Pleioblastus viridistriatus Vagans - Dwarf Bamboo

Pleioblastus viridistriatus 'Vagans' is a dwarf bamboo, invasive and tough but infinitely graceful and perfectly adapted to harsh climates and difficult situations. Completely evergreen and bushy, it is adorned with tender and bright green foliage which in winter, it is highlighted by light borders that give it a variegated and decorative appearance. It can also tolerate relative drought and thrives in any well-drained soil without excess limestone.  Its invasive rhizomes are extremely effective in stabilising the soil of rockeries and slopes, even on a steep incline. Invite it into a natural garden!

Pleioblastus viridistriatus Vagans (Synonyms Arundaria viridistriata, Arundinaria vagans, Sasa ramosa, Pleioblastus auricomus 'Vagans', Pleioblastus vagans, Sasinaria ramos) differs from Pleioblastus viridistriatus by its much lighter and more flexible foliage. It is a very dense, compact dwarf bamboo, upward branching and a regular silhouette. Perfectly adapted to harsh winters, it originates from northern Japan and belongs to the grass family Poaceae. This bamboo, of very small size, has pale brown-green culms (or canes), which are very thin,  with a diameter of 1 to 2 mm (1in).  These grow to less than 1 m. It grows rapidly, spreading over large areas through its very invasive rhizomes, forming a beautiful rounded, bristling and slightly spreading bushy mass. Its evergreen foliage is composed of long, beautiful, tender green leaves. The edge of the foliage tends to dry out with the first cold, giving the leaves a marginate appearance in very light brown or cream.

Rugged, perfectly hardy and undemanding, this bamboo succeeds almost everywhere, to the point of becoming invasive. To contain its growth, we recommend planting it on a large, unattractive slope or using bamboo root barriers. Graceful and bright in all situations, it is perfectly suited to zen, wild, exotic or contemporary gardens. Tolerating full sun as well as shade, it can be used in light woodland, or as groundcover under trees such as the caramel tree, or Acer griseus. It can also create large, evergreen borders that require very little maintenance, along a pathway in a large garden. This dwarf bamboo is too exuberant to be grown in a pot as it would quickly burst!