Phyllostachys angusta aka Stone Bamboo

Phyllostachys angusta, or stone bamboo, belongs to the grass family, Poaceae. It comes from southeastern China and grows in a temperate climate. Plants For A Future lists Anhui, Fujian, Henan, Jiangsu, and Zhejiang within its range. It is not native to Britain or Ireland. This evergreen bamboo keeps its leaves throughout the year.

Plants reach about 16 feet (5 metres), with a moderate growth rate. The canes are hard and have uses beyond the garden. Makers use them for fine furniture. Tough strips split from the culms also suit woven bamboo goods. Its shallow roots make it a useful woodland companion. They do not compete with tree roots that reach deeper soil. It can form part of a woodland garden or food forest.

Choose a sheltered spot with rich soil that stays moist. This bamboo grows in light shade, including open woodland. It can also grow in full sun. Suitable sites include woodland edges and areas with dappled shade. It accepts sandy, loamy, and clay soils. Its soil pH range spans mildly acid to mildly alkaline conditions. Plants For A Future lists USDA zones 7–10. It also reports cold tolerance of about 14–23°F (−10 to −5°C). Cold parts of Britain may therefore prove unsuitable. The species shows strong resistance to honey fungus.

Flowering occurs only after gaps of many years. Each flower has both male and female organs. Wind carries the pollen. Seed production takes much of the plant’s energy during flowering. This can leave plants weak, and some die afterward. Seed is seldom available for growing new plants. Fresh seed can take three to six months to sprout. Keep the seed compost moist and provide warmth near 68°F (20°C). Spring division offers another way to raise plants. Divisions need careful handling and shelter while they recover.

Young spring shoots are edible after cooking. Harvest them at about 0.26 feet (0.08 metres) above ground. Cut beneath the soil to gather the tender growth. The shoots measure about 0.10–0.13 feet (0.03–0.04 metres) across. Boiling is the stated cooking method, and the shoots lack bitterness. Plants For A Future reports no known hazards. That report does not establish safety for pets. The same source records no known medicinal use.