Lewis Bamboo
Bissetii
- Most tolerant of adverse growing conditions, such as wind, cold, and drought.
- Aggressive grower that provides a fast privacy screen.
- Obtains a darker green cane and foliage than most bamboo species.
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Characteristics of Phyllostachys Bissetii
Introducing the Phyllostachys Bissetii, a resilient and captivating bamboo species that hails from the verdant lands of Sichuan, China. Since its debut in the United States in 1941, this remarkable plant has garnered a loyal following among thousands of gardening enthusiasts across the northern climate zones, who treasure it as a stunning and effective privacy screen.
Phyllostachys Bissetii is not only a vigorous runner but also one of the most cold-hardy bamboo species thriving in North America. Able to withstand temperatures as low as -15 degrees Fahrenheit, this tenacious plant laughs in the face of winter's chill. When mulched with care, its root system can endure even colder conditions, down to a staggering -25 degrees Fahrenheit. Its exceptional hardiness allows it to flourish in the colder regions of the country, including climate zones 4 and 5. As the seasons shift and spring emerges, the Bissetii is often among the first plants to awaken, sprouting elegant new canes long before others show signs of life.
The allure of the Phyllostachys Bissetii extends beyond its hardiness. The canes within the grove exhibit a sophisticated dark gray-green hue, while those exposed to more direct sunlight often transform into a delicate golden shade. Paired with its lush, dark green foliage, the Bissetii creates an enchanting display that lends itself perfectly to privacy screens and windbreaks.
Experience the wonder of Phyllostachys Bissetii for yourself and discover how this exceptional bamboo variety can transform your garden into a private haven, while adding a touch of elegance and intrigue to your landscape.
How Bamboo Grows
Bamboo grows a little different than most plants. The bamboo that you get initially never grows vertically again. It has babies that are taller, that has babies that are taller. Every generation should be taller that the previous year's shoots. The intriguing aspect is that each year’s growth emerges and grows to it complete height in 60-90 days. They spread as they produce larger growth, filling in and providing a screen.
This link will help you learn how bamboo grows. It will give you an idea of what kind of growth to expect from your planting. It is a lot of information, but well worth your time. How Bamboo Grows
Planting Instructions
Planting bamboo is also easy. You want to dig a hole about twice the size of the root ball. When you plant the bamboo amend your soil with composted manure and a good top soil. Bamboo can be planted at ground level or slightly deeper. It is not a picky about it conditions but this will help get it off to a good start.
More details can be found on our Planting Instruction Page
Spacing between plants
One division of bamboo will start a grove or screen over time. However, if you want a privacy screen fast, we recommend planting bamboo 3 to 5 feet apart. This will hopefully allow you to have a good screen in three years. There are a lot of factors such as water, sunlight, and climate zones that speeds up or slows down the process. Three years is about the average on this spacing, closer planting will allow you to screen or develop your grove faster. You cannot over plant bamboo.
Maintenance
Fertilizing
Bamboo can benefit from a fertilization program. You can safely fertilize your bamboo once it has been in the ground for one month. A time release fertilizer will work great. Time release fertilizers allow for proper absorption in case your soil is out of PH balance. We offer some fertilizer to help with growth. We fertilize twice a year. Once in the early spring to encourage new growth and then again during the middle of the grow season to replace any nutrients that are being depleted. Click here to see our recommended fertilizer: Our Fertilizers
Control
Over the years a lot of myths have been told about bamboo, while it can spread under good conditions, it is not as invasive as many people would have you believe. In colder climates an aggressive runner here in the south will hardy spread at all in comparison. We have been growing bamboo since 1985 and had experience with it long before that. The bamboo's underground root system (rhizome) will spread beyond the initial planting over the years, so in the next two or three years you will need to decide on some method of containment on the sides you do not want the rhizomes to run over into.
We have constructed a page discussing multiple methods of controlling bamboo. It goes over root pruning, mowing new shoots, and in ground barriers: Controlling Bamboo
All this said and it may discourage you, but as with any plant there will be maintenance. Bamboo is very beautiful and is great in a Japanese style garden, but it will need maintenance down the road. At first it may seem to be doing nothing, but after 3 to 5 years you will have a lot of beautiful culms (canes) and love the foliage. All our 150 plus species simply contained by mowing and weed eating the new Spring and Summer shoots. Hopes this helps and don't be afraid of the bamboo.