Purple Glaucous Bamboo

Phyllostachys violascens, often known as Purple Glaucous Bamboo, is a stately, running bamboo admired for its emerging culms, which are initially green but mature to a beautiful purplish hue, often dusty with a glaucous bloom. This elegant species can reach an ultimate height of 5-8 metres with a spreading habit, requiring rhizome management. It is notably hardy, rated H5, tolerating temperatures down to -20°C, making it a robust choice for many UK environments. 'Violascens' thrives in full sun to partial shade and prefers fertile, well-drained, and consistently moist soil. Flowering is a rare event. Its attractive, tall culms provide excellent architectural interest and can be used for screening or as a specimen plant, especially in a position where the changing colours of its culms can be admired.

Sun: Full sun to partial shade.

Soil: Fertile, well-drained, moist loam.

Hardiness: H5 — down to −15°C.