Tall bamboo plants UK - How to Grow Them

The tall bamboos are an ideal option for a natural privacy hedge. 

These bamboos have thick foliage and are tall, best for screening unattractive features. 

Many gardeners and homeowners prefer garden bamboo hedges because they are fast-growing. 

The dense evergreen foliage, height, spread and hardiness give the garden and out spaces a natural green appearance all year round.

 

Tall bamboo plants for privacy hedging

At GardenBambooPlants, we feature over 70 running and clumping bamboos that you can grow in the garden or in pots. 

They come in different stem colours, sizes and heights. 

If you want a natural bamboo privacy hedge, check out these 5 tall running bamboos. They are 6m or more in height.

Upright, tall and large bamboos for privacy hedge

This category is an extension of the tall garden bamboo hedging screen listed above. 

Additionally, this extra list separates the tall and upright bamboo plants from the arching plants. 

Take it as an exclusive list of only the popular Phyllostachys running bamboo plants, except the clumping bamboo Standing Stone. 

As the name implies, upright bamboo plants tend to grow straight up. 

In fact, some can reach over 6 metres if the conditions are right

Many of the tall and upright bamboo plants do well when they are planted away from the direct wind, providing the best hedge screening all year round. 

Check out the bamboo for sale in the UK at crocus.co.uk.

How to grow tall bamboo plants

Here are three options for ensuring complete control over your garden hedging privacy screens.

• Build Raised-base: The raised base will help you to spot the rhizome tips and trim them before the tips creep into the small gaps in the pavement or the neighbour’s side.

• Dig narrow trench 0.3m to 0.5m deep: The running bamboo rhizomes tend to grow on the top layer of the soil. As the name implies, the rhizomes are running horizontally, not deep into the soil. A narrow trench will help you to monitor the rhizomes and trim them as they grow out. The narrow trench acts as an open root barrier.

• Plant the bamboo in large pots: If you are growing bamboo plants for balcony privacy screening, plant them in large pots or containers. This is the best way to contain the bamboo.

Guide for selecting the right garden bamboo hedging screen

So we have covered many tips and ideas and presented several suggestions for selecting bamboo for hedging garden screens. 

Here is the 'Guide' to help you make your decision! 

 Note that the questions are structured especially for you to eliminate the undesirable bamboo plants, leaving only the best option for you. 

Download the PDF version - Guide for Selecting Garden Hedging Bamboo.

Quick links to bamboo plants for privacy and hedging

So, what kind of bamboo is best for privacy? 

Depending on what you like, here are some suggestions of living bamboo plants for creating an ideal privacy space and garden hedge.

• Award Winners Best Features
• Bamboo plants for balcony privacy
• Small Bamboo Plants for Privacy 0.5m-4m
• Why are umbrella bamboos the best living privacy covers?
• Medium height bamboos for natural privacy screens 4-6 metres

Where to buy tall bamboo plants?

The tall bamboo plants are great for creating a tall living screen for privacy. 

They come in different sizes and colours, too. 

Here are reliable UK retailers that sell bamboo plants and get them delivered to you.

Tall bamboo privacy hedge

The tall bamboo plants are tall plants. They are a great option for tall privacy hedges.

Bamboo hedge plants UK

The running and clumping bamboos can grow from 0.5 to as high as 20 metres in the UK. 

Some garden hedges are just  2 - 4 metres in height, that is why you need to choose bamboo plants that grow to no more than 4 metres in height.

 If you want a tall hedge, this option will help. 

 

Medium bamboo privacy hedge 4 - 6m

Check out the list of five bamboo plants that can grow to a height of four metres to six metres. These plants are perfect for hedges.

The bamboo plants are chosen because they grow to no more than 6 metres in height.

The bamboo hedge plants are great options for privacy screening.

Bamboo plants, pictures and tips for bamboo hedges

Always plant the running bamboo where you have control over them when they are growing. 

As a rule of thumb, plant the hedging bamboo at least a metre away from your neighbour’s boundary if there is no raised structure or root barrier. This is an important space that will provide the access to the bamboo plants as they grow. 

Here is an article about ‘how to control the running bamboo plants’ from invading the neighbour’s side. 

