Description
Sasa –
There are 40-50 small to medium sized woody bamboos, in this genus. Closely related to Sasaella, to which several species of Sasa have now been transferred. They naturally occur in damp hollows and woodlands in Eastern Asia and Japan. From running rhizomes it produces ascending culms which are smooth and cylindrical, with persistent, bristly sheaths and a white waxy bloom beneath the nodes. Most produce large, usually broad, tick, toothed, and checkered leaves. Some forms wither and turn beige at the edges in winter, giving a variegated effect. Use as a groundcover under trees, or as a hedge, they tolerate deep shade.
Grow in fertile, humus rich, moist but well drained soil in full sun to deep shade, tolerant of most soil, but avoid dry soils when planting in full sun. To limit spread, plant in containers and plung into the soil. Divide in spring.
Prone to slugs.
S. veitchii – S. albomarginata – Arundinaria veitchii – Kuma Bamboo Grass – Kuma Sasa – This moderately spreading bamboo from Japan can grow 3-6′ feet tall and with an indefinite spread. It produces slender, glaucous, usually purple culms. With a whitish powder beneath the node. At each node there is a single branched that carries broadly lance-ovate-shaped, ribbed leaves which are glossy, dark green, and reach 10″ long.
Zones 6-15
