PLEIOBLASTUS SIMONII

 

15' height, Sun, 5 degrees F Minimum, Runner.

 

        A slow spreading, pleasantly disheveled grassy plant, it can be pruned or stomped & kicked to form a good natural-looking screen or hedge.  Flowers frequently & produces seed with no ill effect on mother plant.  If it gets messy, cut it to the ground & start it over again next Spring.

        Introduced into the U.S. from China in 1862.  Single node rhizome cuttings made in spring will produce foliage if kept hot & moist for several months.  If these leafy cuttings are then planted outside 70% will grow roots & become independent plants in several more months.

        David Andrews in Maryland reports plant is evergreen to 9 degrees F. & dies to ground at -4 degrees F. but regrows in the spring.  Will survive down to -20 degrees F. if heavily mulched.  

 

PLEIOBLASTUS SIMONII VARIEGATUS

Probable height in Southern California within 3 years = 10'

Probable ultimate height in Southern California = 15'

Height in habitat = 20'

If growing in the ground it will look best in sun with some shade.

A running bamboo - rhizomes will run sideways in moist earth unless restrained with a root barrier.

Minimum soil depth required for a healthy plant = 6"

Unrestrained rhizome depth in moist soil = 18"

 

        The variegated form is more interesting and useful than the all green one.  Its appearance is variable, some leaves green, some variegated, some wide, others narrow.  Good raw material for careful, artistic pruning to produce plants widely different in appearance.

        Good source of materials for decorative arrangements, especially with fresh new spring growth from plants grown in shade.

        David Andrews in Maryland reports plant is evergreen to 13 degrees & culms die to ground at -4 degrees F. but regrows the next spring.

        WW3 - "Anbody who doesn't grow this plant is a communist and should join The Flat Earth Society."

        Hermine - "I get real stone Broooklyn mean when I tink youse guys ignorin dis plant like it's some kinda gaabage. Nobuddy loves dis plant enuf.  Whaasamatta, youse too good fa dis plant or suthin?  Maybe one a da boys shud tawk ta youse bout dis plant, maybe break a leg or two, den maybe youse get smaat an get one adese fa yousef."