It also provides more information on planting hedging bamboo near patios, pavements and houses.

Guide for selecting the right garden bamboo hedging screen

So we have covered many tips and ideas and presented several suggestions for selecting bamboo for hedging garden screens. 

This 'Guide' will help you make your decision! 

Note that the questions are structured especially for you to eliminate the undesirable bamboo plants, leaving only the best option for you. 

Download the PDF version - Guide for Selecting Garden Hedging Bamboo.

Quick links to bamboo plants for privacy and hedging

So, what kind of bamboo is best for privacy? 

Depending on what you like, here are some suggestions of living bamboo plants for creating an ideal privacy space and garden hedge.

• Award Winners Best Features
• Bamboo plants for balcony privacy
• Small Bamboo Plants for Privacy 0.5m-4m
• Tall bamboos for 6+ metres hedge and privacy
• Why are umbrella bamboos the best living privacy covers?

 Bamboo plants for sale

The bamboo plants are great for creating a living screen wall for privacy. 

They come in different heights, sizes and colours. 

Check out our website for the reliable UK retailers that sell bamboo plants and get them delivered to you.

Balcony Plants in Winter to Summer - Evergreen Bamboo Options

Bamboos are the best plants for balcony privacy. They are evergreen and are great plants for winter through to summer. 

They are undemanding and thrive in confined spaces. 

You can grow them and enjoy the greenery all year round.

Many Bamboo plants are tolerant to different soil types and conditions and that makes it easier to grow. 

Are bamboo plants suitable for balcony privacy?

Finding the best, even better the right, bamboo is what matters the most. 

Use your preferences, and what you expect of the bamboo and the table to find the right bamboo for garden screening.

Other factors to consider are, for example, how high the bamboo should grow and how much space is available for it to spread. 

These important factors have been included in this article, so you will not go wrong when selecting bamboo for balcony privacy. 

Furthermore, growing bamboo on the hedge as a privacy screen means that you will have to plant the bamboo close to the neighbour’s side. 

All these risk-benefit analyses are important as you choose bamboo for your garden.
 

Best bamboo plants for balcony privacy

Bamboo plants are a great option because there are many different kinds of bamboos. 

 Here are 5 reasons why bamboos are the best plants for balcony privacy:

• Undemanding plants.
• Evergreen and hardy.
• Grow well in confined spaces.
• Thrive in large pots and containers.
• Grow only to a certain height and form an umbrella or arch shape.

Bamboo balcony plants grow are hardy and can withstand low winter temperatures. They do not lose their leaves in autumn, in spring new shoots grow very, and in summer they grow to their maximum height very fast.

They are hardy species, for pictures and other tips, check out this link - bamboo plants for balconies 

 

Quick links to bamboo plants for privacy and hedging

So, what kind of bamboo is best for privacy? 

Depending on what you like, here are some suggestions of living bamboo plants for creating an ideal privacy space.

• Award Winners Best Features
• Tall bamboos for 6+ metres hedge and privacy
• Short to medium height bamboo plants 0.5-4 metres
• Why are umbrella bamboos the best living privacy covers?
• Medium height bamboos for natural privacy screens 4-6 metres

Guide to selecting bamboo plants for privacy

This guide contains tips and ideas for selecting bamboo for hedging and privacy screening. 

In fact, this article is part of the guide. You can download the PDF file - very helpful when selecting bamboos. 

The questions are structured especially for you to eliminate the undesirable bamboo plants, leaving only the best option for you. 

Download the PDF version - Guide for Selecting Garden Hedging Bamboo.

Where to buy bamboo pot plants?

Bamboo plants are great for creating a living screen wall for privacy. 

They come in different heights, sizes and colours. 

Here are reliable UK retailers that sell bamboo plants and get them delivered to you.

The bamboo plants are great options for living balcony screens - they provide natural greenery as well as cover from unsightly features.

Bamboo balcony plants are hardy, they do not lose their leaves in Autumn and survive in winter pretty well. In spring new shoots grow. 

They are one of the 'hardy' evergreen plants.

How to grow invasive bamboo plants in the garden - top tips

The running bamboos have rhizomes that grow away from the parent plants. That is why they are often referred to as invasive bamboos. 

