Best Dwarf Bamboo Plants to Grow in Shade, Patio, Driveway and Boundaries

Chinese dwarf bamboo plants are great undercover plants. 

Most of them prefer shade to part-shaded sites. 

They are ideal small bamboos for gardens and pots because they do not take up much space, and are less demanding and low-maintenance plants.

The Chinese Dwarf Bamboo Plants come in different sizes, shapes and colours. They make up less than 10 per cent of the bamboos that we feature on gardenbambooplants.com. 

So, what are the Chinese bamboo plants? 

This article is a fine collection of small bamboos that thrive in the UK.

5 Dwarf Bamboo Plants to Grow Undercovers

Here are 5 small bamboos to grow as undercover plants. These plants are chosen based on their shade tolerance.

Find out the best way to grow the small bamboo plants. 

1. Luca Dwarf Umbrella Bamboo

This clump-forming bamboo was the 2018 RHS Chelsea Plant of the Year contender. 

Luda is ideal for ground cover and pots because of its dense (umbrella) evergreen foliage low down on the ground.

2. Bambusa textilis ‘RG Dwarf’ (Weaver’s Bamboo Dwarf)

Do not be fooled by the name, this clumping bamboo can grow to 5 metres in height. 

Compared to the other Dwarf Bamboos the Weaver’s Bamboo is tall. 

3. Bimbo Dwarf Bamboo

Stunning clump-forming ornamental Dwarf Bamboo. 

Bimbo has thin green compacted leaves and short culms that form an ‘umbrella’ effect low on the ground. Ideal plant for short hedges, privacy screens, small gardens and confined spaces. 

A fantastic evergreen pot or container plant.

4. Fargesia nitida Jiuzhaigou Bamboo

The stems/culms of this spectacular clump-forming dwarf bamboo emerge green, turn deep red and mature to yellowish-orange. 

In fact, the change in colours is a response to the amount of light the stems receive.

5. Winter Joy

The Fargesia murielae ‘Winter Joy’ is a hybrid bamboo, cross between ‘Simba’ and ‘Dwarf Fountain’ Umbrella Bamboos. 

It has a distinct dark green culm (stem) with red overlays. 

Winter joy is hardy, evergreen and non-invasive.

Best for growing in the garden, or in pots and containers. 

Generally, the dwarf bamboo plants are ideal ground covers. 

They will thrive in part shade to shaded sites. Most of these plants are hardy and grow in cooler climates. 

If you want to add colour and greenery to your driveway or patio, these 5 bamboos are ideal candidates. 

They are also best planted in pot plants for apartments, porches, verandas and other outdoor areas that are in close proximity to the main buildings.