How to look after Phyllostachys

Ah, spring. The days lengthen and the weather starts warming up.

Keep an eye out for new growth on your Phyllostachys- it's a sign of better things to come.

Your Phyllostachys should be romping away in the summer heat.

So, sit back and relax and enjoy your outdoor space. Watering is the only thing you really need to worry about, particularly for plants in pots.

You'll soon know if your Phyllostachys is thirsty as it will start to wilt, so get your watering can out.

As the weather starts cooling down in autumn, your Phyllostachys will start slowing down too.

This is an evergreen plant, so as the name suggests, it won't lose its leaves over winter.

Winter won't really bother your Phyllostachys.

It won't be growing much, but will still give some structure to your outdoor space.

Plants might get a bit battered by wind and frost, but don't worry, this is normal and when the weather starts warming up, normal business will resume.

Phyllostachys planted out in a border doesn't need any special attention when it comes to watering once it is established.

But if you've got a new one, make sure you keep it well-watered during the first spring and summer.

It's plants in pots that need a bit more TLC. Keep a careful eye on watering, especially over spring and summer. If it's really hot you'll need to water once a day.

You don't really need to feed your Phyllostachys, but it won't hurt to sprinkle a general purpose food, like Growmore, around the base in spring, but it's not essential.

Plants in pots need feeding with a slow release feed, twice a year: once in spring and once in mid summer.

Phyllostachys needs little pruning, but if you want to reduce the size, or take out a few shoots growing at funny angles, the best time to do this is between mid spring and late summer when your plant is actively growing.

Don't get too carried away though, as you'll ruin the natural shape.

Phyllostachys is a hardy plant, so won't require winter protection once established.

Just take care with young plants, as they can be more susceptible to winter cold. It won't hurt to cover with a large plastic sheet or horticultural fleece if there is a heavy frost forecast.

Shrubs in pots should be OK, but if you live in a particularly cold area, or your garden is exposed, move pots to the corner of a porch, under the eaves of the house or even hard up against a protected wall of the house.

If you can't move your pot, wrap a few layers of hessian or wool matting around the pot to provide some insulation.