Phyllostachys dulcis aka Sweetshoot Bamboo

Phyllostachys dulcis, or sweetshoot bamboo, is an evergreen bamboo in the grass family, Poaceae. It comes from China's Fujian, Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces. Its native range has a temperate climate. Gardeners grow it for its tall green canes and edible shoots. It suits screens, bamboo groves and planting as a single specimen.

Garden plants reach about 13–26 feet [4–8 metres] tall. Their spread reaches about 8–13 feet [2.5–4 metres]. The RHS describes plants reaching 20 feet [6 metres] or more. They take around five to ten years to mature. The upright canes have a glossy green surface. They can measure about 0.23 feet [0.07 metres] across. The plant keeps its leaves through winter. Its bushy form can give a screen lasting cover. It spreads slowly, but growth conditions affect how far it travels.

Choose fertile soil rich in humus, with moisture and good drainage. This bamboo grows in full sun or partial shade. It accepts chalk, clay and loam, across acid, neutral and alkaline soils. Shelter it from cold winds that dry the plant. The RHS rates its hardiness H5, while PFAF lists USDA zones 7–10. Poor or dry soil may keep its growth in clumps. Warm, moist sites can let it spread enough to cause problems. Allow room for its width when using it as a screen.

For pots, use peat-free compost with a loam base. Give a balanced liquid feed each month during the growing season. Divide plants in spring to make more. Remove dead, weak and damaged canes in spring. Thin crowded stems to reveal the canes. The RHS also advises removing flowering shoots as they appear. Slugs may harm fresh growth, though disease is not a usual problem. These sources give no flowering season or fruit details.

Young shoots provide the main food crop. PFAF lists both shoots and stems as edible parts. It describes the shoots as mild enough for raw or cooked use. They go into salads, soups and stews. Harvest takes place in spring while shoots stand about 0.26 feet [0.08 metres] above ground. Cut them about 0.16 feet [0.05 metres] below the soil. PFAF reports no known hazards and no known medicinal uses. The canes also serve as farm-tool handles and for industrial uses. They are weaker than those of many other bamboos.