Don’t let the name fool you—Heavenly Bamboo (also known as Sacred Bamboo) isn’t actually a bamboo at all! It’s actually a member of the barberry family. Originally hailing from Japan, China, and India, this shrub is a stunning addition to any garden, though here in the States, we consider it “moderately” hardy. If you want to keep yours looking vibrant through the chilly months, here are my top tips for winterizing your Heavenly Bamboo.
Is Heavenly Bamboo actually winter-hardy?
Generally speaking, these evergreen beauties can handle temperatures down to about 10°F for short bursts. Some tougher cultivars can even push through down to 5°F.
However, if you aren’t 100% sure which variety you have, it’s better to play it safe. Unless you live in a very mild climate, you’ll want to take extra precautions when overwintering them outdoors. One big rule of thumb: always keep them sheltered from those biting, icy winter winds!
Choosing the right spot for your shrub
In a backyard garden, a toxic (so keep the pets away!) Heavenly Bamboo can reach heights of up to seven feet. Because of their striking looks, they also make fantastic container plants. Just keep in mind that a potted shrub won’t reach its full height—it’ll stay quite a bit smaller than its cousins in the ground. Still, even as a dwarf version, it’s a total showstopper.
If you’re planning to plant it directly in the garden, think ahead to winter. It is a massive headache to dig up a shrub every fall and replant it every spring! If that sounds like too much work, I highly recommend sticking with a portable container. That way, you can easily move it into a cool greenhouse or a sheltered spot when the frost hits.
Winter care tips for your Heavenly Bamboo
Even when it’s cold out, your shrub still needs a little TLC. Here is the routine I recommend:
- Before moving your Sacred Bamboo to its winter quarters, prune it back by about a third. This is also the perfect time to check the foliage for leaf drop or any signs of disease.
- Keep watering it, but use soft water (low in lime) if possible.
- You can take a break from fertilizing; the plant doesn’t need the extra nutrients during its rest phase.
- If you’re leaving the plant outside, you’ve got to bundle it up.
A thick layer of mulch, leaves, or brush will protect the roots from freezing. For the rest of the shrub, you can use specialized garden fleece.
The only downside? Wrapping your plant in fleece definitely hides its beauty. Since Heavenly Bamboo keeps its leaves all winter and provides a gorgeous pop of color during those gloomy months, I usually wait until a hard frost is actually in the forecast before I cover it up.