The clump-forming bamboo plants are non-invasive. As the name implies, the rhizomes are compact at the base, forming clumps. 

You can grow both varieties and enjoy them. 

There is no need to worry if you grow them right. Find out how to grow running bamboos without worrying about their invasiveness.

How to grow running bamboos in the garden

You can grow running (invasive) bamboo plants in the garden, such as hedges, privacy screens, pot and container bamboos, bamboo for sticks and balcony screens. 

There are hundreds of bamboo plants that grow well in the UK. 

Each bamboo is suitable for gardens and can be used for different purposes. 

Take a look at the 5 best running bamboo plants to grow in the garden.

 

Planning before planting bamboos

The running bamboo can be a concern because of the potential impacts on the other structures. 

Here at gardenbambooplants.com, we advocate for planning before planting. 

This means taking two actions. 

Firstly, survey the nearby site. The initial survey does not have to take longer than 10 minutes. Yet, it is important to control the bamboo from the start. So, find out

• what is near the potential bamboo site;
• what are the likely impacts on the built environment; and
• whether it’s necessary to grow running bamboo there.

Secondly, use a root barrier. Regardless of where you are going to grow the running bamboo plants, a root barrier is vital to spreading. 

Take precautions when growing running bamboo

The steps above will stop the running bamboo plants from invading the built areas or neighbours' gardens. 

 Survey the garden site and use root barriers before planting. Do not grow the running bamboo close to the paths and buildings. 

As a rule of thumb, grow the running bamboo at least 5 metres away from any built area. Another option is to grow the running bamboos in large heavy-duty pots. The pots will act as barriers so that there is no need to spend extra money on root barriers. 

Also, you can move the pots and place them wherever you want. The disadvantage is that you may have to re-pot the plants every 5 or 10 years. 

Not bad because it’s less work than digging up the running bamboo rhizomes in the garden. 

 

Where to buy running bamboo in the UK?

Your nearest garden centres will have supplies of running bamboo plants. 

Ask for the features and growth requirements, and what you expect of the plant. 

Get their professional opinion on what to do to stop the bamboo from invading other built areas. 

Many labels on the running bamboo plants do not have a warning on them. 

So make sure to find out how far the running bamboo is likely to spread.

Check out the award-winning bamboo plants and where to buy them.

 

Evergreen running bamboo plants

The running bamboo plants are best for garden hedges and privacy screens. 

Golden Yellow Bamboo and Bamboo Vivax are stunning standalone plants. 

These bamboo plants grow fast and provide evergreen cover all year round. To enjoy them, take precautions, use root barriers or grow them in pots.

What running bamboo plants to grow?

Running bamboo plants are invasive. They spread.

Always use a bamboo root barrier when growing them in the garden. 

 See the top 5 running bamboo you can grow based on popularity and gardeners' preferences.

 

What running bamboo plants can you grow in the UK?

Bamboos are fast-growing hedge and privacy screen plants. 

Yet their invasiveness is a concern. Here are the control measures worth repeating.

• Survey the area before planting running bamboos;
• Use bamboo root barriers.
• Plant bamboos in large heavy-duty pots.

Bamboo plants for sale in the UK

Top 5 running bamboo to plant in the garden

Based on the popularity and gardeners' preferences, here are the top 5 running bamboo plants you can grow in the garden. (Get more information via the links)

• 1) Phyllostachys Aurea (Fishpole bamboo) – Tall, slim and tough bamboos, ideal for garden sticks. If you want a good supply of bamboo sticks to use in the garden, this is the best bamboo.

• 2) Phyllostachys Bissettii (Green Bamboo): tall culms and long, dark green leaves, dense evergreen foliage. A fantastic bamboo for the border hedge or privacy screen.

• 3) Phyllostachy Areosulcata 'Spectabilis' (Golden Groove Bamboo) – spectacular culms, ideal for the driveway, or tall hedge and privacy screens. It’s also great as an individual plant, plant it where you can see the colours (yellow and green stripes) all year round.

• 4) Phyllostachys vivax aureocaulis (Golden Chinese Timber Bamboo) – similar to Phyllostachys aureosulcata 'Spectabilis', but bigger and taller. This timber bamboo has yellow and stunning green stripes. Best for thick privacy screens.

