Clumping bamboo and running bamboo are members of the grass family. There are several varieties of bamboo plants.
Bamboo plants are common in the temperate and tropical zones mainly in Asia, Central and South America and the Pacific region.
The plants growing in the UK, US and Australia are either clumping bamboo or running bamboo. Sometimes referred to as clumpers or runners, respectively.
5 distinct parts of a clumping bamboo
Identifying the exact bamboo can be difficult unless you have enough time, and botanical knowledge and are curious to find out.
Also, it can be tricky to identify bamboo by its appearance.
The 5 distinct parts will help you work out if the bamboo is a clumper or not.
Use this diagram to help you.
Clumping bamboo parts showing rhizome, shoot, culm base, Base buds, nodes etc.
Rhizome: The rhizome is short, stout and thick forming a tight clump around the parent plant.
Shoot and culm: New rhizome grows upright into a new shoot which eventually becomes culm close to the parent bamboo.
Culm base: The culm base, also called the stem base, is much thicker, at the bottom, than the culm.
Base buds: The base buds (the potential new shoots and rhizomes) are found very close together along the parent rhizome.
Rhizome nodes: The node rings (or rhizome nodes) underground are close together.
All in all, the bamboo rhizomes and underground parts are vital for separating bamboo into groups.
So, take a closer look at the rhizome of bamboo if you want to work out if it is clumping or running bamboo.
How to identify clumping bamboo?
Comparing clumping and running bamboos can give you a better idea about these two varieties.
If they still do not have the clumping bamboo that you want, contact them directly. In most cases, they will find what you are looking for.
Grow clump-forming bamboo plants
The 5 parts will help you to identify these bamboos successfully.
The parts are based around the rhizomes and govern the way these bamboos behave.
Knowing the parts and their general behaviours can help you work out if your bamboo is clump-forming or not.
If you have any questions or cannot find what you are looking for, leave a comment and we will get back to you. You can also follow us on Twitterand YouTube.
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.
Phyllostachys nigra black bamboo, commonly called the Black Bamboo, is an invasive bamboo but also behaves like a clumping bamboo in a cooler climate.
This running bamboo can spread quickly if left unchecked. Such occurrence shows that some of the common bamboo species can be tricky to identify if you do not pay close attention to the rhizome formations.
It is difficult to tell running bamboo from the clumping bamboo just by looking at its appearance. The best way to identify bamboo is by closer inspection. Check out the two articles to help you identify bamboos like a pro:
Comparing running and clumping bamboos can give you a better idea about these two varieties.
However, it is also best to know their standout features. So, what is running bamboo and how can bamboo growers identify it?
Generally, a running bamboo has ‘running rhizomes’. The rhizomes are underground stems that grow (or run) along the ground, hence the name running bamboos or runners.
It is quite challenging to identify the exact type of running bamboo unless you have enough time, botanical knowledge and are curious to find out.
Also, it can be tricky to identify most of the bamboo cultivars by their appearances.
To help you, here are 5 rhizome facts for beginners to use when selecting a running bamboo or identifying them.
The Phyllostachys nigra Black Bamboo, though an invasive bamboo, can also behave like clumping bamboo in the cooler temperate area of the UK, US, Canada and Australia.
Like other running bamboos, the Black Bamboo can spread quickly if left unchecked.
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.
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)
Some of our visitors suggested we create a list of bamboos that have similar features to Fargesia murielae ‘Dino’.
We feel that this is a great suggestion because it makes it easier to cross-reference these bamboos when making comparisons.
As mentioned here, Fargesia murielae ‘Dino’ is a great bamboo for shaded sites.
So, we are listing 3 bamboos that are similar to the Fargesia murielae ‘Dino’.
The similarities are based on 5 important factors: they are clumping and have similar mature height, foliage, hardiness and use. Above all, these plants are shade-loving.
Fargesia murielae 'Dino' is a fantastic clumping bamboo plant, hardy and shade tolerant.
It has bright green stems turning yellow-green as it matures an excellent bamboo for planting in pots and containers, rarely reaching any more than 5 metres in height.
This clumping bamboo will thrive in most situations, but preferably in well-drained moist soil. Tolerant of shade and a very reliable clumping bamboo.
General description
Name: Fargesia murielae ‘Dino, Bambus Dino
Foliage: Evergreen, upright.
Culm: light green with shiny brown sheath, turning yellow.
Height: 3 – 5m.
Spread: 0.5 – 2m, clump-forming.
Growth requirement
Site: Full sun, part shade and shade.
Soil: Well-drained moist soil.
Moisture: Well-drained and moist.
Hardiness: Fully hardy bamboo.
Use: ornamental plant, pots and containers, landscaping, architecture, individual plant.
Where to buy Fargesia murielae 'Dino'?
