Bamboo Plants for Sale UK

Garden bamboo plants are popular in the United Kingdom (UK) and are the main features of many gardens. 

They have attractive foliage and bring a tropical effect to the garden, evergreen and dense. 

They are a delight to have in the gardens - here are bamboo plants for sale from top UK suppliers.

Phyllostachys vivax Garden Bamboo Plants

Running vs. clump-forming bamboo

The bamboo plants are native to tropical and sub-tropical areas but come cultivars thrive in temperate in the UK.

Bamboo varieties such as red bamboo, black bamboo and yellow bamboo do exceptionally well in British weather.

 Fargesia robusta and Fargesia nitida are among the best umbrella bamboo for screening because they have dense foliage from top to bottom. 

Although some bamboo varieties are invasive, many UK gardeners are finding simple ways to grow and contain bamboo plants.

Buy Bamboo Plants for Screening

Clumping Bamboo Plants UK

Small bamboo plants, the clump-forming bamboo plants are great pot and container plants.

The prices are reflective of the various sizes of the plants at the time of the article and a subject to change.

Check with your local garden centre and online stores. Here is a list of top UK bamboo suppliers.

Bamboo plants in pots for sale

The ‘Price range’ in the tables above takes the lower-end price from the major online markets like e-Bay and Amazon at the time of this article.

Costs of Bamboos ranges between £20 and £60 or can be even higher. When buying plants, always choose a reputable garden shop because they sell high-quality plants.

Always check the post and package cost as this may not be included in the final cost of the bamboo plant. This may be dumb, but it is the best way to avoid paying more than you should.

The upper price limits are from the leading Garden Centres in the UK. The upper price limits are indicative of the delivery prices. However, the prices do fluctuate, therefore check the actual door price before making a purchase.

Buy screening bamboo plants

Online bamboo P&P: 

Getting bargain garden bamboo plants from online marketplaces like Amazon and e-Bay can be satisfying.

However, the price of Garden Bamboo Plants from online marketplaces does not include the postage and packing, P&P.

Therefore, it is perhaps important to check out the actual cost price of the plant on sale before buying it.

Home bamboo delivery: 

Many established Garden Centres and online garden shops in the UK factored the cost of delivery into their charges.

Though it may look expensive, the price of bamboo plants on sale is always the home-delivery price.

So whether you are thinking of buying from the major online marketers or at your favourite garden shops, use the Price Range in the tables in this article as a guide. 

Check out GBP Blog's archive and YouTube Videos for tips and tricks to Grow Bamboo Plants in the UK.  It has an updated collection of articles on ALL-YOU-NEED-TO-GROW-BAMBOO plants.

Bamboo plants UK

Online data has shown that in the last 5 years, there is a high demand for bamboo plants. In particular, the clump-forming bamboo plants have been growing in popularity in the UK.

The fast-growing evergreen screen is the ideal option for shielding the unsightly features.

Tall Bamboo Plant UK [Phyllostachy vixax areocaulis]

Uses of bamboo plants

Many homeowners and gardeners realised that bamboo plants are best for border fences, henge and privacy screens.

 Additionally, bamboo plants are also popular due to their multiple uses in gardens.

They grow well in the UK climate and thrive throughout the cold winter months.

Check out the list of top UK bamboo suppliers 

Bamboo for borders

Growing bamboo along borders and hedges and as the screen is a delicate undertaking. Here is one of the best border plants.

Sasa nipponica (Fantastic border bamboo]

Best bamboo for screen

Bamboo plants are a great screen because they come in different heights.

Not only that, but the best screens are those that have evergreen foliage that run from the top to the bottom, like this one in the video.

Pleioblastus fortunei Variegata [White-striped Bamboo]

Best Bamboo for shade

Bamboo plants are resilient, they can grow anywhere. Yet, some varieties grow best in shade whereas others prefer sun to part-shade.

So, choose carefully when planting bamboo in shade. Here is a bamboo that does well in shade, VIDEO.

Phyllostachys Bissetii [Green Bamboo]

Get this bamboo from Check the top UK bamboo suppliers 

Hedging bamboo

Bamboos like Sasa Nipponica can be pruned, which makes them the best hedge plant. Grow them along the border, or as hedges to form a formidable screen.

Maintain bamboo plants

Although most borders, hedges and screening bamboo plants need less maintenance, you may have to monitor their growth so that they do not spread.

