Phyllostachys bambusoides ‘Holochrysa’

Description

Phyllostachys bambusoides ‘Holochrysa’ is another fabulously colourful large bamboo producing bright golden almost orange canes which can get to an impressive to 3-5cm in diameter. The fresh looking leaves are a deep green occasionally striped in creamy yellow. Originally from China and not widely grown or available we offer plants propagated here at our nursery and are always impressed by the colour and vigour of this bamboo. Phyllostachys bambusoides ‘Holochrysa’ is a large bamboo reaching 5-8 metres high, with a broad arching habit it is best suited as a graceful specimen planted in semi-shade to full sun where it’s colourful canes (culms as we call them) almost glow in the light. To me this Phyllostachys is so outstanding in colour on a grey day it stands out so much it looks just like it has a spot light shining on it. Being a large bamboo Phyllostachys bambusoides ‘Holochrysa’ wants to form a large clump and will spread unless the rhizomes are contained in some way. Unless you have plenty of space I recommend using a root barrier to contain and keep this bamboo where you want it, not where the bamboo fancies going! Having said this in my garden I don’t’ use root barrier on my big specimen bamboo and am happy to contain them by planting then in a lawn situation and mowing down anr errant shoots. It’s also worth mentioning that with all the bigger Pyllostachys bamboo any unwanted shoots popping up can be cut when young and cooked as you would a bamboo shoot and added to your stir fry.  So once you have chosen a suitable location I recommend good soil preparation, bamboo are shallow rooted and will really enjoy the addition of well rotted farmyard manure mixed with your soil when planting. Water the bamboo thoroughly before and after planting and make sure it doesn’t dry out until established. By that I mean keep it moist but not flooded, bamboo don’t like to be drowned either. Once established it shouldn’t need additional watering but will benefit from an annual mulch in compost and the occasional feed in spring and summer.