7 Best Fargesia Murielae Nitida Bamboo Plants [CHINESE FOUNTAIN BAMBOO]

Fargesia murielae nitida bamboo (commonly known as the Chinese Fountain Bamboo or Blue Fountain) is a fantastic plant for shade, part-shade and sun. 

A Fargesia nitida grove has thick foliage that resembles mushrooms or ‘water fountains’ that is why they are called the fountain bamboo plants.

The stems often have different colours from red, pink, and purple to green.

A spectacular non-invasive bamboo plant, it will not send its shoots away from the parent plant. The clumps form a dense upright wall to support the ‘fountain’ foliage.

Fargesia murielae nitida is among the stunning Fargesias in the UK, owing their names to the appearances of the evergreen fountain-like foliage and coloured stems.

7 best Fargesia murielae nitida bamboo plants

A few years ago, only two clump-forming bamboo plants are known in the UK - the Fargesia nitida and mureilae varieties.

Today, successful pollination between the two clump-forming bamboos resulted in many hybrids of bamboo plants. Often those bamboos have different coloured stems and foliage.

As they say, for every garden, there is just the right bamboo for it!

In this section of the featured plants, we will take a look at the 7 Fargesia murielae nitida bamboo plants that are common in many UK homes and gardens. 

You may find one that is right for you.

1. Fargesia nitida 'Black Pearl’ Fountain Bamboo

The Black Pearl bamboo is a spectacular Fargesia murielae nitida. It has purply black culms and overarching green foliage. It grows to 4m in full height and spread 2 - 3m across.

Black Pearl bamboo grows well in pots and containers and adds a great effect to patios, balconies and courtyards.

Although this clump-forming bamboo is undemanding, it will need good soil and water during and immediately after planting.

Soil preparation is key to giving it a good start.

Add mulch, fertiliser or organic compost to preserve moisture and preserve the soil nutrient content.

Best qualities of Black Pearl: A spectacular fountain bamboo with purply black culms and overarching green foliage, non-invasive. Grows well in shade.

2. Fargesia nitida 'Winter Joy’

Winter Joy is a hybrid plant known by its full name as Fargesia marielae nitida 'Winter Joy’.

It is a stunning new plant that has all the ‘goodies’ from the Fargesia nitida and marielae bamboo plants.

This clump-forming bamboo has upright culms with beautiful shades of green and grey. Its leaves are evergreen all year round. It can reach 3 – 4m in height and forms clusters 2 – 3m across.

Like most Fargesia marielae nitida, the Bamboo Winter Joy grows well in large pots and containers.

It is tolerant to changes in weather but prefers a shade to a part-shade area; and nutrient-rich soil with good drainage.

Best qualities of Winter Joy: A beautiful purple sheath and greyish-purply pink tall and upright stems, evergreen dense foliage and non-invasive.

3. Fargesia nitida 'viking’ Fountain Bamboo

Fargesia nitida 'Viking’ is a hybrid (a cross between Fargesia nitida and murielae).

This elegant hybrid clump-forming bamboo is non-invasive, it does not need a barrier because of its tight clump-forming nature.

Perfect for small gardens and pots or containers or grown as a single plant. It prefers partially shaded sites with higher humidity.

Like other Fargesia bamboos, the bamboo 'Viking' will thrive in nutrient-rich soil and where there is good moisture.

Best qualities of Fargesia nitida 'viking’: The long evergreen foliage and edges can be pruned to give a compacted evergreen hedge, stunning purple to green stems and non-invasive.

4. Fargesia nitida 'Volcano’

Fargesia nitida ‘Volcano’ is a stunning, non-invasive bamboo.

It has a beautiful reddish black stem and brown sheath which forms a beautiful contrast between the dense green leaves.

The Volcano can grow to a height of 2 metres, its clumped base can reach 1.5 to 3 metres wide. A good choice for pots and containers or can be planted directly into the ground as a screen or hedge.

This clump-forming bamboo is non-invasive and prefers moist soil and full sun or partial shade. Avoid growing the Volcano Bamboo in waterlogged sites and strong winds.

Best qualities of Fargesia nitida 'Volcano’: The foliage and edges can be pruned to give a compacted evergreen hedge, beautiful red black stems and non-invasive.

5. Fargesia nitida ‘Pillar’

Fargesia nitida ‘Pillar’ has beautiful slender evergreen foliage. It has tight upright stems that go from green to deep dark purple when matured and arched at the tops.

This clump-forming fountain bamboo can grow 3 metres high and is extremely hardy at temperatures below –20 degrees Celsius.

The Nitida Pillar bamboo is highly tolerant of shady making it the best plant for container cultivation and small gardens.

It does not like compacted building soil or very dry sites. It can be used for screening but prefers large pots, containers and shades.

In the dry season, water well or apply mulch and organic composts.

Top Qualities of Fargesia nitida ‘Pillar’: Deep dark green leaves and tall slender clums, prefers shade, ideal for large pots and containers.

6. Fargesia nitida 'Jiuzhaigou’ Bamboo

Fargesia Nitida 'Jiuzhaigou' Red Panda Fargesia Bamboo has colourful stems with evergreen leaves.

The stems/culms emerge green, turn deep red and mature to yellowish orange. A spectacular change in colours is a response to the amount of light the stems receive and how well they’ve matured.

Unlike the other Fargesia in this article, 'Jiuzhaigou' required a lot of direct sunlight.

The clump-forming bamboo thrives in moist well-drained soils. When planted in large pots and containers, the soil must be kept moist and nutrient-rich to make it happy.

Fargesia nitida 'Jiuzhaigou’ is a hardy bamboo, it grows to an average height of 3 metres and spread 2 metres in clump formation.

Best qualities of Fargesia nitida 'Jiuzhaigou’: Spectacular change in the colour of the culms/stems from emerging green to deep red and aged yellowish orange. Needs sunlight for best result.

