Good plant, mediocre results — what went wrong with my Black Bamboo

Black Bamboo is clearly a great plant — I can see that from other people's results. Mine has been decent but not spectacular, and I think I know why.

I underestimated the importance of feeding with a high-nitrogen fertiliser in early spring in the early stages and paid for it. running bamboo spreading beyond its intended boundary also knocked the plant back at a critical point. It lives in a poolside or water feature surrounding planting which is probably not quite right but it's the best I can do in my space. rapid establishment and fast vertical growth is visible but muted. new shoot emergence in spring growing at remarkable speed gave me hope — there are glimpses of what it could be. Three stars for now with potential for four.