Further Information

You'll see our recommended planting densities for each size and root type listed next to the products below. We suggest that you use these as a guide, taking into consideration how long you're willing to wait to see your finished hedge. As a rough indication bare roots can be planted at anything from 3 to 7 per metre and cell grown between 4 and 6 - the higher densities here would need to be planted in a double staggered row or zig-zag.

For more information on planting distances please see our planting density advice section. Prices shown are the price per plant unless otherwise stated.

Pruning Advice

As Black Bamboo is such a fast growing species pruning will need to be done regularly to keep the desired effect. Any unwanted or damaged canes should be cut down to ground level in springtime and any new black bamboo shoots should also be pruned to the established height of the plants.

General hedge trimming should be done twice a year, once in early June and again in late September. It is important to prune at the right time, so as not to remove healthy growing shoots.

Delivery & Returns

Everything you need to know about your delivery: Free delivery - this is available on most orders when you reach a minimum order value for your packaging type which is based on the size and quantity of plants that you order. Details are in the delivery information table below.

Packaging Type	Standard Delivery Charge	Minimum Order Values for FREE Delivery
Boxes (Bare roots and pots up to and inc 7.5L)	£7.99 delivery charge (orders up to £60)	Orders of £60 and over - FREE
Pallets (Root balls, large pots 10L+, trees etc)	£60 delivery charge (orders up to £350)	Orders of £350 and over - FREE
Pleached Trees (Specialist Delivery)	£450 delivery charge (orders up to £1500)	Orders of £1500 and over - FREE

Nominated Day Delivery – Choose a day that suits you for your delivery. If nominated delivery is available on the products you’ve chosen, you’ll be able to select this option at checkout. Fees for this will depend on the product selected and your delivery address.

For full delivery information, including geographical exceptions, see our delivery page

Black Bamboo Phyllostachys nigra

Name: Black Bamboo
SKU: PHYN
Price: 56.99 GBP
Availability: InStock

From £56.99

In Stock

Phyllostachys nigra (Black Bamboo) has striking black stems against green foliage make this a very popular variety.

EVERGREEN
FAST GROWING

Planting Conditions: Suitable for normal, chalk and clay soils, full sun to semi shaded areas and inland and exposed sites
Growth Rate: Fast growing, expect 60-90cm a year
Height: Easily maintained at 2-4m
12 Month Guarantee On All Plants - Buy With Confidence

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SKU PHYN

Black Bamboo Hedge Plant Description

Phyllostachys nigra is evergreen, grows remarkably fast and has striking, black-coloured canes (creamy-green in the first year) which contrast well with the verdant green foliage. Black bamboo is a popular choice for a tall hedge due to its speed of growth and exotic, oriental look. It has become a sought after plant in modern garden design in recent years for this eye-catching and unique aesthetic and is ideal for use in creating a calming, tranquil space due to its arching growth, subtle movement and fluttery leaves.

This variety of Black bamboo is classed as a 'running' bamboo and has an attractive arching habit. Being classed as a 'running' variety, which means its roots can spread out fairly quickly depending on ground conditions, Phyllostachys nigra can be considered somewhat invasive, so its best planted best in areas where there is room to spread. That being said, root spread can be easily restricted by keeping it planted in a pot twice the size of the root (even underground). Black bamboo can also be grown in slightly dry soil which is not its preference to stem its growth, however, in this case the roots may travel to find moisture.

In its preferred soil conditions and warm climate Phyllostachys nigra can grow up to 6m tall. To achieve their full height, they prefer a moist soil, so we recommend planting them slightly below ground level (just an inch or two) so that there's a 'dish' around the canes to hold some rainwater.

Black Bamboo can take a year or two to fully settle and they need to be watered well until they are established. Feed alternate years in late spring after the first shoots have reached full height. They prefer sun or semi-shade and will grow by 60/90cm each year.

As an alternative, tall-growing, clumping variety to Phyllostachys nigra we recommend Umbrella Bamboo, which has an attractive, flowing habit with denser foliage, ideal for screening.

For other alternatives to Black Bamboo, see the 'also recommended' list below of different Bamboo varieties and alternative fast-growing species. However, if you still need help to decide which hedge is the right one for you, we'd recommend that you visit our Choosing the Right Species page which has suggestions and alternatives for every situation.

What are root types?

Root types explained.

Bare root
Field grown, bare roots are young plants that are only planted when they are dormant, from autumn to spring. We lift bare root plants and despatch them during the season but they can be pre-ordered in summer. As they are cheaper to grow, they are one of our most affordable hedge planting options.
Pot grown
Pot grown plants can be planted year round and make a convenient option. They come in a wide range of sizes, from 10cm to 2.5m so they're suitable for the majority of planting requirements.
Root ball
Also field grown, root ball plants are scooped out of the ground using machinery to keep their root system intact and wrapped in bio-degradable, hessian sacks. They are mature plants that provide dense coverage very early on, ideal for when you need a thick hedge quickly.
Instant
Grown in troughs or bags that measure 50cm-1 metre in length and carefully clipped during the growing season. Our instant hedging troughs create a dramatic, instant hedge effect.