7. Fargesia nitida 'Obelisk’

Fargesia ‘Obelisk’ is a hybrid bamboo with evergreen leaves contrasting with the dark tall culms, it has the best of the qualities from the parent bamboos, the Murielae and Nitida.

This beautiful bamboo is known to produce numerous shoots and leaves every year.

Obelisk Bamboo is ideal as a standalone bamboo and makes a great ornamental garden centrepiece. It can also be grown in pots and containers, or as privacy screens and hedges to great effect.

This clump-forming bamboo is hardy and can withstand temperatures to a low -25 degrees Celsius.

Bamboo Obelisk culms can grow to 4m tall and support their dense green foliage. This bamboo thrives in part shade and shade.

Best qualities of Fargesia nitida 'Obelisk’: Great standalone plant, it produces masses of new shoots and leaves yearly. The clump-forming bamboo had dense green foliage and thin hardy culms. It is non-invasive.

Clump-forming Fargesia bamboo plants for sale

Here is where to buy the clump-forming bamboo plants online.  

We listed some top UK Home and Garden bamboo suppliers like Crocus and YouGarden.

Also, check out Amazon bamboo suppliers.

Summary of features of Fargesia murielae nitida

This group of clump-forming bamboo plants is best for a garden centrepiece but can also be ideal for hedging and privacy screening when grown in rows.

They are also fantastic shade plants, yet grow well in contained spaces, large pots and containers.

It can grow to 4m in height and spread 2 – 3m across.

• Site: Partial shade, or shade.
• Soil: Moist but well-drained fertile soil.
• Uses: Pots, containers, or individual planting.
• Winterhardiness: - 24  degrees Celcius
• Height: 3 – 4m
• Spread: 1.5 - 2m
• Foliage: Overarching green foliage, coloured stems.
• Grow & care: Clump-forming bamboo, non-invasive and undemanding.

7 Best Fargesia Murielae Nitida Bamboo Plants to grow for a thick screen, hedge and in garden. 

SEE THE PICTURES & FEATURES OF THESE BAMBOO PLANTS HERE.

Fargesia nitida Obelisk [Fargesia murielae and Fargesia nitida Hybrid]

Fargesia nitida ‘Obelisk’ is a hybrid bamboo with evergreen leaves and dark tall culms. This clump-forming Fargesia nitida has the best qualities of the parent plants Fargesia murielae and Fargesia nitida.

This beautiful bamboo is known for producing numerous shoots and leaves every year.

Fargesia nitida Obelisk is ideal as a standalone bamboo, makes a great ornamental garden centrepiece. It can also be grown in pots and containers, or as privacy screens and hedges to great effect.

This clump-forming bamboo is hardy and can withstand temperatures to a low -25 degrees Celsius. 

The Obelisk culms can grow to 4m tall and support their dense green foliage. This bamboo thrives in part shade and shade.

Bamboo Fargesia ‘Obelisk’ features and care

Best qualities of Fargesia nitida 'Obelisk’: Great standalone plant, produces masses of new shoots and leaves yearly. 

Obelisk is clump-forming bamboo with dense green foliage and thin hardy culms. It is non-invasive.

• Identification: Fargesia nitida ‘Obelisk’, Hybrid Umbrella Bamboo Obelisk, Fargesia Nitida Obelisk.
• Culms: Slender, Dark columnar.
• Leaves: Bright green, evergreen foliage.
• Height: 3 - 4 metres.
• Spread: 1 - 2 metres, non-invasive, clump forming.
• Hardiness: - 25 degrees Celsius.
• Use: Standalone specimens, pots and containers, hedges, privacy screens.
• Care: Thrives in the shade and part shade, requires good soils and moisture.

Cost of Clump-forming bamboo plants

The cost listing below is an estimated price of the common Clump-forming bamboo plants based on the cost of 10 – 20 L pots. 

The comparison table shows the price ranges (lowest and highest prices) from over 10 UK online retailers, including the major online markets, Amazon and eBay.

Note that the prices are indicative of the costs of packages (P&P) and delivery charges, and are subject to changes. Use this table as a guide. 

For more information on prices, check the recent online prices from the top UK Bamboo Suppliers.

7 Types of Fargesia Nitida Fountain Bamboo

We featured 7 common types of the Nitida group. 

A spectacular non-invasive bamboo plant, it will not send its shoots away from the parent plant. The clumps form a dense upright wall to support the ‘fountain’ foliage.

Fargesia nitida is among the stunning Fargesia bamboos in the UK, owing their names to the appearances of the evergreen fountain-like foliage and coloured stems.

The 4 articles below are packed with tips and step-by-step guides for bamboo growers. 

Click on the links to find out more.

• 1. How to propagate bamboos from seeds
• 2. How to propagate bamboos from culm cuttings
• 3. How to propagate bamboos from rhizome cuttings
• 4. Common Fargesia Nitida Group of Bamboo Plants in the UK - Feature

Follow GBP on YouTube – Amazing Bamboo Plants. Get the top tips for growing bamboo plants in the UK.

Fargesia Murieliae Simba Clump-forming Bamboo Plant

 Fargesia Murieliae Simba is a small Fargesia bamboo, best for small gardens and contained spaces. 

It is an undemanding small bamboo with dense foliage that loves shade and forms an arching stem with stout branches and broad leaves.

This clump-forming small bamboo stands at only 2m at full height and spreads up to 3m, is non-invasive, and thrives in the UK and temperate Europe.

Fargesia Clump-forming bamboo for sale

Umbrella Bamboo Fargesia Simba is an ideal choice for low-growing hedges or screens, as undergrowth in small gardens, in pots and containers, or on a roof terrace.

To buy Fargesia Murieliae Simba, here is where to buy clumping bamboo plants. We listed some top UK Home & Garden retailers online like Crocus and YouGarden.

Characteristics of Fargesia Murieliae Simba

• Identification: Fargesia Murieliae Simba, Umbrella Bamboo.
• Foliage: Dense compacted evergreen.
• Culm colour: Yellow-green.
• Height: small bamboo, 2m.
• Spread: 2 - 3m clump-forming, non-spreading bamboo.
• Perennial: lasts 20 - 30 years.
• Uses: Pots or containers, hedge or screen, undergrowth (ideal for small gardens, roof terraces or contained spaces).

