Marianne's Response

Bamboo – is it dead??

We purchased Fernleaf Clumping Bamboo – bambusa multiplex “fernleaf” to put a natural fence between our home and neighbors. This will be the 3rd season now, it grows great in summer -although we have to keep grass from growing with it, and then “dies” in winter. We live in Kent, WA. Would it help to cut it down when it looks like this? Everything I read states not to cut as it won’t grow back. I am ready to remove all 10 plants, but husband says give it another season. Is there any hope??? Thank you. J Freed

Posted by Judy Freed on April 4, 2019

Marianne's Response

Sorry, but the safe way to keep those plants alive is to wait until late spring to remove any winter damaged leaves. You just have to put up with the winter weary mess. Perhaps planting a low evergreen like black mondo grass in front would help to hide the winter wardrobe malfunction. Or just move the plants to a less visible spot. Keep growing, Marianne Binetti