Planting position: Suitable for a wide range of areas from full sun through to partial shade.
Soil: Any free draining soil but not waterlogged. For best results Humus rich
Suitable for container planting:
Yes ideal for both ground and container.
Eventual height and spread: Upto approximately 4 metres with a 1.5 metre spread.
Growth speed: Quick
Growth habit: Upright
Flowering period: Not applicable
Pruning: Not necessary unless you wish to restrict height and spread.
Foliage: Dark green, new culms create a chequered effect between dark and pale
Evergreen: Yes
Hardiness: -20
Although this Bamboo is extremely versatile it particularly likes Humus rich soil, before planting prepare your soil well with compost from the garden centre or horse manure, this is especially the case if the soil is in poor condition, if you wish to promote lots of new quick growth this can be done in large quantities. Although this may seem an unpleasant chore you will reap the benefits once the plant gets comfortable in its new surroundings. If a your desired effect is to create a hedge, we recommend planting at intervals of 1.5 to 2 metres.
Q: Are these a good Bamboo to make a hedge, how many do i need for a 4 metre spread?
A: In our opinion these are the very best choice for a non invasive Bamboo hedge, they are low maintenance, quick growing, upright and keep excellent winter colour, we recommend planting at intervals of approximately 90 to 100cm, this won't give an instant hedge but will be a good start and will also give the plants room to grow and mature.
Q: How quick do they grow?
A: There is no set formula to how fast they will grow, like all plants it can depend on a number factors, planting position, sunlight/climate, soil, care, as a guide in average conditions Robusta Campbell should achieve a growth of approximately 1/3 in height and density annually, for example 1 metre plants will be 130cm by the end of the first year and the following year approximately 180cm then 240cm and so on...
Q: You say they can reach heights in excess of 4 metres is this realistic?
A: Yes most definetly.
Q: Can they be trimmed to restrict height to create a hedge affect?
A: Yes they are easily trimmed. Literally chop the tops off to the required height, we recommend doing this whilst the plants are dormant, so late autumn or early spring.
Q: Will they grow in very wet ground?
A: The quick answer is no, like most Bamboo, Robusta Campbell will not do well in very wet ground, they prefer free draining damp soil.
Q: Are they ok in pots?
A: Yes they will do absolutely fine in a large pot always ensure a good water supply, especially during the growing season. On hot days, water daily do not allow to dry out.
Q: Do you recommend adding anything to the planting area to help the plants?
A: There is two choices here, for the die hard gardeners well rotted manure is always a good shout or for fair weather gardeners we recommend Osmocote Pre Plant, this is a slow release fertiliser that will feed the plants for approximately 6 months.
Q: Will they grow in clay soil?
A: It depends how heavy the clay is, light clay they will tolerate if the soil is particularly heavy we would recommend digging it out as much as possible and filling with a good grade of top soil or multi purpose compost.
