What bamboo grow in shade?

There are many kinds of bamboo plants. Some prefer shade whereas others part-shade and sun. To answer the question Does Bamboo Grow in Shade? 

We list 6 bamboos that can grow in shade: 3 are running bamboos whereas the other 3 are clumping. 

Follow the links to find out more about the growth requirements and special features of each bamboo in our database.

Six bamboos to grow in shaded sites

There are many bamboos that also prefer shaded sites or undercovers. They range in size and colour. 

Let’s take a look at the 6 bamboos you can grow in the shaded sites.

• 1) Phyllostachys Nuda Bamboo Features
• 2) Fishpole Bamboo Phyllostachys aurea
• 3) Phyllostachys Humilis Scottish Bamboo Plants

• 4) Fargesia papyrifera Blue Dragon
• 5) Fargesia nitida Pillar fountain bamboo
• 6) Fargesia murielae Simba Umbrella Bamboo

Bamboo plants for shade and part-shade

The 6 bamboos will tolerate densely shaded sites. For example, under trees and wall covers or planted as pot plants for indoor areas. 

At gardenbambooplants.com, we list nearly 100 bamboos that grow well in the UK. 

This list is growing as we add more bamboo plants that thrive in the UK to it. 

Many home and garden retailers in the UK sell these 6 bamboo plants. 

We recommend checking the renowned UK retailers listed here for your bamboo plants and supplies.

Can you grow bamboo plants in shade - here are 6 bamboo plants that you can grow in shade.

What running bamboos grow in shade?

The running bamboos are an invasive variety because they have running rhizomes that spread along the ground. It is important to use a root barrier before growing them.

Warning: The running bamboo plants are invasive. 

Alternatively, grow them in pots to stop the bamboo from spreading in the garden

1)  Phyllostachys Nuda Bamboo Features

2)  Fishpole Bamboo Phyllostachys aurea

3) Phyllostachys Humilis Scottish Bamboo Plants

Always use a bamboo barrier or large heavy-duty pots to grow them.

Can bamboo grow in shade?

Bamboo can grow in shade. The bamboos listed above are some that you can grow in shaded areas or under covers. 

One of the peculiar things about bamboo plants is that there are many varieties. Some are running, and others are clumping. 

From the 6 bamboo plants that you can grow in shade, we put them into running and clumping to make it easy to find what you want.

What clumping bamboos grow in shade?

The clumping bamboos have rhizomes that tend to form clump clusters. That means that they do not spread, instead, the clumpers will expand around the base in time. 

There is no need to worry about spreading, but you may have to prune or thin out the culms to keep them in shape.

• 1) Fargesia papyrifera Blue Dragon
• 3) Fargesia murielae Simba Umbrella Bamboo
• 5) Fargesia nitida Pillar fountain bamboo

Here is a collection of clumping bamboo plants that you can grow in the UK, some of them have been awarded the prestigious RHS awards.

Sunlight is important for bamboo plants

Like other plants, sunlight is important for bamboo plants. 

Many of these plants grow in the tropical and sub-tropical undercovers and are tolerant to shade. You can grow the bamboos in shaded areas in the UK. 

Here are some points to note when growing bamboo in shaded sites, where there is a lack of sunlight. 

Positives: Bamboos will grow in shades and tend to have the following positive features.

• Dark green foliage.
• Better ground covers.
• Tall and slender culms.
• Fast-growing hedges and screens.

Negatives: Bamboos that grow in shades tend to have the following negative features.

• Leaves turn yellow and curl.
• Browning of culms.
• Thin leaves and culms.
• Produce fewer shoots as the plants mature.
• Less hardy in winter due to thin leaves and culms.

What to do to address the ‘negatives’?

As mentioned, bamboos are tolerant plants, they can grow in shaded areas. 

Apart from the need for sunlight, other factors can exacerbate the problems of growing bamboo in the shade. 

For your plants to do well in shade, ensure that the soil is nutrient-rich and well aerated. Prune and thin the old culms. Add mulch to conserve moisture and improve soil aeration.

Where necessary, add the NPK fertilisers or any slow-release fertilisers rich in nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus. 

 We covered the best practices for growing bamboo plants in this article – Bamboo Care and Maintenance Guide.

How fast does bamboo grow in the UK?

The bamboo plants grow very quickly. But how fast do they grow? 

We measured the rate of growth of Phyllostachys aureosulcata spectabilis and found out that it grew at a rate of 1.43cm per day. 

This is how fast bamboo grows in a non-native environment. 

