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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Bamboos are amazing plants, they come in different sizes, heights and colours.
Some are clumping whereas others are running. In particular, tall bamboo plants are best for privacy screening.
Let’s take a look at the 10 tall bamboo plants for sale in the UK and where you can get them.
10 tall bamboo plants – all you need to know
Here at GardenBambooPlants.Com, we provide information about running and clumping bamboo. They are available for free.
We summarised the information and make it easy for our visitors to select the right bamboo.
You can identify the uses, spread, colour, height and details of the tall bamboos that grow in the UK.
Click on the image to find out more about the 10 tall bamboos we featured here.
Tall Bamboo Plants for Sale in the UK
Buy tall bamboo plants online from the UK home and garden shops.
We are affiliate partners with renowned UK suppliers of bamboo plants and products. They deliver the highest quality plants that are ready for planting upon arrival.
Our relationship with the top UK bamboo sellers enables us to find the bamboos that you'll love.
We refer you straight to the sales page where you can make your buy safely and securely.
Rest assured that when you buy tall bamboo plants online, you get the best service they offer to customers.
How tall do bamboos grow?
Bamboo plants come in different heights. The Fargesia clumping bamboos are shorter than the Phyllostachys running bamboos.
The common bamboos that grow in the UK range from 0.5 metres to 15 metres such as the Dwarf Fargesia bamboos and Chinese bamboos, respectively.
Also, the giant bamboo (Gigantochloa verticillate) growing inside the Kew Garden Palm House is 20 metres tall, they had to snip the top off.
So, there is a range of heights.
Here at GardenBambooPlants.Com, we classify the bamboo collections into the following categories:
Some tall bamboo plants are running whereas others are clumping. They are perfect for tall privacy screens. They are undemanding plants and will grow well in the UK climate.
The image from Kew Royal Botanical Garden shows the tall natural screen, contrasting perfectly with the plants at the front.
Other uses include landscaping, potting plants or adding a unique focal point to your garden.
Grow bamboo, enjoy the evergreen foliage
Bamboo plants are becoming a popular oriental plant and it’s easy to see why. They are fast-growing plants, undemanding and provide the evergreen cover all year round.
You can use bamboo roots/rhizome barriers or grow them in pots to stop them from invading other spaces.
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.
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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There are cheap ways to build bamboo root barriers and stop bamboo rhizomes from spreading. Most of them will require genuine effort.
Planning before planting bamboo is the most effective way to control bamboo.
In this article, you’ll discover the 5 effective and cost-efficient ways to stop the running bamboo plants from spreading.
This may sound too much. However, it requires a bit of forethought about how far the bamboo will grow. The bamboo plants have the average area they are likely to cover at maturity.
Here is an example of the features of the Black Bamboo Nigra. It will give you an idea about the bamboo you are planting.
When it comes to growing running bamboo, prevention is better than cure. So, the long-term maintenance plans and suggestions below will help you to grow and enjoy bamboo screens and hedges.
Inheriting bamboo plants – what to do
The argument for having a maintenance plan prior to growing bamboo does not hold strong if you inherited bamboo.
In fact, it can be frustrating given the amount of work you need to do to remove bamboo or stop it from spreading. It can also be a costly exercise.
But, there are quick hacks for keeping the bamboo plants under control. It takes only a couple of hours per year.
You will need the tools for maintaining the bamboo plants.
5 cost-effective ways to stop bamboo from spreading
1. Use a bamboo root barrier when planting bamboo
Using a rubber root barrier is a common method for stopping bamboo rhizomes from spreading. It is also the most flexible way to grow bamboo plants because you can grow them in any direction.
The bamboo root barriers are great when growing bamboo along the boundary, near built areas and anywhere near the house.
Always put in a root barrier prior to planting the running bamboo. It will lessen the maintenance work as the bamboo grows.
This article has more information on bamboo root barriers and how to use them.
2. Grow bamboo in heavy-duty pots
The easiest method to stop bamboo from spreading is to plant it in a pot. The roots are pot-bound and will not spread. They are great pot plants for patios, balconies and any outdoor spaces.
Most of them can be used as natural privacy screens or windbreaks.
The heady-duty rubber pots are best as they are strong. If you need more information on selecting pots for planting bamboo plants, check out this article.
3. Grow bamboo in a raised bed
This is a less common way of containing bamboo plants, but it can be pretty effective when done right. You can build an elevated raised bed from any material, yet brick raised beds are best.
