Chusquea gigantea
A very tall bamboo forming slowly-spreading clumps to 4m wide and upright canes to 15m or more in ideal conditions. The solid canes up to 6cm in diameter have a striped appearance with a green band around the nodes and yellow-green colouring between the nodes; leaves are mid-green, up to 12cm long and narrowly lances-shaped
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Size
Ultimate height
Higher than 12 metresTime to ultimate height
5–10 yearsUltimate spread
2.5–4 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green Cream Yellow | Green | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Green Cream Yellow | Green | ||
| Autumn | Green Yellow | Green | ||
| Winter | Green Yellow | Green |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H4Botanical details
- Family
- Poaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Habit
- Clump forming
- Genus
Chusquea are evergreen clump-forming bamboos with smooth, glossy, solid canes with 3 main branches at each node, these branching-freely and bearing copious small, dark green leaves
- Name status
Correct
- Plant range
- Chile
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in a moist but well-drained, fertile soil in full sun and water well in dry spells; see bamboo cultivation for further information
Propagation
Propagate by seed or by removing sections of rhizomes with a stem and root, in spring
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Architectural
- Hedging and screens
Pruning
Remove weak, dead, damaged or spindly stems in spring and to show off stems to best effect. Cut out any flowering shoots promptly to discourage more from forming - see bamboo cultivation
Pests
Generally pest-free
Diseases
Generally disease-free
Get involved
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