Growth requirements

• Site: Prefers shade.
• Soil: well-drained moist, loam or sand and clay.
• Winterhardiness: -15 degrees Celsius.

Grow Fargesia Murieliae Simba

Bamboo Simba is an ideal choice for its non-invasiveness and miniature decorative appearance. 

It is prominent as a small bamboo at a height of 2m. This hardy bamboo thrives in small, confined spaces.

Fargesia Murieliae Simba has the finest and toughest among the Fargesia Murieliae.

This evergreen bamboo forms a tight cluster of dense growth low down due to arching branches and dense slender foliage. An ideal bamboo for small gardens, terraces, patios and containers.

Maintain Fargesia Bamboo Plants

Growing clump-forming bamboo in a non-native climate requires care and protection, especially when they are newly planted.

Although most bamboo plants are tolerant of pests and diseases, there is a number of natural threats to be aware of. Mitigating these early threats is the best thing to do to protect the new growth.

Here are the common threats of Bamboo Simba.

• The new leaves, shoots and rhizomes tips low down on the ground are susceptible to slug attack.

• Very high temperatures and heat can cause yellowing and curling leaves and browning of new shoots.

• Frozen soil can cause damage to the root hairs and rhizomes.
• Fargesia Murieliae Simba does not like compacted hard soil.
• Over-watering can damage the plant.

Care for Fergasia Clumping Bamboo Plants

To avoid the natural threats to your bamboo plants, do these:

• Apply Slug and Snail Killer around your new bamboo plants and shoots.
• Add organic mulch. [ref. VIDEO]
• Check the soil moisture.
• Water during dry seasons.

Propagate Fargesia Bamboo

Generally, there are three ways to propagate bamboo from the seeds, by culm and rhizome cuttings, or by culm separation. Propagating Fargesia Murieliae Simba by separation is the best way to get new plants.

As mentioned earlier, though Bamboo Simba is tolerant to pests and diseases in the UK, slugs love the tender new growths.

If you are propagating bamboo plants or planting a recent purchase, protect the new growths by adding Slug and Snail Killer around the new plants. 

The slugs can wipe off the tender growths if left unprotected. (This video shows slugs damaging new bamboo shoots in one visit).

20+ Fargesia Bamboo Varieties

Fargesia Murieliae Simba (umbrella bamboo) is known to have been in Europe since the 1970s, it's fairly in a new variety in the UK. There are over 20 Fargesia nitida and Fargesia Murieliae varieties that grow well in the UK.

Click here to see the Small Bamboo Collection.

Fargesia Murieliae Vs. Fargesia Nitida bamboo plants

We did extensive research on the popular bamboo plants in the UK and, carefully, gathered the qualities and features so that you can find the one that suits you.

Check out our collections of over 20 Fargesia Murieliae and Fargesia Nitida bamboo plants on our Featured Bamboo page. 

One of the common bamboo plants in the UK is the Fargesia Scabrida Asian Wonder. It has outstanding features that rival those of Fargesia Simba.

Small Garden Bamboo Plants

Bamboos are amazing plants. They come in various sizes, shapes, colours, and formations. Although some varieties (Phyllostachys) are invasive, they are manageable. 

The Fargesia (such as Murieliae Robusta, Nitida varieties) are non-invasive, and form clusters of rigorous stems and clumps that do not spread. They are best for small gardens.

These clump-forming, non-invasive bamboo plants are ideal for small hedges and individual plants. They thrive in pots and containers, and in small spaces like the terrace and balconies.

In the UK, Fargesia bamboo plants can grow an average of 0.5 – 1.0m in Spring, reaching their full maturity in 3 – 5 years. And remain evergreen, providing the evergreen cover all year round for 20 to 30 years.

Small Fargesia Bamboo Plants for Landscaping

Small bamboo plants are great undercovers, shade loving and tolerant to frost and drought. They are also the best landscaping plants as they come in different colours.

5 Small Bamboo Plants for landscaping

Here we list 5 awesome miniature bamboo plants that you can use to bring the best out of your garden.

1. Scabrida Asian Wonder
2. Fargesia Robusta Wolong
3. Pleioblastus fortunei Variegata [VIDEO]
4. Frosty Bamboo Angustissima
5. Fargesia murielae Bimbo Small Bamboo

The small bamboo plants are ideal for landscaping and undercovers.

They are also fantastic for landscaping and tolerant to extreme variations in weather and soil conditions. Some of these small bamboos are hardy down to – 20 degrees Celsius.

You can see the unique Collection of Small Fargesia Bamboo Plants we feature here, as well as other small Fargesia bamboo plants via this link: Small Bamboo Collection)

Buy Fargesia Bamboo Plants UK

We’ve compiled a list of the reputable Garden retailers in the UK where you can buy the right bamboo at the right price. 

Click on the link to check out the UK Home & Garden retailers selling clumping bamboo plants.

Small Fargesia Bamboo Care

Although Fargesia bamboo plants are tolerant, there is a number of natural threats growers should be mindful of. These threats will affect the overall outlook of the landscape.

Mitigating these early threats is the best thing to do to protect the new growth. 

Some of the common natural threats that affect the growth of Fargesia murielae plants include:

• New leaves, bamboo shoots and rhizomes tips are susceptible to slug attack;
• Frozen soil damages the exposed root hairs and rhizomes; and
• Strong winds damage the tender new culms.

Take action to protect the bamboo plants if/when the need arises. 

Things You Must Do When Growing Bamboo in Pots

Bamboo plants in pot and container planters are great for instant privacy screens. Besides, you do not have to worry about the bamboos’ invasiveness because the planters are barriers. 

They also provide the benefit of moving them around to optimise on space available, perfect for small and narrow spaces.

