Description
Shibataea –
There 8 low growing, spreading evergreen bamboos in the Poaceae family, in this genus. They naturally occur in deciduous woodlands and valley slopes in China and Japan. They have slowly spreading running rhizomes though they are not invasive, which sprout slender culms, slightly flattened on one side and slightly bent at the nodes, creating a zigzag effect. Shibataea range in size from 2′ to 6′ feet tall. Each node bear 2-5 short branches with narrowly ovate to elliptic, checkered leaves 2-6″ long and an inch wide, The foliage at the top of the stems arches and droops. Some have fragrant foliage. Grow for their foliage in a mixed border, a gravel garden, or a container on a patio, or if densely planted, as a groundcover.
They are easily grown in moderately fertile, moist but well drained or damp lime free soil in partial shade, or in full sun where soil stays damp, in spring and summer. Divide in spring.
S. kumasasa – Sasa ruscifolia -This evergreen, dense clump forming bamboo from Japan grows 2-6′ feet high and 2′ feet wide. It produces greenish brown culms and abundant, long stalked, broadly lance shaped, pointed, rich dark green leaves, up to 4 ½” long. New shoots appear in late spring. Resistant to low temperates, down to -10 degrees Fahrenheit.
Zones 6-15