We feature prominent UK Home and Garden retailers where you can buy bamboo plants, tools and products.
Fargesia murielae ‘Dino’ is a tough plant it will thrive in contained spaces where conditions are suitable.
This bamboo is great as a windshield or as a privacy screen for apartments or terraces.
Water well and ensure the soil remains moist until the new bamboo plants are well established in the pots or containers.
Grow in the garden
This clumping bamboo is a standout in the garden due to its long culms, pointy tips and brown shiny sheaths.
Unmistakable among other vegetation and plants in the garden, Dino is a great ornamental bamboo with its evergreen foliage.
This bamboo is also a good addition as either a garden centrepiece or decoration.
Propagate clumping bamboo ‘Dino’
This clumping bamboo is best propagated by clump-base separation.
Other techniques for growing such bamboo plants include stem cuttings and air layering of the branches.
Maintain Fargesia murielae ‘Dino’
Bamboos, like other plants, will require attention to grow well.
The care tips will help your Fargesia murielae ‘Dino’ remain healthy.
In this other article, we provide a detailed guide to Bamboo Care and Maintenance, it gives further details on Before and After Care.
Thinning & Pruning
Trim the old culms to promote new healthy growth.
Also, trim the new shoots to control the clumping bamboo Dino from expanding, often done once or twice a year to keep the plant under control.
Pruning bamboo is intensive work compared to thinning bamboo.
Dig and remove the parts of the bamboo that have outgrown the allocated space, also an ideal time to take the bamboo divisions for replanting.
Often done after 4 or 5 years.
Mulch
Mulching is a highly recommended care and maintenance job to keep the soil moist and protect the bamboo from frost and frozen soils.
Always use the bamboo leaves as mulch since they contain silicon which is naturally high in nitrogen.
Organic mulch such as tree barks, and grass cuttings mixed with twigs and branches are also great bamboo mulch.
The best time for mulching is early in Spring before the new bamboo shoots come out; or late in Autumn when you expect cold Winter.
Maintain Fargesia murielae ‘Dino’ in Shade
The clump formers are non-invasive bamboos, however, clumpers in pots and containers will require repotting after 4 or 5 years.
It is often hard work removing the bamboos from a pot or container when they’ve filled out the space.
Perhaps it is important to select the right pots before planting your bamboo plants.
The best pots for planting bamboos have stable bases and opened tops - here is a Guide to Selecting the Right Potfor planting the Running and Clumping Bamboos.
Also, the clumping bamboos in the garden do not grow out of the allocated space as the running bamboos do. Nevertheless, they tend to expand around the base.
This clumping habit is visible as the new shoots grow into culms and the underground base buds thicken.
In such cases, you’ll have to prune the whole plant which is also the ideal time to get new plant divisions and bamboo sticks.
Fargesia murielae Dino shade-loving bamboo
All in all, the Fargesia murielae ‘Dino’ is a stunning bamboo to grow in pots or use as landscaping and architectural plants in the garden.
It is one of the best bamboo plants to grow in full shaded sites.
Clumping bamboo plants are low-maintenance plants. They do not spread from the parent plants.
Here is a quick tip on how to propagate and grow clumping bamboo plants.
Propagate clumping bamboo ‘Red Zebra’
This clumping bamboo grows well by clump-base division. It can take 4 – 5 years before this bamboo requires some sort of clump division.
The bamboo’s clump base will expand and cover the spaces where you plant them.
You can also get more plants when they’ve matured.
To propagate new Red Zebra bamboos, separate the bamboo into several divisions and grow them in propagation pots before planting them into holding pots or straight into the garden.
This video shows how we propagate propagating using the three different techniques.
Grow clumping bamboo in containers and barriers
Fargesia murielae ‘Red Zebra’ is a tough bamboo, it will thrive in contained spaces where conditions are suitable.
Its height and spread make it a perfect plant for growing in pots and containers, ideal for making a statement in the front entryway like the driveway, porch or veranda.
Newly planted Red Zebra bamboo will require a good amount of water well.
Also, ensure that the soil remains moist but well-drained until the new plants are rooting.
Fargesia murielae Red Zebra bamboo ideal pot plant
To make the work lighter, always select the right pots before planting your bamboo plants.
The best pots for planting bamboos have stable bases and wide tops. Note that it is often hard work to remove the bamboo when they’ve filled out the contained space.
Here is a Guide to Selecting the Right Pot for planting running and clumping bamboo. Watch the video and find out the best way to grow bamboo plants in the UK.
Fargesia murielae 'Red Zebra' bamboo is an attractive small clumping bamboo with deep dark red matured culm and evergreen foliage.
The Red Zebra is a standout ornament bamboo.
The new shoots and sheaths are covered in variable patterns of purplish-brown tints against the green cluster of leaves and gives Red Zebra bamboo its stunning look.