Bamboo plants come in different sizes and shapes. The options are endless. Some tall and slender bamboo varieties are perfect for privacy screening the porches, patios, decks and balconies.

Check out best ways to grow healthy bamboo in pots, or see our sales page where you can find the renowned UK Home & Garden retailers for bamboo plants and supplies.

Ensuring healthy bamboo plants

There are more benefits to using the plants. However, growing bamboo in pot and container planters requires extra care and attention, unlike the garden hedging bamboo screens.

In this article, you will find out about how to:

• choose the best bamboo for small outdoor spaces,
• select the best planters to grow bamboo and
• provide long-term care for the bamboo plants.

How to select the best pots and containers?

There are a lot of recommendations for larger and bigger bamboo planters, but these are not often the best recommendations for narrow outdoor areas like the deck, patio, balcony or porch. 

Unless, of course, use a bigger planter if the outdoor area has enough space for a bigger plant.

When choosing a pot or container for growing bamboo, size, weight and stability matter!

That begs the question what is the best pot or container for planting bamboo plants?

The three-pointers will help you to identify the bamboo planter that suits you.

• A strong and durable frost resistant pot or container planter will act as a root barrier and protect the plant against the cold. Avoid the thin plastic pots because they do not stand a chance against the bamboo rhizomes and clumps in compacted space.
• Avoid growing bamboo in containers that have small openings and heavy tops. If you use these planters, it will be hard to remove the bamboo plants for repotting, or the tall plants will topple to the ground.
• Choose a container or pot that is stable, well insulated and has holes underneath. Here are options for stable square and rectangular pots and container planters and boxes that you should consider when growing bamboo for an apartment balcony, home or office.

Space matters when growing bamboo plants

Perhaps the important point to consider when selecting a pot or container for growing bamboo is the space available on your porch, patio, deck or balcony. Most of these spaces are usually narrow.

Ideally, the narrow rectangular heavy-duty containers are best for this kind of space. For the corners, you may want to choose a heavy-duty square container planter.

Some DIY wooden and metal containers are great for other plants, but not ideal for bamboo plants. 

Furthermore, the metals pots do not have good insulations as they either absorb or lose heat pretty quickly in Summer and Winter, respectively.

If you still wish to use DIY wooden containers to grow bamboo, the best thing to do is to use the treated timbers that can last longer than 5 years. 

As for the metal containers, ensure that they are well insulated from heat and cold.

Above all, ensure that the pot and container planters for growing bamboo are strong and stable, are well insulated, and have good drainage.

 

Choose large pots or container planters

You can move the bamboo into a larger pot or container planters. It is going to be a tedious operation getting the bamboo out. 

However, if you are using the square and rectangular container box, you’ll find it easier to uproot the plant and repot it while saving the old container box.

In a case where it is difficult to remove the plant from the container planter, you will have to decide whether to keep the plant or keep the planter box. That means that you will have to destroy one and save the other.

The best time for repotting a bamboo plant into the container planters is early Spring when the new growths are prominent. 

Avoid environmental stress in confined areas

Like other potted plants, bamboos in pots require attention if they were to thrive in the confined space. 

One of the main reasons why bamboo leaves turn yellow (more info here) is the lack of moisture and nutrient in the soil. 

Undoubtedly, bamboo in pots and container boxes will grow well where there is good moisture and nutrient in the soil.

Many pot and container planter boxes have a hollow bottom where the water drains out pretty quickly. 

Bamboo plants tend to lose more water through transpiration through the thin and slender leaves compared to other thick leaves plants.

Poor drainage and a high rate of transpiration are often the main reasons why the soil in pot planters becomes devoid of nutrients and moisture. This is the main cause of the yellowing of bamboo leaves and browning culms.

How to improve soil condition in pots?

There are two things you can do to improve the soil moisture and soil nutrients in pot and container planters.

Firstly, fill the base of the pot and container planters with pebbles, gravel or a porous pot filler to stop it from losing water. 

Do not block the hole at the bottom of the planters completely because the bamboo plants dislike waterlogged containers.

In addition, leave a spacing of about 10cm to 15 cm at the top of the pot and container planters after you’ve planted the bamboo. This space is very important for mulching and fertilising the plants later.

Secondly, use nutrient-rich loam soil and or potting compost when potting bamboo plants into containers to give them the best start. 

Here is the right mixture of clay to sand to silt to create an ideal loam for growing bamboo. 

Alternatively, a 50/50 mix potting compost contains the right nutrient and moisture for new bamboo plants to thrive in the pots.

If you need more information on how to grow bamboo, check out the Instructional Guides from YouGarden.

How to stop tall bamboo in pots from falling down?

Ominously, the tall bamboo plants will sway in the wind and topple to the ground if the pots are unstable. When this happens, you are likely to have a damaged plant, or pot, or both.

To avoid bamboo in pots falling to the ground, choose a pot or container planter with good stability.

A regular occurrence is when the tall bamboo culms lean out of the bamboo cluster or grove. In this case, use the garden ropes to tie them back. 

Protect potted bamboo roots and rhizomes from cold and frost

The bamboos in pots and container planters require insulation in Winter when the temperature falls to negative values.

Although the bamboo plants are tough and hardy, the roots and rhizomes are above ground level and are directly exposed to the weather, unlike the plants on the ground. 

The bamboo plants in the planter pots are prone to frost, frozen soil and, even, the Winter’s chill.

The best way to protect the bamboo in the planters is to add mulch and cover the base of the pots with an insulating blanket, bubble wrap or special plant insulation fleece.

Do these when bamboo in pot and container planters grow big

The running and clumping bamboo plants will reach full growth in the pots and containers within 2 – 5 years. That is the period when the plants are at their peak. 

They’ll display evergreen foliage, shiny culms and beautiful leaves – an ideal time to enjoy the beauty of your bamboo plants.

The plants will thrive for more than 5 to 10 years in large pot planters under the right conditions and care mentioned in this article. 

To continue to enjoy them, there are a couple of things you can do to keep the plants in the pot longer.

