Black bamboo - Phyllostachys nigra

Phyllostachys nigra, also known as black bamboo, is the only species in the genus that produces ebony black culms, which are magnificent and remarkable! Suckering and relatively slow-growing, this bamboo can reach a height of 6 m (19.7 ft) to create a beautiful evergreen backdrop in a flower bed, a lovely clump as a standalone plant, or a very graphic composition in a large container on the terrace.

Originating from central China, Phyllostachys nigra is a hardy bamboo with arborescent growth belonging to the Poaceae family. It has a columnar and dense habit, which is very elegant. It can reach a height of 6 m (19.7 ft) when fully grown, sometimes even 8 m (26.2 ft) under favourable growing conditions, although its growth is still relatively slow. Its evergreen leaves are lanceolate and tapering at the ends, with a medium green colour. The culms or canes of black bamboo are green in the first year and gradually turn black over the next two years. Their diameter reaches 2 cm to 4 cm (0.8 in to 1.6 in). Groves and planting schemes formed of culms of different ages will present a varied but well-coordinated look. Black bamboo has the disadvantage of being very invasive and can cover an area of 20 square metres in 10 years. If you don't have enough space, it is advisable to install a rhizome barrier to define the final space that this bamboo will occupy from the time of planting.

Black bamboo prefers partial shade, although it can tolerate sunlight. However, avoid excessively drying exposures as it is sensitive to intense sunlight and drought. Plant this bamboo in a rich, cool, rather heavy soil that retains water well. In pots, monitor watering, especially when the foliage is very dense. This bamboo tolerates pruning well. Bamboos grown as hedges can be pruned in summer, usually in August-September. Slugs can devour young shoots. 

Phyllostachys nigra is a particularly attractive bamboo that suits places where it can spread out. Plant in a hedge, as a group, or even in a large container as it tolerates pruning very well. This bamboo will provide a beautiful display at the edge of a water feature, alongside a low-maintained white willow,  a Gunnera manicata, or by showcasing the fine and light green foliage of a perennial sunflower. The cut stalks make sturdy and elegant stakes. On the terrace, it can be paired with sacred bamboo and banana plants to create an exotic ambiance.