The intensity of red in matured stems also adds to the distinct appearance that is similar to popular black running and clumping bamboos.
General description
Name: Fargesia murielae Red Zebra, Umbrella Bamboo Red Zebra
Culm: Upright, purplish tints, culm matures to deep dark red.
Height: 2 - 3m. Spread: 1 - 2m, clump-forming.
Foliage: Evergreen, leaves can be pruned.
Growth requirement
Hardiness: Fully hardy bamboo.
Site: Full sun, part shade and shade.
Soil: Loose nutrient-rich soil or loam, well-drained and moist
Bamboos, like other plants, will require attention to grow well. Mature clumping bamboo Fargesia murielae ‘Blue Lizard’ will stay healthy if you check the shoots and add mulch.
Bamboos are tolerant to pests and diseases in the UK, however, slugs adore the new shoots and leaves.
If you a planting a new Fargesia murielae ‘Blue Lizard’ or expecting fresh growth in Spring, always add Slug and Snail Pellets to protect them.
Recently, we've seen the new shoots of the cultivated Chinese Yellow Bamboo being eaten by an animal, but we are yet to establish what is actually eating them.
Mulch
Mulching is a highly recommended care and maintenance job. It will keep the soil moist and protect the bamboo from frost and frozen soils.
Always use the bamboo leaves as mulch since they contain silicon which is naturally high in nitrogen.
Organic mulch such as tree barks, and grass cuttings mixed with twigs and branches are also great bamboo mulch.
The best time for mulching is early in Spring before the new bamboo shoots come out; or late in Autumn when you expect cold Winter.
Bamboos with foliage like ‘Blue Lizard ’ clumping bamboo
Some of our visitors suggested that we create a list of bamboos that have similar features to the bamboos we are featuring in each article.
We feel that this is a great suggestion because it makes it easier to cross-reference these bamboos when making comparisons.
We are listing 5 bamboos that are similar to the Fargesia murielae ‘Blue Lizard’. The similarities are based on 5 important factors: the type (either running or clumping), height, foliage, hardiness and use.
Fargesia murielae 'Ivory Ibis ' is a clump-forming umbrella bamboo. This bamboo is a standout, it has upright dense culms and ivory evergreen foliage.
It is an ideal choice for a formidable natural hedge or privacy screen.
Bamboo Ivory Ibis is an undemanding bamboo hardy to -25 degrees Celsius and can also tolerate prolonged dry periods. Excellent bamboo for pots and containers, too.
Ivory Ibis bamboo is an ideal plant for privacy screening apartments, balconies, porches or any small outdoor place.
It is also an ideal hedge plant in the garden because you can prune the leaves and new shoots.
You can get more information on bamboo plants, tools and natural bamboo products from the renowned UK Home and Garden retailers we work with.
5 Fargesia murielae bamboos similar to ‘Ivory Ibis’
Finding this bamboo at the local nursery or garden centre can be hard, therefore we provide 5 alternative bamboos that are similar to the ‘Ivory Ibis’.
The similarities are based on 5 important factors: Fargesia bamboo, similar height, similar foliage, and similar hardiness and can be used as a hedging screen.
These bamboos received the RHS Merit Award in the UK and other Bamboo Awards for their notable garden features.
If you are having difficulty selecting bamboo, this group of bamboo plants will not disappoint you.
Working with bamboos
The clumping bamboo plants such as the 'Ivory Ibis' are non-invasive bamboos, however, clumpers in pots and containers will require repotting after 4 or 5 years.
Many bamboo growers will attest to the fact that it is often hard work removing the bamboo from a pot or container when they’ve filled out the space.
To make the work lighter, always select the right pots before planting your bamboo plants.
The Fargesia group of bamboos are generally well-behaved, however, the underground bamboo parts expand around the base.
This clumping habit is visible as the new shoots grow into culms and the underground base buds thicken.
The culms of the Ivory Ibis will definitely require thinning and pruning after the first 3 years because of their dense culm clusters.
This is the ideal time to prune the whole plant and get new plant divisions and bamboo sticks.
Examples of bamboo sticks in use in pots and patio
Fargesia murielae Ivory Ibis
All in all, the Fargesia murielae ‘Ivory Ibis’ is an excellent bamboo for hedging and privacy screens.
Its dense upright culms and thick foliage are the perfect features for creating a natural dense cover.
At G.B.P, our goal is to provide the right information for selecting the right bamboo to grow in the garden and in pots and containers.
Based on our experience, we also offer bamboo growers’’ tips and guides on how to provide the right care and maintenance for bamboo plants.
Phyllostachys rubromarginata is also called the Reddish Bamboo or Red Margin Bamboo because of the reddish colour of the new shoots.
This running bamboo is tall and upright, fast-spreading bamboo. It is ideal for tall hedges and quick natural privacy screens.
The Reddish Bamboo is hardy to -20 degrees Celsius making it one of the cold-tolerant Phyllostachys bamboos to grow in the cold Winter areas of the UK and US.
The stunning new reddish shoots are a standout feature. Definitely requires root barriers or elevated beds to contain it from spreading.
Bamboo Phyllostachys Sulphurea Viridis: This running bamboo is also known as the Ougon-kou Chiku or Kou-Chiku bamboo.
There are two types Robert Young and Houzeua.
Their culms are green and yellow. The former (Robert Young) has yellow culms with green vertical stripes whereas the latter (Houzeau) is green with contrasting yellow stripes.
Phyllostachys Sulphurea Viridis 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.
Phyllostachys Sulphurea Viridis can grow to 4 metres, an ideal bamboo for woodlands or large gardens.
This evergreen bamboo is better planted in a site where visitors can admire the contrasting green and yellow colours.
Use large heavy-duty container pots to grow this Phyllostachys bamboo. It may not grow to its maximum height and spread when grown in contained spaces.
New shoots in the second, third and successive years will be reasonably taller than the first shoots.
So, do not be surprised if your Phyllostachys Sulphurea Viridis is taller than an average Phyllostachys bamboo in the container pots.
This running bamboo will definitely require repotting within 3 – 5 years.
Cultivar for large garden and woodland
Phyllostachys Sulphurea Viridis’s evergreen foliage, upright bright stems and arching branches are ideal for thick garden hedge.
The spectacular green and yellow colours on the large woody stems make this bamboo the ideal candidate for large gardens and woodland forests.
Perhaps it is important to note that the Phyllostachys Sulphurea Viridis (Ougon-kou Chiku Bamboo ) is an invasive bamboo, therefore building a bamboo barrier prior to planting it in the garden is the best thing to do.
The Ougon-kou Chiku Bamboo prefers well-drained, moist soil, but has been observed to do reasonably well in clay soils and high pH areas.
Should you grow yellow cane bamboo plants in pots?
Bamboos are evergreen and long-lasting. Best to grow in sites where they’ll provide a permanent cover such as in the garden or along the boundary or as hedges and privacy screens.
The yellow cane bamboos are fantastic pot plants.
Though these plants do not flower regularly, the golden yellow canes are naturally beautiful.
Below, is a list of 5 golden yellow cane bamboos and the benefits of growing these bamboos in pots.
Benefits of growing bamboos in pots
Movable: Most bamboos in pots are not easy to move because they are large and heavy plants. The Phyllostachys yellow bamboos (see below) will require additional help or tool to move them around, like this Hand Truck from B&Q. However, the great thing about growing bamboo in pots is that you CAN actually move and adjust the pots to your heart’s desire with a bit of help.
Maintainable: Bamboo are undemanding plants. You can prune the number of culms and greenery you want on the potted bamboos, and they’ll keep producing new shoots year on year. That is why they are great privacy plants.
Protection: Bamboo plants are hardy and can withstand cold and frosts. Though they are generally tolerant to insects and bugs, the new shoots are susceptible to slug attacks. So, growing them in pots and elevating them above the ground is the best protection.
Root barriers: The running bamboos are invasive, especially the golden Chinese timber bamboo, Yellow Bamboo Vivax and other bamboos listed below. Pots provide the barrier and stop them from invading other spaces.
Indoor and patio plants: Bamboos in pots can be used as natural screens for balconies, patios, porches, and verandas. They also provide a calm and relaxing atmosphere for the outdoor sitting areas and are good conversation starters when friends and family visit you.
What yellow cane bamboo plants can grow in pots?
There are several yellow bamboo plants from the families of running and clumping bamboo you can find on GardenBambooPlants.com.
This list is in fact a fine collection of the golden yellow cane bamboo plants, not only popular in the UK but preferred by many homeowners and gardeners.
Click on the links to find out about growth requirements.
They come in different sizes, shapes heights, and colours.
The red bamboo plants generally have red colouration in their shoots or stems.
Though they may not be red, the name red bamboo is used to identify them as belonging to a group of bamboos with some redness in them.
There are a few bamboos that really appear to be red. Their shoots and young culms show the distinct crimson or burgundy red.
The colourations will eventually fade as the stems (culms) age.
The changes are what make these bamboos special!
At GardenBambooPlants.com, you’ll find over 10 red bamboos with the features mentioned above. Here are the 5 best red bamboos with prominent red colourations.
5 bamboo plants with red stems and shoots
This is a fine collection of 5 red bamboo plants, not only popular in the UK but is also preferred among many homeowners and gardeners. Click on the links to find out about growth requirements and details of the shoots and culms colourations.