How to maintain bamboo plants in pots and containers?

Bamboo plants are relatively hardy bamboo and can withstand air temperatures as low as – 20 degrees Celsius in normal growing conditions. 

However, bamboo plants in pots and containers without the right insulations will struggle to survive at such very low temperatures.

So the first thing to do before planting them is to insulate the containers by using styrofoam which is light and great for extra insulation. 

In addition, the new bamboo plants are prone to slugs damage. Add Slugs and Snail Killer to protect new shoots and rhizome tips.

Here are some general protection measures to apply when planting bamboo in pot and container planters;

• Apply Slug and Snail Killer around your new bamboo.
• Add organic mulch.
• Tie the long culms to bamboo sticks or poles.
• Add insulation inside the pot and containers.
• Cover the pots and containers with additional insulation fleece or blanket when the temperature drops to negative degrees Celsius.

‘Thinning’ bamboo in pot and container planters

Remove the old unhealthy culms (canes) to give the new shoots a chance to reach full height. In fact, the new shoots will be stronger and taller than previous bamboos, so encourage new growth if you want taller and healthier plants.

After 5 – 10 years, you will have to carry out ‘thinning’. Remove the older bamboo culms and rhizomes from the pots and containers, and separate the culms into segments for repotting. This activity is best done in Spring.

At this juncture, we provided insight into how to select and grow the perfect bamboo plants in pots for the small outdoor space at home, the office or the rental place. 

If you are undecided, do not worry. Check out the Award Winning bamboo plants.

We hope this article helps you. Let us know what you think in the comment below.

How to care for black bamboo nigra?

The old culms and rhizomes of the black running bamboo Phyllostachys nigra will need pruning to promote new growth. 

The thick bamboo bush may require thinning. 

Cut the new shoots and remove any unhealthy culms close to the ground.

Also, the new black bamboo shoots will have to be tied back to give a neat hedge. 

The plants in the pots will require repotting if they’ve outgrown the pots. 

Here is the Complete Guide to Bamboo Care and Maintenance.

 

Check out the black bamboo plants for sale at Crocus.co.uk

How to protect black bamboo?

Bamboo plants are hardy and tolerant of pests and diseases. However, the Black Bamboo plants will require sunlight, water and fertiliser to thrive in pots and poor soil.

The best time to prune, add fertilisers and mulch and re-pot/replant bamboo is in early Spring when the new growths are prominent.

Pruning and thinning bamboo plants are vital for the plants. As mentioned above, pruning can be done to either remove the old culms and rhizomes with the aim to promote new growths.

Whereas thinning is normally carried out to reduce the bamboo’s density and stop the rhizomes from spreading, basically removing the unwanted growths.

The bamboo canes are great sticks for staking tomatoes, plants and flowers in the garden. So, keep the bamboo sticks when you are pruning or thinning the black bamboo. 

You can also use rhizome cuttings to grow new black bamboo plants.

All in all, we hope that this article helps you to identify the common black bamboo plants that thrive in the UK and learn how to grow them in pots and containers, or in the garden.

Spacing bamboo plants for hedging

There are several types of running and clumping bamboo and they come in different sizes and shapes. 

When spacing bamboo, you need to understand how far they’ll spread in one growing season, Spring to Summer. 

As a general rule of thumb, plant the bamboos with good spacing while taking into account how far they’ll spread. 

Spacing bamboo plants by 'spread'

This information (average spread) is often provided in the plants' specifications when you buy them.

This estimate is an indication of far the plant is likely to spread from the parent plant when matured.

So, check the 'spread' indicated on the plant info sheet when you buy it.

Grow the smaller bamboos and clump-forming varieties 1.0 to 1.5 metres apart, whereas the running bamboo is 1.5 to 2 metres apart. 

Ideally, leave space (room) for the bamboos to grow. 

In time, they will eventually cover the gaps. If the gaps are too wide, you can plant new cuttings to complete the privacy screen or hedge.

How to take care of bamboo plants [Video]

Bamboo will require care and maintenance to grow well. In this article, we take a look at how you can take care of your bamboo plants, and when to attend to them.

Build bamboo boots barrier

The roots barrier is essential. 

Both the running bamboo and clumping bamboo will require some sort of barrier, either as raised beds, pots and containers or trench. 

In addition, the running bamboo plants are invasive. Using roots barriers will definitely be a top priority. 

Create a root barrier before planting running bamboo, unless you are growing them in a contained space. 

If your bamboo does not have a root barrier, here are some places where you can get one. 

The plastic root barriers are formidable – strong enough to stop rhizomes from penetrating them.

Remove bamboo stems, branches and rhizomes

Bamboo thinning is absolutely necessary when the bamboo outgrows an area either in the garden or in the pot and container. 

Also, thinning running bamboo means reducing the number of culms and rhizomes by digging them out completely. 

Thinning is important because sunlight will reach the inner part of a bamboo plant and promotes growth. 

The young plant will do well when it does not have to compete with the older, more established plants in the stock. 

The best time for thinning bamboo is early Spring, just before any new shoots from the previous year establish themselves. 

It is important to note that thinning bamboo is likely to cause distress to the whole plant. 

To avoid any significant damage to the plant, cover it with access soil, and add mulch and water.

Add mulch

Bamboo plants will grow thick and fast where there is well-drained soil with good moisture. 

It is also good to way add warmth and protect the bamboo from frost and frozen soil in Winter. 

Mulching is important for the soil to retain moisture in Summer, promote new bamboo growth and preserve the plant from Winter’s cold. 

It also gives your garden a neat appearance. 

The best mulch to use is bamboo leaves. They contain silica which is high in nitrogen and nutrients plants need. So rake the bamboo leaves and put them back onto the plant. 

Other options are grass cuttings, tree barks, dead leaves and small twigs. 

You can add organic mulch as and when your bamboo needs it, but the ideal time for mulching is early in Spring or late in Autumn.