A regular check all year round is the most effective way to stop the bamboo rhizomes from invading other people’s properties. 

In addition, a regular check is important for pruning the old bamboo and maintaining the hedges so that they stay neat and adorable.

Black Bamboo Flowering in the UK [Phyllostachys Nigra]

Black bamboo plants are flowering in the UK. These images I took at the Kew Bamboo Garden show the cultivar Phyllostachys nigra 'Megurochiku'  Black Bamboo flowering.

This is a phenomenon that happens once in 40 - 60 years, but for a short time.

It is an interesting time for bamboo growers in the UK. The flowering black bamboo will die. 

Images of Black Bamboo Flowering in the UK

Black Bamboo (Phyllostachys nigra) flower & dies

The black bamboo flowers every 40 to 60 years, Every black bamboo plant in the UK will flower at the same time.

After flowering, that generation of black bamboo plants will die completely.

The seeds can be collected and planted to start a new stand of bamboo growth.

Also, cuttings from the rhizomes can be used to grow a new generation of plants.

Cultivars of Black Bamboo

More than 10 cultivars of black bamboo plants grow in the UK. This article has the details of the common cultivars that you should know.

On a recent visit to Kew Bamboo Garden, I noted that some black bamboo cultivars have not flowered except for the Phyllostachys nigra 'Megurochiku'.

Phyllostachys nigra 'Megurochiku'

Can you grow Black Bamboo Plants?

You may propagate the seeds and cuttings in preparation for next year, but refrain from re-potting and transplanting matured bamboo plants until next spring.

This is a phenomenon that happens once in 40 - 60 years, but for a short time. So hold on until the flowering season has passed.

Having said that, some black bamboo cultivars have not been seen to be flowering this year, which includes Phyllostachys nigra, Phyllostachys nigra f. henonis and  Phyllostachys nigra ‘Boryana’.

Yet, it would be a good idea to hold off until next spring before growing them.

Black Bamboo Plants for Sale UK

Black Bamboo nigra is an award-winning bamboo for its unique features. 

The RHS described it as ‘one of the most elegant bamboos, with polished, damson-black mature canes and dark green leaves.’

Black Bamboo is a standout. It does behave like clump-forming bamboo in parts of the UK where it's cooler.

Black Bamboo Plants for Sale UK

Here is where to buy clumping bamboo plants. We listed some top UK Home and Garden retailers like Crocus and YouGarden.

Features of Black Bamboo Plants

• Identification: Phyllostachys nigra, Black Bamboo nigra, running bamboo (behaves like clumping bamboo in cooler climate)
• Site: Grow in full sun to partial shade.
• Soil: Prefers moist but well-draining loamy soil.
• Uses: Windbreak, pots and containers or individual plants.
• Winter hardiness: -15 to - 20 degrees Celsius.
• Height: Fast-growing plant, 4 – 6m.
• Spread: Invasive bamboo
• Foliage colour: Evergreen dark foliage all year round.
• Culm colour: Ebony expresso black

Black Bamboo Phyllostachys nigra 'Megurochiku'. (Also called the Olive Cane bamboo)

Black Bamboo Stems

Black Bamboo nigra is a fast-growing bamboo, known to be an invasive variety of running bamboo. It is a spectacular bamboo with ebony dark black to matured expresso black stems.

At an average height of 4 – 5m at maturity, the black bamboo (Phyllostachys nigra) is a tall and slender arching bamboo variety, fully hardy to -20 degrees Celsius.

Bamboo Nigra is known as one of the most distinctive bamboos of the Phyllostachys group. There are different cultivars of black bamboo nigra. Check out the full collection on GBP Blog.

How to Propagate Black Bamboo Nigra

The three ways to propagate Black Bamboo are

• seed propagation,
• separation of the clump-base and
• culm (stem) or rhizome (root) cuttings.

Bamboo seeds are often hard to buy near you because they do not flower regularly. The best way to propagate the black bamboo is by base separation or roots and culms cuttings.

Experiences of Propagating Bamboos

We tried the different ways of propagating bamboo and know that it requires a lot of prep and effort to get the bamboo growing. 

Yet, watching the germinating bamboo is often rewarding.

Black Bamboo Care

Although black bamboo is a low-maintenance plant, the new growths will require care and attention.

Beware that the slugs adore the tender new growths, they can widen them if left unprotected.

If you are propagating bamboo plants from rhizomes or culms cuttings or planting a recent purchase, protect the new growths by adding the slug killers.

Here is my YouTube video showing a 4-week-old bamboo attacked by slugs.

Grow Black Bamboo Plants UK

When growing the Black Bamboo Nigra, perhaps an important factor to consider is the invasiveness despite showing some common features of the clump-forming bamboo.

If you are growing bamboo in the garden, put it in an area where there is room to spread.

The old black bamboos will thrive in well-drained soil with high moisture and nutrients, but like most bamboos, they do not like compacted dry soils.

It will require re-potting when it outgrows the pot so if you want to keep it longer, use a large pot or container. As a rule of thumb, the size of the pot should be twice the size of the base clump.

If you see browning in the culms or the bamboo leaves turning yellow, check the soil. Here is an article on how to revive your bamboo plants in a case where there is a sign of distress.

Black Bamboo preferred sites

Although the Black Bamboo Nigra is an elegant variety, it is an invasive bamboo. As mentioned earlier, it requires a lot of space to grow.

The arching culms and evergreen dark leaves can spread 4 – 6m on average. It is important to take this into consideration when choosing a site to plant to grow the black bamboo nigra.

As a pointer, this peculiar bamboo is ideal as an individual plant in the garden or contained in large pots and containers for balconies and terraces.

Which bamboo is best for privacy screens? [Fargesia Vs Phyllostachys]

Homeowners and gardeners are wondering which bamboo plant would be most suited for screening purposes.

Some bamboo plants, called running bamboo plants, can become a serious problem if planted in the garden without a barrier.

There are many cultivars of running and clump-forming bamboo. The common ones are the Phyllostachys and Fargesia bamboo plants.

So, which bamboo plants is best for privacy screens? 

Which bamboo is best for privacy screens?

Many gardeners play it safe and opt for the clump-forming Fargesia over Phyllostachys. 

The Fargesia bamboo plants hold more foliage which offers more density for screening whereas the Phyllostachys is more about the stem colour and height.

Different Fargesia cultivars will produce different thicknesses and heights so it really depends on your need for screening.

For Fargesias, the Fargesia Umbrella bamboo plants produce thick screens and Fargesia Robusta cultivars are mostly tall. 

Some Phyllostachys bamboo plants like the Black Bamboo (Phyllostachys nigra) and Scottish Bamboo (Phyllostachy Humilis) are running bamboos but behave like clump-forming bamboos in cooler climates.

Bamboo charm and elegance

The charm of the foliage and elegance is quickly lost when you see roots and shoots emerging in all parts of the garden, interfering with the built structures. 

Even worst when they cross the boundary over to the neighbour's side and cause some 'neighbourly discussions'.

Most Phyllostachys bamboo plants have running rhizomes that spread. But, there are cost-effective ways to grow running bamboo for screening.

You can still enjoy the charm and elegance of these beautiful plants by building a rhizome barrier before growing them. 

Use bamboo root barriers

When growing the running bamboo plants within barriers you won't have problems with them invading all parts of the garden, built structures and neighbour's side.

There are many different ways to create bamboo barriers from growing bamboo in planter boxes, pots and containers to building raised structures and securing bamboo roots within roots barriers.

3 Best Running and Clump-forming Bamboo Plants to Grow

Do you know they're running and clumping black bamboos that thrive in the UK? These black bamboos, including the Nigra, tend to exhibit dark ebony stem colouration.

The options for choosing running and clumping black bamboos are many, but here are 3 best running and clumping bamboo you can grow in pots or in the garden.

Running black bamboo plants

The common black bamboo is the elegant Phyllostachys Nigra. 

It has distinction black ebony culms (canes/stems) that identify it as the common ‘Black Bamboo’ with running rhizomes and slender green leaves.

This running bamboo is awarded the RHS merit for its unique features. The RHS described it as

‘one of the most elegant bamboos, with polished, damson-black mature canes and dark green leaves.’

Check out the black bamboo plants for sale at Crocus.co.uk 

Clump-forming black bamboo plants

Another black bamboo is the Black Pearl Fountain Bamboo. Black Pearl is a spectacular fountain bamboo of the Fargesia nitida group with purply black culms and overarching green foliage, non-invasive.

The third black bamboo is Fargesia nitida ‘Volcano’. It is a stunning, non-invasive bamboo, with a reddish-black cane (culm) and brown sheath that forms a beautiful contrast between the dense green leaves.

Check out these UK retailers where you can buy the clumping and running bamboo plants.

Are the black bamboo plants invasive?

The three bamboos are ideal pot and garden plants. These bamboo plants will thrive under the right conditions in the UK.

Black Bamboo Nigra:

The Phyllostachys nigra is an invasive and tall running bamboo. The black bamboo can grow to 6m, and is upright with arching evergreen foliage.

However, in the cooler temperate conditions (and in pots the Black Bamboo Nigra) may not behave like a running bamboo. 

It often shows the features of the clumping bamboo by forming tight clumps.

Black Bamboo Phyllostachys nigra

More information about here>> Black Bamboo Nigra. You can also check out the names-links for a detailed insight into each type of black bamboo.

Black Pearl: 

Fargasia nitida Murielae ‘Black Pearl’ is an outstanding black bamboo from the clumping variety with an arching cane that can grow to 4m in height. 

It is a non-invasive, medium bamboo.

Black Pearl (Culms appear ebony black in sun)

Fargesia nitida ‘Volcano’: 

‘Fargesia Volcano’ is also a stunning clumping bamboo that has shades of black on its canes that can grow to 2m in height. 

It is a non-invasive, small bamboo.

Purply-reddish to dark black culm when matured

What are the common uses of Black Bamboo?

• Outdoor privacy screen
• Garden hedging screen
• Pot and container plants

What to do when growing black bamboo plants? [VIDEOS]

Black bamboo plants are expensive compared to the other plants. For the success of the new plants, here is what you can do.

Check out the black bamboo plants for sale at Crocus.co.uk

How to grow black bamboo in pots?

When growing the bamboos in pots, always choose a pot that is stable, and remember that size does matter! 

(Read about how to choose the best pot for planting bamboo)

Here are the steps for growing the black running and clumping bamboo in the pots and containers.

• Select a good (open-top & stable) pot or container.
• Lay placeholders underneath the pot to stop it from wobbling.
• Put the pot planter into place.
• Lay the base of the pot with porous sheets, pebbles or gravel for drainage.
• Fill the pot with a 50/50 potting mixture or loam soil.
• Soak the bamboo before planting it in the pot.
• Add soil and compact it into the pot (leaving 10cm to 15cm space at the top)
• Add mulch.
• Water generously.

Check out this article for the guide to how to select the best pot and container plants. 

The article puts into perspective why it is important to use the right pot plants and why you should follow each step above.

Re-potting black bamboo plants

The black bamboo plants will require to be moved into a bigger pot or into multiple pots. Either way, you will need additional help.

The plants that are grown in the pots with the small top and open bottom are going to be really hard to remove. 

Therefore, it is important to choose a pot that has an open top, which is going to make your work easier when it comes to removing the plants from the pot for repotting.

To re-pot, firstly separate the plants into smaller segments (ideally 2 or 4 parts), then soak the segments in water and then plant them in pots or in the garden. Careful not to disturb any rooting and budding rhizomes.

This activity is best done in early Spring!

Select a site for growing black bamboo

When growing bamboo as a garden hedge or for screening an unsightly structure near the boundary, it is important to choose the site carefully. 

There are three things you can do to stop the running black bamboo from invading other spaces.

1. Use root barriers
2. Build a raised structure
3. Plant the bamboo 1 to 2 metres away from the boundary, patio, pavement and building.

Grow black bamboo in the garden

• Choose the site carefully.
• Dig a hole twice the size of the diameter and depth of the pot holding the plant.
• Soak the black bamboo in water before planting it.
• Add nutrient-rich soil and compost.
• Compact the soil into the ground.
• Add mulch.
• Water generously.

Fast-growing plants

The running bamboo (Phyllostachys nigra) and clumping bamboos (Black Pearl & Volcano) are fast-growing plants. 

The new culms can grow up to 2cm per day or 60cm per month. The former is a tall arching plant, whereas the two clumping black bamboo plants will grow to 4m or less.

How to care for black bamboo nigra?

The old culms and rhizomes of the black running bamboo Phyllostachys nigra will need pruning to promote new growth. 

The thick bamboo bush may require thinning. 

Cut the new shoots and remove any unhealthy culms close to the ground.

Also, the new black bamboo shoots will have to be tied back to give a neat hedge. 

The plants in the pots will require repotting if they’ve outgrown the pots. 

Here is the Complete Guide to Bamboo Care and Maintenance.

 

Check out the black bamboo plants for sale at Crocus.co.uk

How to protect black bamboo?

Bamboo plants are hardy and tolerant of pests and diseases. However, the Black Bamboo plants will require sunlight, water and fertiliser to thrive in pots and poor soil.

The best time to prune, add fertilisers and mulch and re-pot/replant bamboo is in early Spring when the new growths are prominent.

Pruning and thinning bamboo plants are vital for the plants. As mentioned above, pruning can be done to either remove the old culms and rhizomes with the aim to promote new growths.

Whereas thinning is normally carried out to reduce the bamboo’s density and stop the rhizomes from spreading, basically removing the unwanted growths.

The bamboo canes are great sticks for staking tomatoes, plants and flowers in the garden. So, keep the bamboo sticks when you are pruning or thinning the black bamboo. 

You can also use rhizome cuttings to grow new black bamboo plants.

All in all, we hope that this article helps you to identify the common black bamboo plants that thrive in the UK and learn how to grow them in pots and containers, or in the garden.

Phyllostachys nigra 'Megurochiku'

Phyllostachys nigra 'Megurochiku' bamboo has olive-green stems with a black stripe through the sulcus. 

The new stems appear green, however, the stripes are predominant in the sun as the stems get older. 

You'll have to look carefully to differentiate 'Megurochiku' from ‘Boryana’. 'Megurochiku' has brown stripes and ‘Boryana’ has black stripes and spots. 

As mentioned earlier, there are over 10 cultivars or varieties of the black bamboo plant, Phyllostachys nigra. 

Many growers in the UK love the Phyllostachys nigra Black Bamboo and therefore is becoming very popular among bamboo growers.

Check out the black bamboo plants for sale at Crocus.co.uk

 Common black bamboo plants in the UK

There are 4 common black bamboo plants that grow in UK gardens. You can find most of them at the Kew's Japanese Bamboo Garden in London.

The common Back Bamboo Nigra can also be seen in many home gardens. It is easy to identify with its black stems.

4 common black bamboo plants:

• Black Bamboo Nigra (Phyllostachys nigra)
• Phyllostachys nigra f. henonis
• Phyllostachys nigra 'Megurochiku'
• Tiger Bamboo or simply ‘Bory’ (Phyllostachys nigra ‘Boryana’)

What types of care to provide for black bamboo plants?

If you are planning to build a roots barrier or thin out your running bamboo rhizomes and culms, do it in early Spring. 

 Always add the access soil and mulch to the base of the bamboo plants and tidy up before Summer. This will stimulate the plants to grow within weeks. 

The best mulch for the bamboo is bamboo leaves. Rake the leaves and put them back near or around the bamboo. 

The other Phyllostachys bamboo plants have green stems with peculiar spots and stripes colourations. 

These running bamboos are hardy, tall and upright plants, and also invasive. 

They require care and attention to grow well.

All in all, the black bamboo plant is one of the Phyllostachys nigra bamboos, well-known for its spectacular black stems. 

Phyllostachys nigra ‘Boryana’ Black Bamboo Plants

‘Boryana’ is a stunning Phyllostachys nigra bamboo, also called Tiger Bamboo or simply ‘Bory’. 

It has upright tall stems with distinctive brown to brownish-black spots and stripes, hence the name Tiger Bamboo. 

Check out the black bamboo plants for sale at Crocus.co.uk

 BLACK-BROWN SPOTTED/STRIPED STEM NIGRA

Common black bamboo plants in the UK

There are 4 common black bamboo plants that grow in UK gardens. You can find most of them at the Kew's Japanese Bamboo Garden in London.

The common Back Bamboo Nigra can also be seen in many home gardens. It is easy to identify with its black stems.

4 common black bamboo plants:

• Black Bamboo Nigra (Phyllostachys nigra)
• Phyllostachys nigra f. henonis
• Phyllostachys nigra 'Megurochiku'
• Tiger Bamboo or simply ‘Bory’ (Phyllostachys nigra ‘Boryana’)

Click on the links to find out more about them.

What types of care to provide for black bamboo plants?

If you are planning to build a roots barrier or thin out your running bamboo rhizomes and culms, do it in early Spring. 

Always add the access soil and mulch to the base of the bamboo plants and tidy up before Summer. This will stimulate the plants to grow within weeks. 

The best mulch for the bamboo is bamboo leaves. Rake the leaves and put them back near or around the bamboo. 

The other Phyllostachys bamboo plants have green stems with peculiar spots and stripes colourations. 

These running bamboos are hardy, tall and upright plants, and also invasive. 

They require care and attention to grow well.

All in all, the Phyllostachys nigra ‘Boryana’  is one Black Bamboo Nigra cultivar, well-known for its spotty black spots on the canes. 

Phyllostachys nigra f. henonis Black Bamboo Plants

Phyllostachys nigra f. henonis is a tall running bamboo with bright green stems that turn olive green. 

Quite tricky to differentiate between Phyllostachys nigra f. henonis and Phyllostachys bisettii (Green bamboo). This is because 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 shows signs of olive-yellow canes whereas the Green Bamboo Phyllostachys bissettii canes are obviously dark green. 

Check out the black bamboo plants for sale at Crocus.co.uk

 GREEN STEM NIGRA

Common black bamboo plants in the UK

There are 4 common black bamboo plants that grow in UK gardens. You can find most of them at the Kew's Japanese Bamboo Garden in London.

The common Back Bamboo Nigra can also be seen in many home gardens. It is easy to identify with its black stems.

4 common black bamboo plants:

• Black Bamboo Nigra (Phyllostachys nigra)
• Phyllostachys nigra f. henonis
• Phyllostachys nigra 'Megurochiku'
• Tiger Bamboo or simply ‘Bory’ (Phyllostachys nigra ‘Boryana’)

Click on the links to find out more about them.

What types of care to provide for black bamboo plants?

If you are planning to build a roots barrier or thin out your running bamboo rhizomes and culms, do it in early Spring. 

 Always add the access soil and mulch to the base of the bamboo plants and tidy up before Summer. This will stimulate the plants to grow within weeks. 

The best mulch for the bamboo is bamboo leaves. Rake the leaves and put them back near or around the bamboo. 

The other Phyllostachys bamboo plants have green stems with peculiar spots and stripes colourations. 

These running bamboos are hardy, tall and upright plants, and also invasive. 

They require care and attention to grow well.

All in all, the black bamboo plant is one of the Phyllostachys nigra bamboos, well-known for its spectacular black stems. 

10 Common Black Bamboo [Phyllostachys Nigra Cultivars]

Phyllostachys nigra, also called Black Bamboo, are evergreen fast-growing ornamental plants. 

The black bamboos have spectacular ebony black stems (culms). 

However, do you know there are other cultivars of the Phyllostachys nigra? 

In fact, there are over 10 Phyllostachys nigra bamboo plants with black stem colourations, spots and stripes.

Phyllostachys nigra 'Black Bamboo'

This black bamboo plant is awarded the RHS merit for its unique features, described as ‘one of the most elegant bamboos, with polished, damson-black mature canes and dark green leaves.’ 

Nigra Black Bamboo is a standout due to its ebony black stems (culms). 

Find out where to buy Black Bamboo Plants in the UK

Read more about it here > Black Bamboo nigra

Black bamboo plants best features

The black bamboo plants are resilient running bamboo varieties. They thrive in variable soil and weather conditions and are tolerant of pests and diseases. 

These stunning bamboos have black culms, or black and brown spots and stripes along the sulcus. 

Their culms are tall, slender and upright with gentle arching foliage. 

They are fully hardy to – 20 degrees Celsius. 

Black bamboos are formidable landscaping plants, also ideal for garden hedging and privacy screening. 

Some cultivars of black bamboo plants also thrive in pots and containers, and other confined outdoor spaces.

What are the different black bamboo plants?

There are over 10 black bamboo plants (cultivars), however, you can find half of them in-store or online within the UK. 

They are obviously called black bamboos because of the predominantly black culms. 

Some bamboo cousins of the black bamboo nigra have green culms with black spots and stripes.

The 4 common black bamboo plants that grow in UK gardens are:

• Black Bamboo Nigra (Phyllostachys nigra)
• Phyllostachys nigra f. henonis
• Phyllostachys nigra 'Megurochiku'
• Tiger Bamboo or simply ‘Bory’ (Phyllostachys nigra ‘Boryana’)

Other lesser-known black bamboo cultivars

Recently, the other lesser-known black bamboo cultivars (such as the Phyllostachys nigra henonis, ‘Boryana' and ‘Megurochiku’) are growing in popularity among curious and enthusiastic bamboo growers. 

