Moso Bamboo (Bicolor) 'Bicolor'

While the standard Moso bamboo is difficult to grow to it's potential in the UK due to our lack of summer heat, the 'Bicolor' cultivar is a prized rarity for collectors. It features the same massive, velvety culms but with the added beauty of alternating yellow and green stripes. In a very warm, sheltered spot in the South of England, it can produce substantial canes, though it won't reach the forest-sized proportions it does in China. It is a running bamboo and requires a very large space and rich soil to establish. It is hardy to H5, but its success in the UK depends more on summer warmth than winter cold. The new shoots are covered in fine hair, giving them a unique texture. This is a plant for a patient gardener who can provide a prime, sun-drenched, sheltered location and plenty of feeding to encourage growth.

Sun: Full sun.

Soil: Very fertile, moist but well-drained soil.

Hardiness: H5 — down to −15°C.