• 5) Bamboo Phyllostachys Sulphurea Viridis (Ougon-kou Chiku Bamboo) - is a stunning ornamental plant due to its appearance. At 4m average height, this bamboo is a great addition to woodland forests, large gardens and dense garden hedges. It is edible bamboo. Very invasive.

Check out the award-winning bamboo plants and where to buy them.

Red, yellow and black bamboo plants

Bamboos come in many different colours, sizes and shapes. Bamboo gardeners know that there is always the right bamboo for every garden. 

The 5 bamboos above are yellow and green bamboos. 

You can also find out about the stunning red bamboo and black bamboo via the links.

FEATURED: Phyllostachys rubromarginata, (also called the Reddish Bamboo or Red Margin Bamboo) has a rather reddish colour of the new shoots. This running bamboo is tall and upright. It tends to spread very quickly, ideal for tall hedges and quick natural privacy screens.

What to do when bamboo invades other spaces?

It will cost you a lot of money, time and effort to bring them under control later. If your garden bamboo invades other sections or the neighbour’s side, you’ll have to act fast. 

An effective way to remove running bamboo rhizomes is to dig them up completely. Uprooting bamboo plants is hard work because the rhizomes are tough. 

But the underground parts do not grow deep, they are often found on the top 30 – 50 cm layer of the soil. To remove the bamboo rhizomes, dig around the plants to get an idea about how far they’ve grown. 

Then, use a pickaxe and crew bar to remove small sections until all is done. 

Alternatively, dig around the plants and put in root barriers. 

Take a look at how we managed to bring our running bamboo plants under control in this YouTube video. 

Related article here – Tools You’ll Need to Remove Running Bamboo Rhizomes. 

What Variegated Clumping Bamboo Plants to Grow?

Variegated bamboos come in different forms. Some are running while others are clumping bamboos. 

In this article, we list 5 variegated clumping bamboo plants that grow well in the UK. 

We arrange the bamboos by culms and leaves variegation to make it easy for our readers to identify them.

Check out the 25 stunning collections of clumping and running bamboo plants

Quick facts about variegated bamboos

This group of special bamboo plants have two features in common. 

The leaves and culms have either distinct stripes or spots. They are standout plants for pots and planters or grown as individual plants in the garden.

• Great pot and garden plants.
• Can be either running or clumping.
• Have either culms or leaves variegation.
• Come in various sizes, shapes and colours.
• Have white, green, yellow, or various stripes on leaves and culms.

5 Clumping variegated bamboo plants UK

Clumping variegated bamboos grow well in the garden and pots. 

These bamboos require care and attention just like the running bamboos but are less invasive. The dwarf variegated bamboo tolerates shades and is ideal for undercover plants. 

Here are some common features you should know about the variegated bamboo plants.

1. Sasa Veitchii - variegated bamboo

This clumping variegated bamboo has very large leaves. 

The leaves turn white as autumn falls, giving them a striking variegated appearance. 

It is non-invasive, a great shade plant that can grow to a height of metres. (Sasa Veitchi bamboo has white stripes along the leaves)

2. Bambusa multiplex Alphonso-Kar

Also called the Alphonso-Kar Bamboo. This clumping variegated bamboo has fine green stripes that contrast beautifully with its yellow culms. 

This variegated bamboo is reasonably large at 3 metres in height, ideal pot plants for balconies and patios. (The Alphonso-Kar bamboo has green stripes along the culms)

3. Arundinaria viridistriata ‘Pleioblastus’

A beautiful dwarf bamboo with variegated leaves, a desirable garden and a pot plant. 

It has eye-catching bright yellow stripes on green leaves. This clumping bamboo can grow to 2 metres - an ideal bamboo for large pots. 

Grow it in a central location where you can enjoy its beauty, such as near the driveways and patios. (Arundinaria v. 'Pleoplastus' has yellow stripes along the leaves)

4. Pleioblastus variegatus - variegated bamboo

Also called the White Stripe Bamboo or dwarf bamboo. 

It grows to less than 1 metre tall and has spectacular white stripes on the green variegated leaves. 

