Phyllostachys flexuosa aka Drooping Timber Bamboo

Phyllostachys flexuosa is an evergreen bamboo in the grass family, Poaceae. It comes from temperate China, with Kew placing its native range in east-central China. Its common names include sinuate bamboo, qiuganzhu and tianzhu. It keeps its dark green leaves through winter. This gives it a role in screens and year-round garden structure.

Garden plants reach about 8–13 feet (2.5–4 m) in height and spread. The RHS also describes canes reaching about 10 feet (3 m). Plants take five to ten years to reach full size. The green canes have a slight sheen and a wavy shape. With age, they turn yellow-brown, then become almost black. Narrow, glossy leaves reach about 0.5 feet (0.15 m) long. The plant produces suckers, so its spread needs attention.

Choose fertile loam rich in humus, with good drainage. Keep the soil moist, rather than waterlogged. Full sun and partial shade both suit this bamboo. It accepts acid, neutral and alkaline soil. Shelter it from cold winds that dry the leaves. The RHS rates it H6 for UK hardiness. Plants For A Future lists USDA zones 5–9. Poor or dry ground may keep its growth more clumped. Warm, moist sites can let it spread invasively.

Use it for hedges, screens or a strong upright garden feature. It can also grow in patio containers or near woodland edges. For pots, the RHS advises peat-free, loam-based compost. Feed container plants monthly during the growing season with balanced liquid fertiliser. Divide plants in spring to make more. In spring, remove dead, weak or damaged canes. Thin crowded stems to make their shapes easier to see. The RHS advises removing flowering shoots promptly. After flowering, it recommends hard cutting back and balanced feed. Slugs may cause trouble, but disease is not usually a problem.

Young shoots provide food when cooked. Plants For A Future notes that raw shoots taste slightly acrid. It describes boiling them with at least one water change. Harvest takes place in spring while the shoots are still short. The same source lists no known hazards or medicinal uses. That hazard entry does not establish safety for every use. Canes serve as plant supports and tool handles. Split stems also supply material for woven items. Their quality is moderate rather than high.