Black Bamboo

A striking fast-growing privacy screen where mature canes turn a glossy jet-black against bright green leaves.

Black Bamboo (Phyllostachys nigra) is a running bamboo prized for its dramatic ebony canes and feathery evergreen foliage. New culms emerge green and darken to a polished black over their first year or two, creating a layered green-and-black effect unlike anything else in the landscape. It grows fast, reaching 15-25 ft. tall and 5-10 ft. wide in a clump that expands outward over time, making it a quick choice for tall screening, a courtyard focal point, or an Asian-inspired garden. Because it is a runner, it is at its best where you can give it room or commit to containing it.

Why growers choose Black Bamboo

• Fast vertical screen. Few plants put up height as quickly, filling in a tall privacy barrier in a season or two once established.
• Signature black canes. The polished ebony culms are the reason gardeners seek this species out, glowing against the green leaves and any backdrop.
• Year-round evergreen. The fine-textured foliage holds through the seasons in its range, so the screen stays full in winter.
• Adaptable and hardy. Comfortable from zones 6 through 10 in full to part sun, it shrugs off heat and tolerates a range of soils.
• Movement and sound. Tall, flexible canes sway and rustle in the breeze, adding a living, kinetic quality to a planting.

Plant a managed row of Black Bamboo for a fast, tall privacy screen or windbreak, set a single clump as a sculptural specimen, or grow it in a large container where its running roots are naturally contained. Just plan for containment before you plant.