Maintain bamboo plants

Bamboo is a tough plant, however, there are two ways to protect the new shoots. 

Slug attacks

Firstly, the new plants are prone to slug attacks. 

In fact, slugs love the new bamboo leaves and shoots. They can devour the plants in one visit, this happened to one of our new bamboos. 

If you see any new growth, add Slug and Snail pellets to protect them. 

Staking new shoots

Secondly, the tall bamboo and new shoots will require staking. 

This stem support encourages the shoots to grow upright and protect them from the wind. 

Staking the plants is important if you grow bamboo in pots or as windbreaks. 

You can use bamboo sticks and garden rope to tie bamboo as they grow. 

The ideal time to stake your bamboo is when the new growths are coming out. They will need this support.

Taking care of bamboo plants outdoors

If you are planning to build root barriers or thin out the bamboo rhizomes and culms, do it in early Spring. 

After attending to your bamboo, always add the access soil and mulch to the base of the bamboo plants, and tidy up the base of the bamboo before Summer to stimulate new growths. 

Here are helpful tips for taking care of (and growing) bamboo plants. 

1. How to take care of bamboo plants in pots and containers? 

2. How to propagate bamboo from seeds and bamboo cuttings? 

3. How to cut bamboo plants? 

4. Bamboo removal tools you should have

Learning or knowing how to take care of your bamboo plants in the garden or in pots and containers is vital. 

All in all, thinning, pruning, mulching and protecting your bamboo are all significant aspects of bamboo care for better plants. 

We hope this article helps you. Let us know what you think in the comment below.

Diagram showing Parts of a Clumping Bamboo Plant

 

Parts of a clump-forming bamboo

The rhizomes of the clumping bamboos are stout, and thick and grow upwards from the parent plants, also called the Pachymorphs rhizomes. 

Usually, the base culms are much thicker than the stem, compact as they grow upward, forming solid tight clumps.  Dia: Adapted from Bamboos by C.Recht & M.F. Wetterwald

Importance of knowing the parts of a bamboo

As mentioned earlier, there are many different groups of bamboo cultivars. 

The common bamboos we know in the UK are the clump-forming and running bamboos. 

The running and clumping bamboo plants have different parts which are important when it comes to identifying them. 

This is vital especially when reading material or working with bamboo. 

We hope that this information gives you some ideas about the parts of a bamboo plant.

Parts of a running bamboo plant - diagram

The running bamboos have noticeably long-running rhizomes with pointy tips, also called the Leptomorph rhizomes and can grow over a considerable distance.

Here is the diagram of the parts of a running bamboo plant.

 Dia: Adapted from Bamboos by C.Recht & M.F. Wetterwald

Importance of knowing the parts of a bamboo

As mentioned earlier, there are many different groups of bamboo cultivars. 

The common bamboos we know in the UK are the clump-forming and running bamboos. 

The running and clumping bamboo plants have different parts which are important when it comes to identifying them. 

This is vital especially when reading material or working with bamboo. 

We hope that this information gives you some ideas about the parts of a bamboo plant.

Closer Look at Parts of a Bamboo Culm

Bamboo culm is commonly known as stem or cane. 

The culm is comprised of 10 parts. 

Tips

The bamboo tips are the’ telescopic’ ends of the new shoots with sheath blades sticking out the sides. 

Inside the tips, there are lots of activities such as cell divisions and differentiation.

Shoots

The final thickness of the internodes and nodes are already laid down, pre-determined, in the shoots. 

The bamboo shoots grow in length into culms and produce branches and leaves.

Buds

Buds from the base of the bamboo grow into shoots and rhizomes. 

The ‘lateral’ buds appear at the node and grow into branches.

Culm Sheaths

The sheaths are cloth-like covers that wrap around the new shoots as they emerge and fall off as they mature into culms.

Nodes

The solid joints are called nodes. 

They form circular rims around the bamboo culms, every two nodes enclose a hollow internode.

Internodes

The internodes are the hollow cylindrical part between two nodes. 

Some internodes are oval-shaped like those of the Buddha Belly bamboo.

Branches

The main branches often grow out of the culm nodes. 

Each branch often has its own branch nodes and leaves. 

All the branches and leaves put together makes up the bamboo evergreen foliage.

Sulcus

This is the shallow indentation that runs from the branches up the internodes, often conspicuous in Phyllostachys bamboos.

Stem base

This is the lower part of the bamboo culm, sometimes seen just above the ground. 

This is the region where new bamboo shoots grow.

Stem petiole

This is the lowest part of the bamboo that connects to the rhizome, often found under the ground.

Main Parts of a Bamboo Plant

Bamboos are members of the grass family. 

They are common in the temperate and tropical zones mainly in Asia, Central and South America and the Pacific region. 

The bamboo’s woody stems grow fast. 

Like the other grass species, bamboos have hollow stems, and slender (bladed) leaves that form formidable evergreen foliage.

 

Parts of a bamboo plant

This outline will help you to identify the 10 common parts of a bamboo plant. 

In fact, knowing the different parts is important for understanding your bamboo plant. 

Let’s take a quick look at these parts starting from the ground up.

Rhizomes

Bamboo rhizomes are common in both running and clumping bamboos. 

In the running bamboos, the rhizomes are also known as the horizontal underground stems. As the name implies, the rhizomes run along the ground and spread aggressively. 

In the clumping bamboos, the rhizomes tend to keep close together and form tight bases or clumps, hence the name clumping bamboos. 

The rhizomes are the ‘engine rooms’ where a bamboo plant derives its ‘power’ and ‘energy’ for growth and development.

Bamboo Roots

Bamboo roots are not rhizomes. 

The roots, feeding roots or root hairs, are the thin underground tendrils that grow into the soil, usually from the rhizome nodes. 

The roots are vital for nutrient and water uptake and for supporting the whole bamboo plant.

Bamboo Leaves

Bamboo leaf and foliage are often used interchangeably to mean the same thing, however, there is a slight difference. 