Here are some black bamboo cultivars that you may want to find out more about. 

These bamboos can be quite hard to find near you.

• Phyllostachys nigra 'Fulva'
• Phyllostachys nigra 'Hale'
• Phyllostachys nigra 'Othello'
• Phyllostachys nigra 'Han-chiku'
• Phyllostachys nigra 'Tosaensis'

Check out the black bamboo plants for sale at Crocus.co.uk

Cost of Black Bamboo Plants UK

 

How to identify Phyllostachys nigra bamboo plants?

We covered the qualities and features of the cultivars of Phyllostachys nigra in detail in this article. 

For comparisons, follow the links, see the images, and watch the video. Generally, all the Phyllostachys bamboo plants have black or black colourations on the stems. Most are slightly flattened on one side. 

The branches appear in pairs at the node with slim elongated shiny leaves. 

Phyllostachys nigra black bamboo plants have distinctive black culms, but the other Nigra Bamboos have green culms with dark spots or stripes that run along the internodes and sulcus. 

The stem colourations are often prominent in sun. These running bamboos are invasive.

Why use bamboo Root Barrier

Using a bamboo root barrier is essential for containing the rhizomes of invasive plants like the Phyllostachys nigra.

These bamboos are running bamboos, top above the invasive varieties. 

In fact, they will require some sort of barrier, either as raised beds, pots and containers or a trench. 

Create a root barrier before planting running bamboo, unless you are growing them in a contained space. 

If your bamboo does not have a root barrier, here are some places where you can get one. 

The plastic root barriers are formidable – strong enough to stop rhizomes from spreading.

For more on how to maintain black bamboo plants, check out this article. It has details on care and maintenance as we as videos of care and maintenance of bamboo groves.

How to Maintain Black Bamboo Phyllostachys Nigra

 The running black bamboo nigra are resilient plants. They tend to thrive in the UK and are commonly used as privacy screens and for garden hedging, or as pot and container plants. 

These bamboos will require care and maintenance as they grow. 

Use the two tips below to help your plants grow unobstructed.

• For new plants and shoots: Add slug and snail pellets to protect them when your bamboos put out new growths.
• For older plants: tall culms and new tender shoots will require staking. Add mulch and prune where necessary.

We have seen slugs devouring the new plants in one visit. 

The different cultivars of Phyllostachys nigra bamboos are no different, they are prone to slug attacks. 

So, apply the Snail and Slug pellets to stop the slugs from damaging the new growths. 

Staking these tall black bamboo plants is a must. The plant support you provide will encourage the tall plants to grow upright and protect the new tender culms from the wind. 

Furthermore, if you grow the Phyllostachys nigra Black Bamboos in pots, they will require some support. 

Staking them is one option. Another option is to use a rope to tie the culms into a tight grove, providing a neat and upright hedge or screen. 

The ideal time to care for your bamboo is when the new growths are coming out early in Spring to Summer. 

Here is how to grow black bamboo nigra.

Common black bamboo plants in the UK

There are 4 common black bamboo plants that grow in UK gardens. You can find most of them at the Kew's Japanese Bamboo Garden in London.

The common Back Bamboo Nigra can also be seen in many home gardens. It is easy to identify with its black stems.

4 common black bamboo plants:

• Black Bamboo Nigra (Phyllostachys nigra)
• Phyllostachys nigra f. henonis
• Phyllostachys nigra 'Megurochiku'
• Tiger Bamboo or simply ‘Bory’ (Phyllostachys nigra ‘Boryana’)

Click on the links to find out more about them.

What types of care to provide for black bamboo plants?

If you are planning to build a roots barrier or thin out your running bamboo rhizomes and culms, do it in early Spring. 

 Always add the access soil and mulch to the base of the bamboo plants and tidy up before Summer. This will stimulate the plants to grow within weeks. 

The best mulch for the bamboo is bamboo leaves. Rake the leaves and put them back near or around the bamboo. 

The other Phyllostachys bamboo plants have green stems with peculiar spots and stripes colourations. 

These running bamboos are hardy, tall and upright plants, and also invasive. 

They require care and attention to grow well.

All in all, the black bamboo plant is one of the Phyllostachys nigra bamboos, well-known for its spectacular black stems.