Wooster's Dwarf Bamboo

Wow, is that really a bamboo? You might be asking that question when you see an established clump of Wooster’s Dwarf Bamboo, one of the very best ground-cover plants in existence. Typically growing between 12 and 18 inches tall, this dense, spreading bamboo produces stems from underground roots, and will blend together to form a continuous carpet of green on a bank, beneath trees, in narrow beds, or along a path. The pencil-thin upright stems are tinted purple, and carry large oval leaves, up to 5 inches long, which are mid-green and have tiny serrations along their edges. They are held horizontal, and look a little like palm leaves. It forms a fantastic year-round dense carpet, and thrives even in deep shade. One of the most cold-hardy bamboos, it grows almost everywhere, in all climates, from cold to tropical. It can even be mowed, preferably in early spring, after which you will be rewarded with a fabulous carpet of fresh, new stems.

• Neat carpet of dense foliage to 18 inches tall
• Attractive 5-inch, oval mid-green leaves
• Very cold resistant, right through zone 5
• Tolerates shade from light to deep
• Can be mowed to encourage fresh, new growth

Plant Wooster’s Dwarf Bamboo in light shade, perhaps with some morning sun, right into very deep shade beneath large evergreens. It grows in just about any kind of soil that is well-drained, and is tolerant of drought, city air pollution, black walnut trees, and isn’t eaten by deer. It doesn’t have noticeable pest or disease issues, and is virtually trouble-free. New growth emerges in spring, so trim as needed before then. It can be cut by hand, removing older, damaged stems, or for larger areas just mow it a couple of inches above ground level. The chopped pieces can be left as mulch, they will soon disappear beneath the dense new growth. Note that this is a spreading bamboo that could become invasive, so only use it where there is plenty of room, or barriers such as walls, paths, driveways, paved areas or buried bamboo barriers.