 To put it in perspective, new shoots that grow in Spring will reach a height of 2 metres by summer in the UK. 

Check out the video showing the growth rate of the bamboo plants.

 

Bamboos can grow in shades. You must choose the bamboo that tolerates shades or part-shaded sites. 

 The 6 bamboos in this article will thrive in shaded areas in the UK. 

Leave a comment and let us know about your choice of bamboo. 

Follow us on YouTube Garden Bamboo Plants to see what we are up to in the Bamboo Garden.

Small Bamboo Plants for Shade

Bamboos are amazing plants, they come in different sizes, shapes and colours. Some are clumping whereas others are running. 

There are small bamboo plants for sale for almost any situation. Some small bamboo plants are best for shade.

Take a look at the best small bamboo plants for shade that thrive in the UK, US, NZ, Canada and Australia - follow the link to identify which one is best for you.

Uses of small bamboo plants

Bamboo plants are becoming a popular oriental plant and it’s easy to see why. Bamboos add an oriental touch to your garden and patio. They are hardy and come as either running or clumping bamboo.

Many small bamboo plants are ideal for garden hedges and undercover plants and they can thrive in shades.

In addition, they are undemanding plants and will grow well in the UK climate, great for 

• privacy screening, 
• hedging, 
• pot plants or 
• unique focal point in your garden.

What small bamboo plants to grow?

As gardeners, you’d want an ideal bamboo plant, one that provides the evergreen cover, low maintenance and is fast-growing.

We’ve researched nearly 100 running and clumping bamboos here at Garden Bamboo Plants. The heavy work is cut out for you so that you can use the summarised information to select the right bamboo.

The best thing to do is to check the top garden features of each bamboo and decide what’s ideal. 

To help you, here are Small Bamboo Plants for Shade.

You can buy the bamboos online too, see the UK retailers in the table below.

Best small bamboo plants for sale

Buy the small bamboo plants for sale online from the UK home and garden shops.

Rest assured that when you buy small bamboo plants online, you get the best service from UK-renowned retailers. 

They deliver the highest quality plants that are ready for planting upon arrival. 

You can get Fargesia clumping varieties or Phyllostachys running varieties.

How to select bamboo online

Use the article to find the best small bamboo plants for growing indoors or outdoors. Either way, this information will give you the confidence for growing bamboo and enjoy the greenery for many years.

As mentioned earlier, each article provides the insight you need to select the best small bamboo plants, which thrive in the UK. 

One of the best things listed in each article is the suggestions on how to use each bamboo plant.

Many of these plants have been used successfully as garden hedging and privacy screening plants. 

So check out the uses because it will give you an idea about growing it as garden plants or in pots and containers.

We hope that this article points you in the right direction, where you can find the best small bamboo plants to grow in pots or in the garden.

Best Small Bamboo Plants for Small Gardens UK

 The Bamboo Garden at Kew Gardens London 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.

Important: All the images are copyright materials covered under our Content Protection Notice. Contact us for more information.

 

Pleioblastus agenteostriatus Variegated Bamboo

It's a beautiful small running bamboo. 

This photo was taken in winter, the leaves have green and white stripes. 

In summer, these leaves are going to turn dark green contrasting beautifully with the whites. 

This spectacular variegated bamboo forms low patches with slender dark green culms to just 1 metre in height. 

The distinctive characters are in the green variegated leaves.

Pleioblastus agenteostriatus Variegated Bamboo

Chimonobambusa tumidissinoda

Chimonobambusa tumidissinoda or Walking Stick Bamboo is a running variety. 

It is large and can grow to 6 metres in the wild. 

Its culms are used as walking sticks for many centuries in China and Japan.

Chimonobambusa tumidissinoda

'Bamboo' Pleioblastus viridistriatus

Pleioblastus viridistriatus is a running variegated bamboo. 

It's perfect for gardening borders and privacy screening. 

It has beautiful purple-green culms for landscaping and adding colours to the garden. 

Check out other variegated bamboo plants.

'Bamboo' Pleioblastus viridistriatus

Sasa nipponica

Sasa nipponica is an evergreen small bamboo that can grow to 1 metre in height, hardy and evergreen. 

It has slim culms and is comparatively small compared to other bamboos. One of the best to grow in small gardens, driveways or as ground covers and undergrowth. 

This small bamboo is undemanding and thrives in the UK climate.

Sasa nipponica

Pleioblastus fortunei

Pleioblastus fortunei (or Pleioblastus pygmaeus or Dwarf Bamboo) is a small bamboo. 