A leaf is the single green vegetative part of the bamboo that appears on the branch, whereas foliage refers to a cluster of leaves.

Bamboo growers say, ‘there are lots of green leaves on the bamboo’ or alternatively they say ‘this evergreen foliage is pretty'. That latter sounds right, hey!

Either way, the bamboo leaves create notable evergreen foliage that appears all year round.

Of course, the leaves are also vitally significant for photosynthesis and transpiration in bamboo plants.

Bamboo Culms

Bamboo culms are often referred to as bamboo stems or canes. 

The culms start off from the ground as tender shoots. 

The culms are cylindrical and have nodes between two internodes. 

Bamboo culms are usually hollow with different thicknesses. 

The lower parts of the bamboo culms are the culm base and culm petiole which are found either underneath the ground or just above it.

Parts of a running bamboo

The running bamboos have noticeably long-running rhizomes with pointy tips, also called the Leptomorph rhizomes and can grow over a considerable distance.

Dia: Adapted from Bamboos by C.Recht & M.F. Wetterwald

Parts of a clump-forming bamboo

The rhizomes of the clumping bamboos are stout, and thick and grow upwards from the parent plants, also called the Pachymorphs rhizomes. 

Usually, the base culms are much thicker than the stem, compact as they grow upward, forming solid tight clumps. Dia: Adapted from Bamboos by C.Recht & M.F. Wetterwald

Importance of knowing the parts of a bamboo

As mentioned earlier, there are many different groups of bamboo cultivars. 

The common bamboos we know in the UK are the clump-forming and running bamboos. 

The running and clumping bamboo plants have different parts which are important when it comes to identifying them. 

This is vital especially when reading material or working with bamboo. 

We hope that this information gives you some ideas about the parts of a bamboo plant.

Bamboo Grow and Care

We have a lot of useful materials as well as bamboo features that you may find useful. 

Check out the main menu, or related articles below for more information.

1. Working with Bamboo - Digging Tools
2. Separating Bamboo Tips: How to split bamboo plants?
3. Bamboo Care: How to take care of bamboo plants?
4. How to Grow Bamboo in Pot and Container Planters
5. Bamboo Privacy Screen for Balcony, Deck, Patio or Porch

If you are looking for info on a specific bamboo, why not leave a comment below? 

We may be able to help. Or alternatively, we will refer you to the right place where you can get the right help. 

Follow us on Twitter and YouTube where we are active.

Clump-forming Bamboo Plants UK

We featured over 50 clumping bamboos on Garden Bamboo Plants (G.B.P.) and wrote numerous articles detailing their:

• uses & qualities;
• growing conditions & growth requirements; and
• care & maintenance.

This article features both the clumping and running bamboos that are common in the UK. 

We can reliably say that there are over 50 common clumping bamboos that can grow well in the UK, including the US and Australia.

• How to identify running bamboo plants
• How to identify clumping bamboo plants

Pros and cons of growing clumping bamboo

Generally, there are lots of good stories about growing clumping bamboos in the garden or in pots. 

Also, many bamboo growers like clumping bamboos because they are great for garden hedging and privacy screening. 

Their clumping habit makes them the ideal choice for growing in small and contained spaces like balconies, terraces and apartments. 

The clumping bamboos will demand care and attention, either as new plants or in Spring when the new growths are prominent. 

Also, the mature bamboo plants can be difficult to remove when they expand out of the allocated space, or if left unchecked for 2 to 3 years. 

The growing habits of these bamboos indicate that the pros of growing them definitely outweigh the cons. 

Clump-forming bamboo habits

Look closely at the parts that are underground, especially the areas around the clumps. 

The clump base of clump-forming bamboo plants, as the name suggests, is stout and compacted, unlike the running bamboo plants that have elongated rhizomes (underground stems).

The clump-forming bamboo is extensively characterised by the behaviour of its rhizomes. 

Alternatively, here is an article that gives a clear comparison of the parts of clumping vs running bamboo. 

 

Click here to check out the collection of Clumping and Running bamboo plants from the Home & Garden retailers in the UK.

Pros and cons of growing running bamboo plants

Generally, there are lots of bad stories about growing running bamboo in the garden because of its invasiveness. But they are great plants if you look after them well. 

Many bamboo growers prefer the runners because they are the option for a quick and long-lasting solution for hedging and privacy screening, as well as pot plants or for planting in contained spaces. 

Their evergreen dense foliage, different options for height and spread and fast-growing habits make them the ideal choice. 

It will require care and attention, either as new plants or in Spring when the new growths are prominent. 

In addition, mature plants can be difficult to remove when left unchecked for 2 to 3 years. 

The growing benefits of growing running bamboo definitely outweigh its invasiveness. 

Here are some great tips to help you pick the right running bamboo.

Best bamboo features and qualities

Phyllostachys and Pleioblastus varieties are popular running bamboos. They have a spectacular stem and sheath colourations. 

One of them is the spectacular Phyllostachys nigra – the Black Bamboo. We feature many of these bamboos here at G.B.P. Here are some names that you may be familiar with.

• 1. Phyllostachys nigra (4 Cultivars of P. nigra)
• 2. Phyllostachys nuda (Snow Bamboo)
• 3. Phyllostachys humilis (Scottish Bamboo Plants)
• 4. Phyllostachys aurea (4 Cultivars of P. Aurea)
• 5. Phyllostachys vivax Aureocaulis (Golden Chinese Bamboo)

Find out about the unique features and garden qualities of these bamboos from our Phyllostachys Bamboo Collection.

 

Where to buy running bamboo plants?

We work with some big UK home and garden brands. 

Check out the links to go straight to their website where you can find out the bamboo collections and read more about each one.

• Phyllostachys Bamboo Plants     Crocus.co.uk
• Clump-forming Bamboos           YouGarden UK

What to do when buying potted bamboo plants?

Bamboo plants from garden shops and online marketplaces like eBay and Amazon have clear labels. This makes it easy to identify the bamboo. 

However, mix-ups are likely when buying bamboo plants online and also in stores. 

