIMITED AVAILABILITY!)