There are two types, one has variegated leaves, and the other does not have variegated leaves. 

Pleioblastus fortunei 'Variegata' is the variegated cultivar whereas Pleioblastus pygmaeus or Dwarf Bamboo is not variegated bamboo. 

Check carefully if you are buying the Pleioblastus fortunei online.

Pleioblastus fortunei

Small Bamboo Garden Kew 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. 

Please share on Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter. We share bamboo gardening ideas, images and videos on YouTube. Join Us.

Japanese Bamboo Garden in United Kingdom, Kew, London

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.

Important: All the images are copyright materials covered under our Content Protection Notice. Contact us for more information. 

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. 

In the UK, this bamboo reaches over 20 metres.

• Video on YouTube

Gigantochloa verticillate Giant Bamboo - Kew Royal Botanic Garden (Photo: GBP - Inside Glass House)

Buddha's Belly Bamboo (Bambusa ventricosa)

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.

• Video on YouTube

Buddha's Belly Bamboo (Bambusa ventricosa)

Bambusa vulgaris

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 bissettii canes are obviously dark green, with yellow indentations or stripes.

• Video on YouTube

Phyllostachys nigra ‘Henonis’ Black bamboo

Phyllostachys bambusoides var. subvariegata

Phyllostachys bambusoides has several cultivars. 

The var. subvariegata cultivar, as seen in this image, has upright and dark glossy green culms and zigzagged internodes at the base. 

Phyllostachys bambusoides are commonly called the Japanese Timber Bamboo.

Phyllostachys bambusoides var. subvariegata

Phyllostachys nidularia

Phyllostachys nidularia or Broom Bamboo is a stunning bamboo with erect canes. 

It is known as Broom Bamboo because branches and culms are great bamboo brooms. This running bamboo can grow to 4 metres. 

As a precaution, use the root barrier when growing this bamboo, it is one of the invasive species.

Phyllostachys nidularia

Phyllostachys sulphuria var. viridis

Bamboo Phyllostachys sulphurea viridis is a running bamboo also known as the Ougon-kou Chiku or Kou-Chiku bamboo. 

It’s 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 sulphuria var. viridis

Phyllostachys vivax aureosulcata

Golden Yellow Chinese Timber Bamboo Vivax Golden or Golden Yellow Cane Bamboo is a Tall and thick running bamboo, best for tall hedges and screens. 

The golden stems have spectacular bright green stripes running vertically along the internode. 

Bamboo vivax is an RHS Merit Award-winning bamboo, that grows well in a mild temperate climate.

• Video on YouTube.

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. 

Please share on Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter. We share bamboo gardening ideas, images and videos on YouTube. Join Us.

Evergreen shade-loving plants like bamboo

There are many evergreen plants for shade, some are deciduous and others are evergreen. Only a few grow best in deep to light-shaded areas.

In this article, you will find out about the 5 popular evergreen, shade-living plants that thrive in pots and in the garden.

5 shade-loving popular plants in the UK and US plants 

How to grow evergreen shade plants – pots or garden?

Some shade-loving plants like the bamboo plants will thrive in pots and in the garden. However, not all the shrubs that grow well in shade will thrive in pots. 

The flowering shrubs have taproots that grow deep into the soil. This means that they do not like to be contained within pots and containers. 

Unless, of course, they grow in large planters and containers where there is plenty of rooting space. 

Evergreen plants for shade like bamboos

To put this article in perspective, here are some uses of the 5 shade-loving plants and suggestions for growing them.

The 5 Best Evergreen Shade Plants:

• Bamboo plants,
• Sarcococca,
• Buddleia,
• Viburnum tinus and
• Ceanothus.

Read about the 5 plants and their features: 5 shade-loving popular plants

Shade-loving plants for pots

The shade-loving shrubs, unfortunately, will not do well in pots. They have taproots and like to root freely.

They will not do well in contained spaces like the pot, planters and containers. 

If you want to grow a plant in a pot and put it in a deeply shaded area, bamboo is a fantastic option.

Shaded hedge plants

There are many hedge plants, some are deciduous whereas others are evergreen like the 5 plants featured in this article.

The 3 best plants for hedging a shaded area are:

•  Bamboo,
• Viburnum tinus and
• Ceanothus.

Hardy plants/shrubs for shade

Most evergreen plants are hardy, which means that they can tolerate frost and ice during the winter.

The 5 hardiest evergreen plants are:

• Bamboo,
• Sarcococca,
• Buddleia,
• Viburnum tinus and
• Ceanothus.