Whether you are buying bamboo seeds or bamboo in pots, it is always the right thing to read the labels properly. 

Also, read the reviews and descriptions before making a purchase.

Bamboo fast-growing evergreen hedge plants?

Bamboos are not the only fast-growing hedge plants. The other fast-growing shrubs for hedging and privacy screening. They are great alternatives to traditional hedge plants like the Green Leylandii, Photinia, Red Robin, Western Red Cedar, Portuguese Laurel and Beech.

The hedging shrubs are evergreen and retain their foliage all year round, while the others are deciduous and lose their leaves in Autumn. 

Many of the hedging trees and shrubs require pruning and mulching to provide neat covers or they’ll grow tall uncontrollably. 

Bamboos are fast-growing, if not the fastest, among the hedging and screening plants. 

In addition, the bamboos are a standout because they come in different varieties. 

We will identify what makes bamboos a good option for hedging, but first, you may be interested in this article that let’s compare the growth rate of 6 common hedging shrubs and trees in the UK.

 

Why use bamboos as a hedging plant?

The bamboos are a group of special hedging plants. 

They will grow fast, reach a certain height and remain evergreen for many years. They have been used extensively in modern landscaping and garden designs to great effects. 

Growing at 2 – 5 ft or 60 - 150cm per year, bamboo is the option for quick hedging. It is fast-growing, evergreen and stands out as the only grass plant for hedging. 

There are, in fact, many varieties of clumping and running bamboos that are suitable for both home and garden hedging. 

Furthermore, these plants come in various sizes, shapes and colours perfect for tall and short hedges. You can trim some bamboos to give a neat hedge while others may not require any trimming at all.

What are the best bamboo plants for hedging?

Although the running bamboo plants are invasive, growing them in contain structures or pots and containers are ideal containment measures. 

Alternatively, choose the clumping bamboos as they are the better options for dense hedges. 

So, if you are looking for a better alternative to the common trees and shrubs and other hedging plants, bamboo hedges are great options.

All You Need to Know About Selecting Bamboo Plants is a guide that will lead you to the right bamboo depending on your preferences. So, check it out and download the PDF version.

Pros and cons of bamboo hedge plants

As a grass variety, bamboos have slim culms, are tall, and slender and tend to grow in masses providing dense evergreen foliage covers all year round. 

But, the running bamboo varieties are invasive and spread very quickly putting out lots of shoots and rhizomes every year. 

This is one of the major reasons why many homeowners and gardeners do not want to grow bamboo hedges. 

Many homeowners who inherited bamboo may find it overwhelming to control the bamboo. These neglected bamboos will require a lot of work to remove. 

They are like a rowdy toddler if you neglect them. 

However, the pros of growing bamboo far outweigh the cons. 

Bamboo plants are formidable hedges. You have to select them carefully, choose the ideal site and care for them as they grow just like the other hedging plants.

How to grow a bamboo hedge?

Clumping bamboos will need spacing of less than a metre in between them. As the clumpers grow, they’ll cover the spaces and provide a formidable hedge. 

The clumpers are perfect for low hedges. 

You’ll have to buy enough clumping bamboo to give you a good hedge or alternatively split the bamboo potted plants so that you can get the thick hedge. 

The running bamboos will spread and ultimately form a dense hedge within 2 to 3 years and reach matured height in 10 to 20 years. 

So, space them out at least a metre to 1.5 metres apart. 

Reassuringly, you do not have to worry about how far to space them. Once the bamboos grow, you can then move them around to cover the gaps.

Care for bamboo hedges

As mentioned earlier, not all bamboos will require trimming. 

They grow to a certain height (called the matured height) and remain that way for 10 – 20 years. 

Whereas other bamboos can be pruned to give a neat appearance. Either way, it boils down to selecting the right bamboo that suits you. 

 The common bamboo care and maintenance include:

• thinning,
• mulching,
• pruning,
• fertilising,
• dig a trench, and
• build boot barrier.

More details on How to Care for Your Bamboo here.

 Provide the right care for your bamboo hedge

Must-do when growing bamboo plants

Before planting bamboo, whether it’s a runner or clumper, you should build a barrier especially when growing them as hedging plants. 

This is an important measure because as they grow, they’ll either spread (runners spread) or expand (clumpers expand). 

Barriers can be root barriers, trenches, raised beds or contained structures – any that works for you.

6 fast-growing evergreen hedge plants in the UK

In the UK, many hedge trees and shrubs are either evergreen or deciduous. Some lose their leaves in spring whereas others remain evergreen, including the bamboo plants. 

What are the fast-growing evergreen hedge plants in the UK? Here we take a look at 6 evergreen, fastgrowing hedge plants. Bamboo, Green Leylandii, Photinia Red Robin, Western Red Cedar, Portuguese Laurel and Beech. 

 

6 fast-growing evergreen hedge plants

Most hedging plants are evergreen except Beech which loses its leaves in Autumn. 

The beech tree has tightly packed branches that still provide the hedging cover in Autumn and Winter, except for the greenery. 

Of the 6 plants, bamboo is the only grass variety among the fast-growing evergreen hedging plants.

Check out the YouGarden Collections of hedging plants. (Affiliate link)

Source: RHS, Woodland Trust, et all.

Tips for selecting the right hedging plants

(The article All you need to know about Selecting Bamboos for Hedging and Screening also provides additional information on the different bamboo plants. Check out the article linked)

Where to buy hedging?

We work with some big UK home and garden brands. 

Check out the links to go straight to their website where you can find out about the hedging plants we feature in this article.

• Phyllostachys Bamboo Plants     Crocus.co.uk
• Clump-forming Bamboos           YouGarden UK

Fast-growing evergreen hedge plants

We know that bamboos are among the 6 fast-growing hedge plants in the UK. 

They are at the top of the group of evergreen hedging plants and come in various shapes, sizes and colours. 

They will require some care and attention as they grow. 

If you want a quick hedge, bamboos are definitely a better option.