Phyllostachys Nidularia Broom Bamboo

Phyllostachys Nidularia or Broom Bamboo is an interesting, attractive bamboo with erect canes growing to a medium height in comparison to its relatives. Of particular interest is its adaptability to a fairly wide range of soil situations, including wet soils, and it can tolerate most any exposure.
A member of the Poaceae Family, the Phyllostachys bamboos are known for their attractive, tall, clump forming habit with particularly erect canes or culms. This evergreen bamboo Genus gives rise to the variety Phyllostachys Nidularia or Broom Bamboo, which will grow to an average ultimate height of 6 metres, making it an excellent choice as an evergreen screen. A native of China, known to grow to altitudes of up to 1600 metres, the Chinese prize the Broom Bamboo highly for its value as an edible bamboo. Not only is it an early riser in the growing season, it has a delicate flavour and some say it has a taste similar to hominy corn, neither acrid nor bitter, even when eaten raw. When used as an edible, the young shoots are harvested in the spring when they reach about 4 centimetres in diameter, or about 8 centimetres above the ground. They cut the young shoots to about 5 cm below the soil level; then usually will cook them or process them as a dried food source.
Some notable characteristics of Phyllostachys Nidularia include its green culms, which are sometimes slightly curved and twisted, exhibit prominent nodes and a dense and soft light to mid-green coloured foliage. When the sun hits the leaves, they will put off a unique and beautiful glow of mid green colour. It can grow in soils of most any relative mix of sand, loam, and clay. The Broom Bamboo has small air canals inside each of its rhizomes making it tolerant of wet soils, even those that might be waterlogged; though standing water for any length of time will eventually do them in. The leaves are larger than the typical Phyllostachys bamboo. 
Hardy to -18C, Phyllostachys Nidularia is rated to Hardiness zone H7 in the UK and Ireland, and can withstand most any exposure, near neutral pH, and dappled shade. In temperatures below -15C, the leaves will turn brown, but regenerate completely in the spring. Some of its best uses include as a Woodland Garden or Japanese Garden where it delights in dappled shade and on shady edges. It is extremely popular as an evergreen screening hedge. They can actually persist across partial shade to full sun if necessary, as long as the soil is moist.