Note that some buddleia cultivars are semi-evergreen or deciduous.

Check the plant description carefully when buying online or in-store.

Best garden plants for ground cover plants

The evergreen shrubs may not be the best ground cover, but they will require pruning to keep them in shape. These shrubs are beautiful ground covers when they are in full bloom.

The small Chinese Dwarf bamboos and variegated bamboos are best for evergreen ground covers. You can mix and match them to great effect. 

The 3 best ground cover plants are:

• Bamboo plants (Sasa nopponica),
• Sarcococca and
• Viburnum tinus.

Where to buy the evergreen plants for shade?

The 5 shade-loving plants in this article thrive under the covers of trees and buildings, where other plants tend to struggle to grow. 

They are also fantastic ground covers. You can buy these plants online from YouGarden or Crocus.

Shade-loving evergreen hedging plants

In addition to the 5 shade-loving plants for pots and gardens listed in this article, here are the top 6 hedging plants that thrive in shade. They have tightly packed leaves that last all year round. 

The groundcover, shade-login plants mentioned in this article, bamboo is the only grass variety among the fast-growing evergreen hedging plant. 

Also, the beech tree is deciduous. Read more about the 6 common hedging plants we covered in an earlier article here.

The 5 evergreen shade-loving plants for pots and gardens are Bamboo, Sarcococca, Buddleia, Viburnum tinus and Ceanothus.

Bamboo is well-known for being the fastest growing plant. And, the shrubs are popular for their scented flowers and contrasting colours, best for attracting bees and butterflies. 

We hope this article gives you some ideas about the evergreen plants for shade. Check out our website (GardenBambooPlants.Com) for more information in the common bamboo plants that grow in the in UK.

5 evergreen garden plants for shade

Most plants require light to grow, that is why they may not do well in heavily shaded areas. But, there are some exceptional plants that thrive in shaded sites. 

The 5 plants we cover in this article are popular shade-loving plants because they tend to adapt exceptionally well to different shaded sites. They are evergreen and long-lasting. 

If you are looking for evergreen shade plants to grow in pots or in the garden, you’ll love these 5 plants.

Bamboo plants for shade

There are different cultivars of bamboo plants, grouped into running and clumping varieties. They are hardy and extremely tolerant to shade. This is because most bamboos are native to subtropical and tropical Asia and the Pacific. 

Bamboo plants usually grow under the forest canopy where there is little or no light.

Many garden bamboo cultivars in the UK and the US display this feature prominently, which makes bamboo one of the top shape-loving plants. 

Also, the small bamboo cultivars are best planted as ground covers. 

Here are some suggestions of bamboo that thrive in shaded areas, and small variegated bamboos to use as ground covers. 

Caution: The running bamboos will spread. Always use a bamboo barrier when growing them in the garden. Alternatively, grow them in pots or containers.

 

Sarcococca (Christmas box)

Sarcococca, also known as the Christmas box, is a dense evergreen shrub.

It bears sweet-scented white flowers in winter. 

The contrasting white flowers with dark green leaves are adorable. The flowers attract bees and butterflies.

This flowering shrub is extremely shade-loving and drought tolerant, a fantastic undercover plant.

Buddleia (Butterfly bush)

Buddleia, also known as the Butterfly bush. 

This beautiful sweet-scented shrub has cultivars that are evergreen, semi-evergreen and deciduous. They adapt extremely well to shade and dry soils. 

You can trim the branches to give a lush bush. Buddleia is a popular flowering plant for attracting bees and butterflies to your garden.

On Sale at YouGarden.

Viburnum tinus

Viburnum tinus is a dense, evergreen shrub that also grows well in shade. It has dark, glossy leaves. 

The leaves contrast beautifully with the clusters of small pinkish-white flowers. 

They appear throughout the winter and spring. It is a popular flowering shrub because it is easy to grow and adds greenery to the garden throughout the year. 

You can use this beautiful plant for ground cover or hedging.

Ceanothus (Californian Lilac)

Ceanothus, also called Californian Lilac, is an evergreen flowering shrub. 

This beautiful plant has scented flowers that appear late in spring through to summer. 

It can grow in shade to part shade, adaptable and hardy – a fantastic shade hedging plant.

Apart from bamboo, which is grass, the other shade-loving plants are shrubs with beautifully scented flowers. In fact, they are bees and butterfly ‘magnets’.

All in all, if you want to grow a shade-loving plant, these 5 plants will not disappoint.

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.