Thamnocalamus crassinodus 'Merlyn'

RHS Plant Profile
thamnocalamus 'Merlyn'

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thamnocalamus 'Merlyn' Dorling Kindersley Ltd
thamnocalamus 'Merlyn' Dorling Kindersley Ltd
Bamboos
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'Merlyn' is a relatively upright, clump-forming bamboo to about 4m. The young canes are blue-green, ageing to yellow green, and the evergreen foliage is small and slender

Position

Partial shade

Soil Types

Loam

Max Height

2.5-4 metres

Max Spread

1-1.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
5–10 years
Max Spread
1-1.5 metres
Max Height
2.5-4 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Partial shade
Aspect
West–facing or South–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H3

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Poaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Clump forming
Genus
Thamnocalamus are graceful, vigorous, clump-forming evergreen bamboos. Thick, hollow canes may be covered by a waxy, glaucous blue-white bloom, and bear small greyish-green leaves
Name Status
Accepted

How to Grow

Cultivation

Best in moisture-retentive soil, in partial shade, with shelter from cold winds. In a container, grow in a peat-free, loam-based compost and feed monthly with a balanced liquid fertiliser during the growing season. See bamboo cultivation

Propagation

Propagate by division or take cuttings of sections of young rhizomes in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Architectural
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Patio and container plants
  • Hedging and screens

Pruning

Remove weak, dead, damaged or spindly stems in spring and thin to show off stems to best effect. Cut out any flowering shoots promptly to discourage more from forming - see bamboo cultivation

Pests

May be susceptible to slugs

Diseases

Generally disease-free