This clumping bamboo is a great undercover plant, also grows well in pots and prefers shape to part shaded sites. (Pleioblastus variegatus has stripes along with the leaves)

5. Fargesia Robusta Pingwu

A thick foliage clumping bamboo with variegated culms that are upright, turning green to yellow when mature. 

An ideal bamboo for containers and planters. 

This clumping bamboo is also used for privacy screening and garden hedging due to its thick foliage. (Fargesia Robusta Pingwu has green/yellow stripes along the culms)

Growing variegated bamboo plants

The variegated bamboos add colour and statement where they grow. 

They contrast beautifully with natural garden colours. For example, the white stripes of Pleioblastus variegatus will match the green undergrowth. 

So, pick the right colour that contrasts well with the colours in the garden. 

A better way to choose the right colour is to start with the list of bamboos in this article.

• Take a look at the stripy colours of the culms and leaves from the 10 running and clumping variegated bamboos.
• Match the colours to the colours of your garden, patio, balcony, porch, planter, etc.
• Then, choose the right bamboo that you think is best for your garden.

Crocus is a UK retailer that supplies variegated bamboos.

Running vs clumping bamboos, UK

We collected data for over 70 running and clumping bamboos that grow well in the UK climate at gardenbambooplants.com.

We advocate for using roots (rhizomes) barriers when planting running bamboos. That way, you do not have to worry about bamboo invasion.

Clumping bamboos are non-invasive. 

They are best grown as garden centrepieces or near built areas. But keep in mind that these bamboos need pruning and thinning to keep them in shape.

Variegated clumping bamboo plants UK

Variegated bamboos are spectacular garden and pot plants. Their culms and leaves have stripes ( or spots) that contrast with natural colours. 

These bamboos are ideal as standalone or undercover plants. 

You can find them as either running or clumping bamboos. 

We hope that this article gives you an idea about the variegated bamboo plants. 

If you want to grow them in the garden or in pots, check out crocus.co.uk.

 

What Variegated Running Bamboo to Grow?

Variegated bamboos come in different forms. Some are running while others are clumping bamboos. 

In this article, we list 5 variegated running bamboo plants that grow well in the UK. 

We arrange the bamboos by culms and leaves variegation to make it easy for our readers to identify them.

Quick facts about variegated bamboos

This group of special bamboo plants have two features in common. 

The leaves and culms have either distinct stripes or spots. 

They are standout plants for pots and planters or grown as individual plants in the garden.

• Great pot and garden plants.
• Can be either running or clumping.
• Have either culms or leaves variegation.
• Come in various sizes, shapes and colours.
• Have white, green, yellow, or various stripes on leaves and culms.

Running variegated bamboo plants to grow

Gardeners love some colours in their garden. The running variegated bamboo plants bring both colour and style.

Variegated culm (stems) - some have variegated leaves.

The running variegated bamboo plants are spectacular individual plants. 

They also make great pot plants, best grown where you can see them. Especially near driveways and walkways.

1. Phyllostachys aureosulcata ‘spectabilis’

Also called the ‘Showy Golden Bamboo Grove 'Spectabilis'. It is a large running bamboo with new pinkish bamboo shoots. 

The culms are thick and zigzag with stunning vertical green stripes. (‘Showy Golden Bamboo Grove 'Spectabilis' has green stripes along the culms)

2. Phyllostachys aureosulcata ‘aureocaulis’

Also called the Golden Yellow Bamboo Grove 'Aureocaulis'. 

It is an average size bamboo with reddish new bamboo shoots. 

The culms are golden yellow with green variegated rims near the nodes. (The Golden Yellow Bamboo Grove has yellow rims around the culm nodes)

3. Phyllostachys aureosulcata vivax

Also called the Golden Chinese Timber Bamboo, Golden Cane Bamboo. 

This running variegated bamboo has spectacular green stripes contrasted with the yellow culms. (The Golden Chinese Timber Bamboo has green stripes along the culms)

4. Hibanobambusa tranquillans ‘Shiroshima’

A running variegated bamboo with large leaves and slow-spreading rhizomes. 

