Black bamboo

A striking bamboo to use as a specimen plant, this naturally forms a dramatic tall, fairly upright shape. As the finger-thick canes mature, they become glossy jet black, showing up well against the frieze of airy evergreen foliage. Plants look good growing with shrubs, particularly evergreens in a large border or foliage garden, but can also be grown as a single clump in a lawn. Bamboos associate particularly well with water where they make striking reflections, although they do not like wet or waterlogged soil. The Royal Horticultural Society has given it its Award of Garden Merit (AGM).

Looks good with: