Indocalamus Species, Japanese Broadleaf Bamboo, Large Leaved Bamboo

For sheer drama, this is the best bamboo for my region. It has the largest leaves of any cultivated bamboo. On mature plants, they can re...Read Moreach 2' long by 4", giving a tropical effect in the garden. Best sited where there's some protection from strong winds, as a windstorm can shred the big leaves.

Mature clumps in mild climates can reach 8-10' in height. Here in Boston Z6a, 6-8'. Growth is dense and canes are well clad with foliage to the ground.

On young plants, the leaves often brown out in winter, at least in cold-winter climates. Mature plants are more evergreen.

This species prefers part shade, and is much more shade tolerant than most bamboos. It can adapt to indoor cultivation.

Needs well drained soil, especially in winter. This species is hardier where winter drainage is better.

Its aggressive spread, like that of other running bamboos, is most easily contained if the clump is surrounded by 10-20' of lawn---the lawn mower will cut the soft new canes as they appear.

The rhizomes will not tolerate consistently saturated soil, so water is a natural barrier to spread.

A 2' deep barrier can also contain a clump, but this strategy often fails---rhizomes frequently jump over barriers---and always needs monitoring at least twice yearly.

Canes can easily come up through asphalt.

Now that our patch of Indocalamus tessellatus has had a chance to become established, I agree with another poster's comment that it is in...Read Moredeed aggressive.

It is one of our first bamboo of the season to shoot, easily noticed right about the time we mow for the first time of the spring season. The shoots are strong and dark, so merely brushing your hand along the ground, you can easily find them, and if need be, dig them out.

Very durable stuff, it hangs in there through cold temperatures, but the older it gets, the tougher it is for braving winter chills. Can be trimmed like a hedge if a tidier look is wanted, and odd shoots cut out to keep it in line. I enjoy the large, tropical-looking leaves.

i grow many species of bamboo in my garden and this is a favorite. by definition, i never call any bamboo invasive, but i would certainl...Read Morey call them agressive. invasive plants invade areas in which they were not planted via seed dispersal or thru natural transport of material suitable of propagation (like colocasia bulbs in the SE moved thru water transport).

this species is an agressive spreader, but can be easily maintained. my plants have surpassed the typical height growing to 13 ft tall in rich, organic soil with suitable moisture. the large leaves are very attractive and command the attention of many garden visitors.

A very beautiful bamboo. Spreading, so should be given plenty of room, or grow in containers. The leaves are the largest of any bamboo,...Read More so they need to be protected from harsh wind and sun. Seldom grows more than 48" tall, but can grow to 80".