One of the few running bamboos with stunning yellow leaf variegation. (Shiroshima has yellow stripes along the leaves)

5. Phyllostachys nigra ‘Boryana’

A stunning Phyllostachys nigra bamboo is also called Tiger Bamboo or simply ‘Bory’. 

It has upright tall stems with distinctive brownish-black spots, hence the name Tiger Bamboo, spots on culms.

Check out the 25 stunning images of these bamboo plants.

Warning: Always use a roots barrier or large heavy-duty pots to grow these bamboo plants. Read about the best ways to grow running bamboo plants for privacy screening and garden hedging.

Growing variegated bamboo plants

The variegated bamboos add colour and statement where they grow. 

They contrast beautifully with natural garden colours. For example, the white stripes of Pleioblastus variegatus will match the green undergrowth. 

So, pick the right colour that contrasts well with the colours in the garden. 

A better way to choose the right colour is to start with the list of bamboos in this article.

• Take a look at the stripy colours of the culms and leaves from the 10 running and clumping variegated bamboos.
• Match the colours to the colours of your garden, patio, balcony, porch, planter, etc.
• Then, choose the right bamboo that you think is best for your garden.

Crocus is a UK retailer that supplies variegated bamboos.

Running vs clumping bamboos, UK

We collected data for over 70 running and clumping bamboos that grow well in the UK climate at gardenbambooplants.com 

We advocate for using roots (rhizomes) barriers when planting running bamboos. That way, you do not have to worry about bamboo invasion. 

Clumping bamboos are non-invasive. They are best grown as garden centrepieces or near built areas. 

But keep in mind that these bamboos need pruning and thinning to keep them in shape.

Variegated bamboo plants UK

Variegated bamboos are spectacular garden and pot plants. 

Their culms and leaves have stripes ( or spots) that contrast with natural colours. These bamboos are ideal as standalone or undercover plants. 

You can find them as either running or clumping bamboos. 

We hope that this article gives you an idea about the variegated bamboo plants. 

If you want to grow them in the garden or in pots, check out crocus.co.uk.

 

Screening bamboo plants in Pots

Bamboo plants are perennial evergreen grass. They add an oriental touch to the garden all year round. 

Bamboo screens are great for garden designs and landscaping. Here is a list of the best screening bamboo plants that come in pots.

Running vs. clumping bamboo plants

The amazing bamboos come in two main forms: running and clump-forming. They thrive in the UK climate. 

They are great for privacy screening, hedging, growing in pots and containers, or adding a unique focal point to your garden.

Check out the list of top UK Home & Garden suppliers to buy bamboo plants for screening

Clump-forming bamboo plants for screen

The dense evergreen foliage of clump-forming bamboo plants provides the best natural privacy screens for homes and gardens in the UK.

The Fargesias, especially the Umbrella Bamboo, are fantastic screening plants. 

They come in large heavy pots. But, you can get them in smaller pots that are easily delivered to you. Also, it is important to pick the right bamboo for the privacy screen.

The medium to large bamboo is best for screening or partitioning sections of gardens. 

Here are two that are better suited for privacy screens.

Seabreeze bamboo Bambusa Malingensis: 

The Seabreeze Bamboo (Bambusa Malingensis) is medium-large sized and is the popular bamboo for privacy fences and screens. 

Seabreeze bamboos are effective screens because they have lots of secondary branches with thick foliage from bottom to top.

Slender-clump bamboo Textilis Gracilis: 

Also called Bambusa Textilis Gracilis, it is the best bamboo plant for hedges and privacy screening. 

This bamboo is popular fence screening bamboo or hedging bamboo plants.

YouGarden UK has a great collection of medium to large bamboos. Check out the Running and Clumping bamboos for sale in the UK.

 Buy clumping bamboo in pots

Clump-forming bamboo plants grow slowly and do not spread quickly like running bamboo. 

That's because the clumping bamboo roots are confined to the base of the plant, forming a clump. Hence, they are called the 'clump-forming' bamboo plants.

You can buy clumping bamboo in pots online or at your local garden centre.

Here are the best clump-forming bamboo plants for screening.

Umbrella bamboo Simba: 

The Fargesia murielae Simba is a tough and small bamboo plant. 'Simba' is an ornamental clump-forming bamboo that is best for smaller gardens, pots and containers.

