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Collector's item

Chusquea culeou

Chusquea culeou
Chilean Bamboo, Inca Bamboo

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More information

A South American Bamboo, very different from the others, with a recognisable layered habit. Its long leaves give the young plant a remarkable appearance. This evergreen and non-invasive species thrives in mild climates and enjoys moist soils and humid environments. It performs well in coastal climates. Ideal for small gardens or in pots!
Height at maturity
3 m
Spread at maturity
2 m
Exposure
Sun, Partial shade
Hardiness
Hardy down to -15°C
Soil moisture
Moist soil
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Best planting time March to April
Recommended planting time March to May, August to September
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Description

The Chusquea culeou, or the Inca Bambooalso known as the Chilean Bamboo, is rare in cultivation, which will delight plant collectors. Its unique appearance, with its curiously staggered growth, sets it apart from all others. This unusual architecture is due to the arrangement of its evergreen foliage. The leaves are tightly clustered at the nodes, along the entire height of its culms. It is a plant species that prefers moist soils and humid environments, thriving particularly well in coastal climates. Its moderate growth and compact habit make it perfect for small gardens, whether planted in a the ground or in containers on a terrace or balcony.

 

The Chusquea couleou (syn. Chusquea culeou) is a plant belonging to the family Poaceae, a type of grass with woody stems that grows from a rhizomatous stump, forming dense clumps. This botanical species is native to the wet areas of temperate forests in southern Chile and southeastern Argentina. Not as hardy as Fargesia or Phyllostachys, it is still considered a bamboo suitable for temperate climates, and its base is capable of withstanding short periods of frost down to around -15°C (5 °F). It is easy to grow in any moist to wet soil (slightly acidic, neutral or slightly alkaline), although it is relatively uncommon in cultivation.

This bamboo produces solid, tightly packed culms that do not arch much. They have a diameter of 2 to 3 cm (0.8 to 1.2 in) and grow in the spring, reaching a height of 3 to 4 m (9 ft 10 in to 13 ft 1 in), depending on the cultivation method: a potted plant will grow less than one planted in the ground. When young, the culms are blackish, but they turn green, passing through various shades of yellow and reddish-brown. The plant has a very distinctive habit: upright, tiered, slightly flaring at the top, with a dense bushy appearance formed by short branches that emerge from each node very close to the culm. Its evergreen foliage becomes partially deciduous below -10°C (14 °F). The leaves are long and slender, slightly fuzzy, and have a small spine at their tips. They have a beautiful medium green colour with a satin-like finish.

 

This bamboo creates scenes of great poetry, whether planted in the ground or in containers, especially near water features that provide a humid atmosphere. It is perfect for Zen, exotic, or contemporary gardens. Avoid planting it in direct scorching sunlight, dry soil, or windy locations. Showcase it along a path or in the centre of a flower bed. It integrates easily into the garden, pairing well with trees such as caramel tree, Japanese maple in all its forms, or dwarf conifers. In a more shrubby setting, it can be accompanied by sacred bamboo, spindle tree, or Loropetalum. It can also be combined with giant perennial plants such as Hosta Empress Wu, Gunnera manicata, Aralia, or Papyrus for a striking tropical scene. With its extremely exotic appearance, Chusquea culeou is the ideal bamboo to bring a truly exotic style to your terrace or balcony!

Chusquea culeou in pictures

Chusquea culeou (Foliage) Foliage
Chusquea culeou (Plant habit) Plant habit

Plant habit

Height at maturity 3 m
Spread at maturity 2 m
Habit weeping
Growth rate normal
Suckering/invasive plant

Flowering

Flower colour insignificant

Foliage

Foliage persistence Semi-evergreen
Foliage colour medium green

Botanical data

Genus

Chusquea

Species

culeou

Family

Gramineae

Other common names

Chilean Bamboo, Inca Bamboo

Origin

South America

Product reference848891

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Planting and care

Cultivated in containers, bamboo can be planted at any time of the year, except during frost. However, the best planting period is late summer and autumn, when the soil is warm and rainfall is more frequent. The planting distance depends on how you plan to use your bamboos: for mass planting, allow a spacing of 1.8 to 2.2 metres (5 feet 11 inches to 7 feet 2 inches) between each plant. For a hedge, this distance is reduced to 1 to 1.4 metres (3 feet 4 inches to 4 feet 7 inches).

In general, bamboos prefer rich, deep, well-drained soil that remains moist, acidic or neutral. They can tolerate slightly alkaline soil depending on the variety. Chusquea couleou is a plant that prefers ordinary but moist soil and a humid atmosphere, and it is sensitive to hot exposures. Plant it in partial shade, or in full sun if its roots are in very moist soil. Its spreading habit is not very pronounced.

During planting, don't hesitate to loosen the soil and thoroughly moisten the root ball by soaking it. Add well-decomposed compost and lightly dig it into the surface. Watering should be done regularly, especially during the first year when planted in the ground, and constantly if your bamboos are grown in pots. The establishment period can sometimes seem a bit long, but don't panic!

For bamboo with spreading rhizomes, the installation of a rhizome barrier (thick and resistant polypropylene film) is essential, as these varieties do not care about property limits and can quickly take over large areas. The rhizome barrier should be buried vertically, leaving a height of 10 cm (3.9 in) above ground, and inclined at a 15 degree (59 °F) angle towards the plant.

As for maintenance, bamboo is not demanding: remember to weed around the base, at least in the beginning, until its dead leaves form a natural mulch on the ground. An application of nitrogen-rich fertiliser (well-rotted manure or liquid fertiliser) in spring and autumn can be beneficial.

Planting period

Best planting time March to April
Recommended planting time March to May, August to September

Intended location

Suitable for Meadow, Woodland edge, Pond edge
Type of use Border, Free-standing, Container, Conservatory
Hardiness Hardy down to -15°C (USDA zone 7b) Show map
Ease of cultivation Amateur
Planting density 1 per m2
Exposure Sun, Partial shade
Soil pH Any
Soil type Silty-loamy (rich and light)
Soil moisture Moist soil, Deep, rich.

Care

Pruning No pruning necessary
Soil moisture Moist soil
Disease resistance Good
Overwinter Can be left in the ground

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