Bamboos are stunning garden plants, their gentle movements, rustling sounds of the leaves, evergreen foliage and colourful stems are some reasons they are popular.
One place to see the bamboo in all its beauty is the Japanese Bamboo Garden at Kew Royal Botanic Gardens in London.
The Bamboo Garden has an amazing collection of Chinese and Japanese bamboo. The garden holds over 130 different types of bamboo plants. In addition, the Tropical Glass House has three tropical giants.
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Chinese and Japanese bamboo gardens
Check out the images and videos of the 13 amazing bamboo plants we’ve recorded over the years.
Let’s begin with the three giant timber bamboos that are currently growing in Kew Tropical Glass House.
Giant Timber Bamboo (Gigantochloa verticillate)
The giant bamboo is one of the largest bamboo plants you can find in the UK.
It grows 25-30 metres in the wild, as tall as a tree.
This bamboo is native to Southeast Asia and New Guinea.
Buddha belly bamboo, also known as Bambusa ventricosa, is a type of bamboo species that is known for its distinctive swollen stem, which gives it its name. Here are some reasons why:
Water Conservation: Buddha belly bamboo is an excellent plant for water conservation because it has a high water-holding capacity. Its swollen stem allows it to store water for long periods, which helps the plant survive during periods of drought. This makes it an ideal plant for areas that receive low rainfall or have limited water resources.
Nutrient Conservation: The swollen stem of Buddha belly bamboo also plays an important role in nutrient conservation. The stem stores nutrients, which are used by the plant when it needs them. This helps the plant to survive in nutrient-poor soils and reduces the need for fertilizer applications.
Soil Conservation: The extensive root system of Buddha's belly bamboo helps to stabilize the soil and prevent erosion. The plant's roots can reach up to several meters deep, which helps to anchor the soil and prevent it from washing away during heavy rainfall or flooding.
The culms are deep dark green smooth and glossy with multiple branches growing at each node.
The giant tropical bamboo, Bambusa vulgaris or Common Bamboo, grows in Kew Tropical Glass House.
It’s an amazing bamboo with glossy green culms, large brown sheaths and hairy rims around the nodes.
This giant timber bamboo is predominantly used in building and construction or as stakes for large garden plants in rural China.
Bambusa vulgaris
Phyllostachys nigra ‘Henonis’ Black bamboo
This is a tall running bamboo with bright green stems that turn olive green.
It is one of the Black Bamboo cultivars.
Be careful not to confuse them with Phyllostachys bissettii.
They both have glossy green leaves, bright green stems and evergreen arching foliage.
However, looking closely at the matured stems, the Phyllostachys nigra f. henonis will show signs of olive-yellow canes whereas the Green Bamboo Phyllostachys bissettiicanes are obviously dark green, with yellow indentations or stripes.
Phyllostachys vivax aureosulcata Golden Yellow Chinese Timber Bamboo
Kew's Japanese Bamboo Garden London
Kew’s Bamboo Garden is the best place to see magnificent bamboo plants.
As mentioned, there are over 130 running and clumping bamboo plants.
The giant timber bamboo is about 20 metres tall, reaching the top ceiling of the glasshouse.
When you’re in Kew Gardens, this is definitely a must-see.
These 13 bamboos are our top picks. We hope you like the images and videos.
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Clumping bamboos do not have running rhizomes, instead, the roots are packed around the base forming a clumped base, hence the name clump-forming bamboo.
When separating the clumps, take care to preserve the parent plant.