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.

At GBP blog, we list over 20 clumping bamboo plants, check out the archive here.

Tall bamboo screen for pots and gardens

Some varieties of Clump-forming bamboo plants are ideal for creating a beautiful centrepiece in your garden, the rhizomes (roots) grow in compact non-invasive clusters around the parent plant.

There are as many as 10,000 varieties and 1,700 varieties growing in the UK.

According to our research, bamboo plants with black and yellow stems are popular screens in the UK.

Black Bamboo UK: 

The black stemmed Phyllostachys nigra is a much sought-after feature of bamboo plants in many UK gardens. This bamboo is a beauty.

Yellow Bamboo UK: 

Phyllostachys vivax Aureocaulis is an attractive tall plant. Its spectacular yellow stripe against the green bamboo cane makes it stands out anywhere in the garden, ideal for tall privacy screens.

It is an absolute show-stopper.

Always use a root barrier when growing running bamboo in the garden, so that it does not invade other spaces.

Also, grow the Phyllostachys bamboos in big garden pots before and put them on the patio or in the garden.

Buy screening bamboo plants in Pots

We list the suppliers of bamboo plants, here. 

They are renowned UK Gardens Shops where you can get your bamboo plants, supplies and accessories from.

5 Phyllostachys Bamboo for Shade

 The two common types of bamboo plants are clumping bamboo and running bamboo. Each variety has more than 20 varieties that grow well in the UK. 

Garden Bamboo Plants online archive contains a comprehensive collection of these bamboo plants. 

Discover over 100 bamboo collections at the GBP blog (Fargesia & Phyllostachys) and GBP website (Fargesia & Phyllostachys).

The top 5 running bamboo plants according to popularity are listed below.

Pleioblastus viridistriatus [Small variegated bamboo, best for low hedges]

 

How to know the bamboo that is suitable for you

To know the bamboo that is suitable for you, it is important to know the different varieties. Many bamboos are invasive, others prefer shade and are better suited to pots and containers, whereas some are best as outdoor plants.

Here are five Phyllostachys bamboo plants that are ideal for growing in gardens and pots, all year round in the UK. (Note: We identified these bamboos based on the number of Google search interests).

5 stunning Phyllostachys bamboo plants

Phyllostachys vivax Aureocaulis

Also called the Golden Chinese Timber Bamboo is a pretty impressive Phyllostachys bamboo you can grow in the UK. 

Its peculiar yellow canes change colours from bright yellow to golden yellow with lustrous green stripes.

Pleioblastus viridistriatus 

This variegated bamboo is a fast-growing, dwarf-Phyllostachys bamboo with green stripes. 

This hardy small ornamental bamboo grows to a maximum of a metre. Ideal for sun, part shade and shaded locations.

Phyllostachys flexuosa 

Also called the Sinuate Bamboo is an evergreen, Phyllostachys bamboo with arching leaves and short stems.

It grows up to 2 metres in height and tolerates shade, part-shade and sun. 

It will grow well in pots and containers, however, it may require repotting after 2 – 3 years.

Semiarundinaria fastuosa 

Also called the Narihira Bamboo is a running bamboo that can grow up to 7m in height and spread over a diameter of 3 – 4m in its natural habitat. 

Grow in pots and containers to contain spreading. It requires repotting after 2 – 4 years. 

It has long stems and thick foliage, ideal for privacy screening.

Sasa veitchii (Kuma-zasa) 

Sasa has broad leaves and small plants with running rhizomes. It grows well in heavily shaded areas. 

Its compact size makes them a good choice for growing in pots and containers but beware that the running roots spread quite fast. 

Use large pots and root barriers to grow this bamboo.

Phyllostachys bamboo for sale UK

 Bamboo root barrier, UK

Some varieties of Phyllostachys bamboo can also grow perfectly in shade and in pots and containers. 

However, most Phyllostachys running bamboo plants are tall and their rhizomes spread far and wide.

Use large pots and containers when growing them. Also, avoid putting the tall bamboo in windy locations.

We hope this article inspires you to grow your own Bamboo plant in the garden and enjoy the beauty of this amazing plant.