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Collector's item

Phyllostachys vivax MacClure - Golden Chinese Timber Bamboo

Phyllostachys vivax MacClure
Golden Chinese Timber Bamboo

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Fast. Very well packaged. Some leaves a bit dry upon arrival, but it's bamboo, so it seems rather Normal to me. Also glad to see that there is a delivery verification stamp, in case of any issues it could be very useful.

Siegfried V., 15/05/2018

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This plant carries a 24 months recovery warranty

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Value-for-money
A rare giant bamboo in cultivation. Exceptionally vigorous, hardy, and majestic, with an arching habit, it can reach a height of 15 metres (49 feet). It is recognized by its almost black young shoots. Its mature culms, very wide, are of a beautiful emerald green, marked with a ring of white bloom under each node. Very dense in foliage, it allows for the quick establishment of a remarkable bamboo forest or hedge. To be planted in moist soil, in full sun, in a sheltered position from strong winds as its stems are brittle.
Height at maturity
12 m
Spread at maturity
10 m
Exposure
Sun, Partial shade
Hardiness
Hardy down to -23°C
Soil moisture
Moist soil
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Best planting time March, October
Recommended planting time March to May, September to November
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Description

Phyllostachys vivax 'MacClure' is a giant bamboo that is rarely found in cultivation where it is often confused with other clones. This one, recognizable by its almost black young shoots, appears to be the most cold-resistant. With remarkable vigour, it develops culms as wide as poles adorned with a beautiful emerald green colour highlighted by white rings, and lush, flexible, and well-furnished evergreen foliage. This trailing variety allows for the rapid establishment of a remarkable bamboo forest or hedge. This wonderful bamboo thrives in moist soil, in the sun, in a sheltered location away from strong winds because its thin-walled culms are brittle. 

 

Native to eastern China, in the Henan and Zhejiang provinces, as well as Japan, Phyllostachys vivax is a vigorous bamboo with a highly rapid growth even in cold climates. It belongs to the family of Poaceae (or grasses), it is a kind of giant grass with woody stems.

The 'MacClure' cultivar was introduced to Europe in 1981. It is endemic to Chinese provinces, specifically the south of Zhejiang, Jiangxi, Henan, Hunan, Jiangsu, Shandong, and the south of Yunnan province. Its hardiness is estimated at -18/-20°C for a short period.

This bamboo shows an initially arched and then upright habit over time, and its canes bear beautifully trailing leafy branches. The stump produces numerous shoots covered with a strongly marbled black sheath. These shoots release culms or canes with a diameter of 6 to 8cm (2 to 3in), with a relatively thin and not very resistant wall to strong winds and the weight of vegetation when laden with snow. They are capable of growing several centimetres per day to reach a height of 7, 12 or even 15m. Each culm is slightly channelled, emerald green in colour, marked by white bloom rings just below the nodes. Older culms take on a grey, rusty, or yellow-green colouration. The evergreen foliage is composed of beautiful, pendant lanceolate leaves, tapering at their tips, 16cm (6in) long and 1.5cm (1in) wide. Their colour evolves from bluish-green to bright and vibrant green, slightly glossy. In case of snowfall, remember to clear the culms by shaking them, as the weight could cause them to bend and break at ground level. 

 

A true star of Asian-inspired gardens, giant bamboo suits many styles, from contemporary to exotic, including natural gardens or water gardens. Planted en masse, it allows for the rapid creation of very exotic forests, and its graphic design brings verticality to the decor. Its fast growth makes it an excellent candidate for concealing an unsightly view, especially when planted in fertile and moist soil. It is so striking that you can plant it as a solitary clump. However, its unique style can sometimes be difficult to blend in a mass planting. For example, try combining it in an exotic setting with Gunnera manicata or Hosta 'Big Daddy', or certain palms in a more well-drained soil. Bamboos complement each other very well, so choose varieties with differently coloured culms. They are always perfect near water features as they seek coolness. A large avenue lined on both sides with 'MacClure' giant bamboos will simply become a royal avenue.

The young shoots of this bamboo are edible and highly prized by gastronomes. However, it is necessary to boil them for a long time to remove bitterness before consuming.

 

Phyllostachys vivax MacClure - Golden Chinese Timber Bamboo in pictures

Phyllostachys vivax MacClure - Golden Chinese Timber Bamboo (Foliage) Foliage

Plant habit

Height at maturity 12 m
Spread at maturity 10 m
Habit fastigiate, upright
Growth rate very fast
Suckering/invasive plant

Flowering

Flower colour insignificant

Foliage

Foliage persistence Evergreen
Foliage colour green
Foliage description Evergreen.

Botanical data

Genus

Phyllostachys

Species

vivax

Cultivar

MacClure

Family

Poaceae

Other common names

Golden Chinese Timber Bamboo

Origin

China

Product reference852471

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Planting and care

Grown in containers, bamboo can be planted at any time of the year, except during frost. Nevertheless, 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 will use your bamboo: for a mass planting, allow a gap of 3 to 4 metres (10 to 13 feet) between each plant. For a hedge, this distance is reduced to 1.6 to 2 metres (5 to 7 feet).

In general, bamboo prefers rich, deep, well-drained soil that remains moist, acidic, or neutral. They can tolerate slightly calcareous soil, depending on the variety. Phyllostachys vivax 'MacClure' appreciates the sun but tolerates partial shade.

During planting, do not hesitate to loosen the soil and moisten the root ball well by soaking it. You can add well-decomposed compost that you will scratch into the surface. Watering should be followed for at least the first year in open ground and continuously if your bamboo is grown in a pot. The establishment period may sometimes seem a little long, but don't panic!

For running bamboo, the installation of a rhizome barrier (thick and resistant polypropylene film) is essential because these varieties, which do not care about property boundaries, can quickly colonize large areas. The rhizome barrier should be buried vertically, leaving a height of 10cm (4in) exposed, which should be tilted 15° towards the plant.

As for 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. An application of nitrogen fertilizer (well-decomposed manure or liquid fertilizer) in spring and autumn can be beneficial. Water regularly during bamboo establishment, especially during abnormally dry weather. Bamboo may take some time to establish, but in the long run, they prove to be true forces of nature that will be difficult to remove.

Planting period

Best planting time March, 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 -23°C (USDA zone 6a) 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, Deep, 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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