The unexpected joy of growing Black Bamboo

I planted Black Bamboo without expecting much and it's become one of the most satisfying things in my garden. rapid establishment and fast vertical growth is something I couldn't have predicted from looking at it in a nursery. You only understand it once the plant is established and performing.

I keep it in a Japanese or contemporary minimalist garden design which is perfect for it. feeding with a high-nitrogen fertiliser in early spring was the thing I got lucky getting right early. foliage refresh as older leaves shed in late winter stopped me in my tracks the first time I saw it. die-back after mass flowering which occurs once per lifetime is a real thing — just check regularly and deal with it quickly.