Sasa tsuboiana Pseudosasa japonica

The Sasa tsuboiana, semi-evergreen dwarf bamboo, is dense and bushy with numerous branches and displays magnificent decorative foliage, with large dark green glossy leaves. Low-maintenance and perfectly hardy, it thrives in indirect sun as well as dense shade, in any moist, well-drained soil. A must-have for small zen, Japanese or contemporary gardens !

The Sasa tsuboiana is a type of dwarf bamboo that is dense and compact, with upward branches that are regular in shape. It is perfect for temperate climates and originates from Japan. Belonging to the grass family known as Poaceae, this small bamboo has pale green culms or canes slightly tinged with purple. The diameter of the culms is 5 to 8 mm (0.2 - 0.3 in), and the height can reach anywhere from 1 to 2 m (3 ft 4 in - 6 ft 7 in). It grows rapidly, forming a beautiful, rounded, and bushy clump that is both erect and spreading. The semi-evergreen foliage consists of large glossy and dark green leaves measuring 15 to 28 cm (5.9 - 11 in) in length and 3 to 6 cm (1.2 - 2.4 in) in width. The leaf margins tend to dry out with the first frosts, giving the appearance of a cream margin, which gives this small bamboo a decorative variegated character. During the winter, the bamboo becomes bare, but from early spring, new leaves appear that will reform its splendid lush foliage.

Sasa tsuboiana is a highly adaptable and easy-to-grow bamboo that is robust, hardy, and undemanding. It forms a dense, branching, and rounded mass that is perfect for zen, exotic, or contemporary gardens. However, it should not be planted in direct sunlight, dry soils, or windy areas. 

This versatile bamboo can be used as a hedge by planting it at a distance of 70 to 80 cm (27.6 - 31.5 in), or as a specimen by pruning it repeatedly into a flattened ball. It tolerates shade well and can be used as ground cover under trees like caramel tree and Japanese maple in woodland settings. 

In a shrub bed, Sasa tsuboiana pairs well with sacred bamboo, spindle tree, or Loropetalum. It can also be grown in a rockery, on a slope, or as a solitary clump. This dwarf bamboo is perfect for large pots or planters on a terrace or balcony. It can be combined with black bamboo and different Fargesia varieties with different stems and foliage, creating a tropical scene with an exotic appearance. 

If you want to give your small garden a Japanese character, Sasa tsuboiana is the perfect bamboo for the job.