Understandably, the bamboo rhizomes do not grow deep into the soil.
A raised bed of about 50 cm is ideal for spotting any shoots that are creeping out the allotted space.
The elevated beds are a nice way to grow bamboo as a centrepiece or as an individual plant.
4. Dig a trench around the perimeter of an existing bamboo
Making a trench is a cost-effective method, especially when you have an overgrown plant.
However, it will require close supervision, especially in spring when the shoot and rhizome growths are prominent.
You will have to physically check for new growths and cut them off. It is a simple yet effective way to stop bamboo from spreading.
You should dig about a 30 cm perimeter around the plant as the bamboo roots, unlike plants, do not have a tap root that grows deep. The rhizomes are at the top layer of the soil and easy to spot as they grow over the trench.
Maintain the trench once or twice a year, ideally at the beginning of spring and at the end of summer.
5. Use patio slabs, metal sheets or heavy-duty rubber materials as rhizome barriers
Alternatives to rubber root barriers are patio slabs, heavy-duty plastics or metal sheets.
They work pretty good alternatives to the root barriers that you often have around the house or in the garden.
You should dig a trench 30 – 50 cm deep and lay them along with it. It works perfectly every time.
You can use any of the methods for containing bamboo plants and stopping them from invading the garden or the neighbour’s side.
Always use a bamboo root barrier when growing the running bamboo plants.
Here are some UK shops where you can get the bamboo root barrier: B&Q and YouGarden.
Benefits of growing bamboo plants
Bamboo plants are problematic because they tend to spread. However, there are two types of bamboo plants – running bamboo and clumping bamboo plants.
The running bamboo spreads and that is why growers should use root barriers when growing it.
Yet both types of bamboo plants have many benefits.
They are also resilient plants that they can grow in shade or on tough soil. They are evergreen which means you will enjoy the natural greenery all year round.
The two most common features of bamboo are that its fast-growing and also long-lasting. They come in all sizes, shapes, colours and heights. Fit for any purpose.
So, if you want a quick screen to cover any unsightly features in the garden, bamboo is the go-to plant.
Stop bamboo from spreading
Regardless of whether you've inherited bamboo or want to grow a new plant, these 5 ways of building bamboo barriers will help you.
Always build bamboo rhizome barriers when growing the running bamboo 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 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 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 YouGardenor 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.
Bamboo plants are undemanding and low maintenance, but neglect is the main cause of yellowing or curling leaves. This stress can result in losing your plants. In this article, you will find out How to maintain bamboo plants and revive them if the leaves turn yellow.
Bamboo plants are undemanding and low maintenance. They do not need much attention all year round, but they’ll appreciate a bit of mulch and water once in a while.
The best time to attend to your bamboo plants is early in spring when the growth is prominent.
5 maintenance tasks you can do to care for your bamboo plants are:
Bamboos are hardy plants. They like to rest in autumn and winter. The best time to maintain your bamboo plants is late spring.
This is when there is a lot of activity under the ground.
Prune the plants by removing the dead branches and stems. Add mulch to the grove.
That’s all you can do.
Your efforts will be rewarded early in summer with lots of new shoots and a vibrant bamboo grove.
How to revive bamboo leaves turning yellow or curl?
The leaves of the bamboo plants are a good indicator of the plants’ health. The leaves will show signs of stress if they are not happy by turning yellow or curling.
Quick actions will stop the plants from dying completely.
The main causes of stress in bamboo plants are lack of nutrients in the soil or waterlogged soils.
Others include temperature variation and insect and dust infestations. Here is a detailed article on how to revive bamboo leaves yellowing or curling.
What bamboo plants grow in shade?
This is a question that we see appear many times in chats and forums. There is no need to worry about shade because most bamboo plants are shade tolerant.
Though some bamboo plants prefer 5 – 7 hours of light, most bamboo plants will thrive in shade and part shade.
As a general rule, you should plant the variegated, black bamboo, golden yellow bamboo, red bamboo and other coloured bamboo plants in sites where there is enough direct to indirect light.
The colours are often more prolific in the light than in the shade.
Evergreen bamboo privacy screens for balcony or terrace
Many people use the terms balcony and terrace interchangeably to mean an extended outdoor space that has a roof cover and comfortable seating area.
