Pleioblastus pygmaeus Distichus - Dwarf Bamboo

The  Pleioblastus pygmaeus Distichus is undoubtedly the smallest ground cover bamboo. Very low-growing, with a compact habit, it is adorned with small leaves and vibrant green foliage that is semi-evergreen depending on the severity of the winter. Spreading through trailing rhizomes, it eventually forms a beautiful carpet for slopes and elegant small hedges. It can even replace grass in non-trafficked areas of the garden. Once established, this bamboo requires little maintenance: a severe pruning in February-March is enough to rejuvenate it and give it fresh foliage. plant it in a natural, zen, or Japanese garden, or showcase it in a container on the terrace!

The Pleioblastus pygmaeus is a botanical bamboo species with a particularly compact habit. Like all bamboo, it belongs to the family of poaceae or grasses. This Pleioblastus is well adapted to our temperate climates and cold winters, it also tolerates temporary droughts, and thrives in all exposures and well-drained soils without excessive chalk. It dislikes heavy and waterlogged soils in autumn and winter. This bamboo has hollow, green, very thin canes,  with a diameter of 1mm, and reaches less than 60cm (23.6in) in height. In cultivation, it is generally maintained at a height of 20cm (7.9in) through one or two annual prunings. It has rapid growth and spreads through its trailing rhizomes (a characteristic that will be more or less pronounced depending on the climate and soil type) over large areas, forming a lush carpet. Its semi-evergreen foliage consists of small leaves, with a beautiful bright green colour on the top and lighter on the underside. This bamboo tolerates root competition from other plants very well, and can even overpower them in some cases.

Rugged, hardy, and undemanding, this bamboo succeeds almost everywhere, to the point of becoming invasive. To contain its growth, we recommend giving it a large space or using anti-rhizome barriers to protect neighbouring plants from its vigour. It is perfectly suited for zen, wild, exotic, or contemporary gardens. Tolerating full sun as well as shade in hot and sunny climates. It can be used on the edge of woodland, in front of a curtain of taller bamboo (Fargesia, Phyllostachys), at the base of weeping conifers (Juniperus Horstmann, Cedrus deodara Pendula), in light woodland, or as ground cover under trees such as the caramel tree, Acer griseus, or Japanese maples. It can also create long, low borders, to replace boxwood edging for example along a path or a flowerbed. It can even replace lawns in less frequented areas of the garden. This dwarf bamboo can also be grown in a pot to decorate the balcony, terrace, or a very bright and minimally heated interior.