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Collector's item

Phyllostachys nigra Megurochiku - Black Bamboo

Phyllostachys nigra Megurochiku
Giant Bamboo

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Healthy and lush plants, all the stems are alive.

Carole, 30/09/2023

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This plant carries a 24 months recovery warranty

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A rare bamboo of Japanese origin that will delight fans of originality. It forms long green canes, furrowed with black, a unique and well-contrasted combination. This medium-sized Phyllostachys can, depending on the conditions, become very tall with age. Its growth is not very fast, but if it is not contained by a rhizome barrier, it will spread as it is spreading. With a very erect habit, it is perfect for creating a vegetal curtain with its fine foliage of beautiful dark green. Hardy, it grows in the sun or partial shade, in cool, well-drained, neutral to acidic soil.
Height at maturity
10 m
Spread at maturity
3 m
Exposure
Sun, Partial shade
Hardiness
Hardy down to -20°C
Soil moisture
Moist soil
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Best planting time March to April, September to October
Recommended planting time March to May, September to November
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Description

Phyllostachys nigra 'Megurochiku' is a rare collector's bamboo, originally from a Japanese island. It stands out with its green culms striped with black, a particularly unique colour combination in this genus. Usually of medium size, it can however exceed 10m (33ft) in height when the growing conditions are favourable. Moderately running, it has a distinctly upright habit, forming beautiful clumps or large hedges, dense with its abundant dark green foliage. Very hardy, it grows in full sun or partial shade, in neutral to acidic soil, moist but with good drainage. An unusual variety that deserves attention!

This bamboo belongs to the Poaceae family, or grasses. While some species can reach tens of metres in height and form culms as hard as wood, they are not trees, but rather grasses. There are over a thousand species, distributed on all continents except Antarctica. Phyllostachys nigra, or black bamboo, comes from China like many other species in this genus. It is very aesthetically pleasing with its black culms and is widely used in ornamental gardens.

'Megurochiku' is a Japanese variety, originating from a small island of less than 600 km², Awaji-shima, where it is quite rare. It was introduced to the United States and southern France around 1980, but remains relatively uncommon in cultivation. Quite different from the botanical species, this bamboo forms green culms that, after 1 or 2 years, become adorned with a black stripe between the nodes. This is the internodal groove (also called sulcus), a slightly concave area that extends from one node to another, which takes on this dark colour, creating a beautiful contrast. As it ages, the culms turn from green to a light brown, more or less yellow. The foliage of this variety is very decorative, the elongated leaves, 7 to 10cm (3 to 4in) long and 1.2cm (1in) wide, are thin and a beautiful dark green colour. Very numerous, they form a dense vegetation well suited for hedge formation. This Phyllostachys has a distinctly upright habit and usually measures between 5 and 8m (16 and 26ft) in height, but under the right growing conditions, it can exceed 10m. However, you will need to be patient as its growth rate is moderate. It spreads each year a little more through its running rhizomes and, unless you have a very large plot of land, it will need to be contained with a rhizome barrier installed at planting. However, leave at least 4 to 6m² available for it to establish well. Year after year, you will see it progress in height and width, and after 4 to 5 years, it will form a superb clump.


Fairly easy to grow, it has the same needs as most other Phyllostachys: neutral to acidic soil, remaining moist, with good drainage to avoid excess water. It thrives in full sun and partial shade and is cold-resistant, tolerating temperatures as low as -20°C. Cool locations are even known to enhance the coloration of the culms.

Phyllostachys 'Megurochiku' is a gem for collectors and enthusiasts of rare bamboos. While its silhouette is classic, its green and black culms are unusual and highly decorative. They will create a stunning contrast with yellow culms like those of the Golden Bamboo (Phyllostachys aurea) or those of the Phyllostachys aureosulcata 'Spectabilis', yellow with green stripes. You can also plant it alongside other plants that have the same cultural requirements, such as Sassafras albidum. This large shrub or small tree has rapid growth, and its curious entire or trilobed foliage takes on sumptuous autumnal colours. It also appreciates cool, non-calcareous soils, in sunny or partial shade exposures.

Plant habit

Height at maturity 10 m
Spread at maturity 3 m
Habit fastigiate, upright
Growth rate normal
Suckering/invasive plant

Flowering

Flower colour insignificant

Foliage

Foliage persistence Evergreen
Foliage colour green
Foliage description Evergreen.

Botanical data

Genus

Phyllostachys

Species

nigra

Cultivar

Megurochiku

Family

Poaceae

Other common names

Giant Bamboo

Origin

East Asia

Product reference183921

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Planting and care

Grown in containers, bamboos can be planted at any time of 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 intend to use your bamboos: for a mass planting, allow a spacing of 3 to 4 metres (10 to 13 feet) between each plant. For a hedge, this distance can be reduced to 1.6 to 2 metres (5 to 7 feet).

This Phyllostachys prefers rich, deep, well-drained soil that remains moist, either acidic or neutral. It prefers to grow in full sun, but can also tolerate partial shade, such as at the edge of large trees.

During planting, loosen the soil and soak the root ball in water for 20 minutes. You can also add well-decomposed compost and rake it into the surface. Watering should be continued for at least the first year when planted in open ground. The establishment period may sometimes seem a bit long, but don't panic, this bamboo has a moderate growth rate.

For running bamboo like this one, the installation of a rhizome barrier (thick and resistant polypropylene film) is essential, as these varieties have no regard for property limits and can quickly colonize large areas. The rhizome barrier should be vertically buried, leaving a height of 10cm (4in) exposed and inclined at a 15° angle towards the plant. This will help limit its expansion to an area of 4 to 6 m². Without a barrier, it will spread much further over time.

In terms of maintenance, bamboo is not demanding: remember to weed around the base, at least in the beginning, until the dead leaves on the ground form a natural mulch. A nitrogen-rich fertilizer (well-decomposed manure or liquid fertilizer) in spring and autumn will be beneficial.

Planting period

Best planting time March to April, September to October
Recommended planting time March to May, September to November

Intended location

Suitable for Meadow
Type of use Back of border, Free-standing, Hedge
Hardiness Hardy down to -20°C (USDA zone 6b) Show map
Ease of cultivation Amateur
Planting density 1 per m2
Exposure Sun, Partial shade
Soil pH Acidic, Neutral
Soil type Clayey (heavy), Silty-loamy (rich and light)
Soil moisture Moist soil, Rich

Care

Pruning instructions It is often interesting to thin out giant bamboos to enhance their graphic aspect: this maintenance takes place in winter.
Pruning Pruning recommended once a year
Pruning time January, December
Soil moisture Moist soil
Disease resistance Very good
Overwinter Can be left in the ground
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