In fact, there is a slight difference between the two outdoor spaces. The balcony is smaller and has only one entry door whereas the terrace is comparatively larger with multiple entryways. Both are affixed to the main building structure.
So, what are the best bamboo plants for privacy screening on a balcony or terrace?
Firstly, find out the length of the space that needs screening, and how many pots or containers may be required.
Secondly, decide what containers are best for the space and how many you’ll need.
The third step is important – what type of bamboo plants to choose?
Both deck and patio are often used for large recreational activities and gatherings at home.
A deck is an elevated ‘roofless’ outdoor seating area whereas a patio may not be necessarily elevated and is made of paving stones, bricks and blocks.
Many homeowners prefer to use bamboo sticks (canes) and bamboo mats for deck and patio screening, but do you know bamboo plants are also great natural privacy screens and windshields?
You can even turn the deck into a private outdoor space and block out the unsightly features by screening it with bamboo plants.
The tall, upright and slender running bamboo and clumping bamboo plants that reach 2 - 4 metres in height are perfect for deck screening.
How to find the right bamboo plants for deck or patio privacy screening: We compiled a list of small to medium bamboo plants end of this article to give you an idea about the right plants to pick for screening patio and deck.
Bamboo privacy screen for porch or veranda
Porch and veranda do not vary a great deal.
Often these two enclosures may refer to a roofed entrance (or the front) of a house. However, a veranda can extend to the side or the back of the house. Whereas, a porch is located at the front of the house.
Many porches and verandas are long and narrow. Therefore, select a bamboo that will serve well in narrow spaces such as the clump-forming bamboo plants.
The upright bamboo plants grow without arching.
They have tough narrow canes (culms), slender leaves, and dense foliage - suitable bamboo plants for creating a natural privacy screen in narrow spaces.
10 small and medium bamboo plants for an outdoor screen
We identified the different outdoors areas and bamboo for privacy screens so far. In addition, we created an easy-to-use guide for selecting the right bamboo plants.
Growing bamboo plants for the balcony, deck, patio or porch needs careful planning.
We cannot stress enough to plant the bamboo in pots and containers, whether it is running or clumping bamboo. This is the best way to contain the bamboo plants from spreading to other spaces.
If you are going to grow a new bamboo purchase, bamboo cuttings, here are two articles to help you:
Why Bamboo Privacy Screen for Balcony, Deck, Patio and Porch?
Bamboo plants are fast-growing and can produce the evergreen dense privacy screen in 2 to 3 years.
The bamboo plants are tolerant to pests and variable weather conditions.
Some bamboo plants are extremely hardy and can withstand very low temperatures in Winter.
One reason why bamboo plants are ideal for small outdoor spaces is that they are undemanding plants. They thrive in small, confined spaces with well-drained soil and good moisture.
Also, you do not need to replace the bamboo plants or re-potting them unless they outgrow the pots after 5 - 10 years.
The balcony, deck, patio or porch screening plants will need fertiliser feed or a plant grower, at least, once a year.
So, give them a feed ideally early in Spring - just before the new plant shoots grow. This will give you lush greenery and a formidable privacy screen for many years.
Related articles on Evergreen Outdoor Privacy Screen
Readers' note: This article is so long that we split it into several parts. Here are the related parts that you may also like to read:
PART 1: EVERGREEN BAMBOO SCREENS FOR BALCONY AND TERRACE
This fargesia bamboo is tolerant of both sun and shade and is best planted away from windy sites. It produces clusters of small leaves on orange and green stems (or culms).
A popular bamboo in the UK due to its clump-forming nature and stunning appearance.
It has light brown sheaths and bright green culms (stems), turning olive-green as they mature. Stunning bamboo to grow as a garden centrepiece, in shade or as a screen for all weather.
It is quick-growing and tall upright fargesia bamboo, with the most peculiar blue cane colouration, prefers a shaded area and grows well in partly shaded locations.
Some bamboos grow better in the shaded and part-shaded areas, making them good choices for shady areas of the garden or as undergrowth. Others prefer sunny spots.
As a rule of thumb, the Fargesia and Phyllostachys bamboo thrive in shades and are ideal for growing in pots or as screens, undergrowths and hedges
Some of the most shade-loving varieties of bamboo, growing in the UK are Fargesia, Borinda, Pleioblastus, Sasa, Sasaella and Phyllostachys.
The varieties of bamboo above are popular among bamboo growers in the UK but are not limited to what you can grow in the garden.
