Fertilizers for bamboo plants high in nitrogen

Organic fertilizers help to keep the soil soft and feed the plants at the same time. They are best for bamboo plants.

They love the slow-release fertilizers, yet these plants will also benefit from the soluble quick-release fertilizers in spring when the new shoots are starting to come out.

5 organic fertilizers for bamboo plants

Here are some lawn fertilizers and multipurpose plant food with high nitrogen content that are great for reviving bamboo plants. Click on the links to check out the products.

Slow-release fertilizer high in nitrogen

Miracle-Gro All Purpose (NPK 17-9-11) - A slow-release fertilizer suitable for garden plants and ornamental plants such as bamboo. Apply in spring and it will last till the next spring.

Chempak Yearlong Fertilizer  (15-6-2) - Apply this high nitrogen fertilizer once a year. Ideal for all trees, shrubs and evergreen plants like bamboo plants.

Soluble (quick-release fertilizers) high in nitrogen

Miracle-Gro EverGreen (NPK 22-5-5) - ensure a steady supply of this fertilizer throughout the growing season, especially just before and after the new shoots have come out.

Sportsmaster WSF Spring Summer (28-5-19) - An ideal fertilizer for pastures, contains a high nitrogen content which produces a fast initial effect.

How to identify a fertilizer for bamboo plants?

There are many fertilizers on the market today, but a good lawn or multipurpose garden fertilizer with high nitrogen content is a great option for bamboo plants.

Top tip: The nutrients in fertilizers are given in the ratio of Nitrogen (N) to Phosphorus (P) to Potassium (K), hence they are often called NPK fertilizers. 

This makes it easy to identify the fertilizer that is high in nitrogen and can be seen clearly from the 4 fertilizers listed above.

Add organic compost, manure and mulch

Some popular choices for fertilising bamboo plants are natural compost, manure and organic mulch. 

Add a good amount of compost or mulch early in spring just before the new shoots come out, or at the end of autumn to protect the new plants from winter's cold.

Check out this peat-free compost, ideal for strong root growth in your bamboo plants.

Video: The video below shows how a little bit of mulch can make the bamboo plants happy.

When to give bamboo plants some fertilizers?

You can use a fast-release liquid fertilizer when the bamboo shoots start developing in spring (March-April).  

Also, slow-release fertilizer will do as well, but you should apply it earlier in February-March if you expect warm weather leading into spring and summer.

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.

How to remove bamboo roots from yard [Video]

The best way to remove bamboo from the yard is to dig out the entire bamboo plant or the parts to be removed. 

Bamboo stems are joined to the rhizomes that grow just below the topsoil. By uprooting the rhizomes, you can contain bamboo from spreading.

Note that although the bamboo roots are not deep in the soil, the intricate network of roots and rhizomes is often difficult to deal with using hand tools.

Recommended tools

• Pickaxe/shovel
• Garden rake.
• Pairs of secateurs or garden loppers.
• Pots and containers for holding cuttings.

Buy the best tools for removing bamboo online.

 

How to remove bamboo roots

Step 1: Cut down the culms (stems), remove the branches and store the bamboo canes for future use.

Step 2: The rhizomes grow on the top layer of the soil, so dig down, along with or around the bamboo plant. Cut all the rhizomes and pull them out.

Step 3: You will also have to remove the whole bamboo buds and clumped base. Put a pickaxe through the base of the bamboo and remove them one by one. Use a pair of secateurs or garden loppers to cut the rhizomes into smaller pieces.

Step 4: Remove any soil around the bamboo roots and base of the parent plant. Keep the cutting in direct sun or pour boiling water on them to stop the cutting from growing again.

Related article: 4 non-chemical ways to remove bamboo plants permanently.

 

Tip #1: Cut bamboo stems

Select and cut the bamboo stems (culms), you want to remove, close to the ground. The tools that you choose to use for cutting the culms depend on their sizes.

For the smaller clump-forming and running bamboos, you will require a pair of secateurs or garden loppers. The big bamboo plants will require an electric saw or hand saw to remove and cut the thick culms.

Cut the bamboo stems horizontally (neatly across), close to the node as possible so that you have a nice and neat space to work. 

Do not cut the stem across the note to avoid any pointy ends sticking out.

Collect the use bamboo sticks in the garden.

Tip #2: Dig bamboo roots and rhizomes

If you want to completely kill the bamboo, you must remove all the rhizomes.

Start by digging 20 – 30cm around the bamboo plant to expose the root hairs and rhizomes. (The best tool for this job is the pickaxe). Cut any rhizomes that you see and remove the soil as you dig.

Carefully store the rhizomes cuttings in a large pot or bin for a few weeks before discarding them from your property.

Tip #3: Remove bamboo rhizomes

Bamboo roots do not grow deep into the soil. As a grass variety, the roots and horizontal stems (also called rhizomes) are often found at the top 20 – 30cm of the topsoil.

That does not mean it is easy to remove bamboo roots from your yard.

The root hairs and intertwined rhizomes network under the soil require a lot of digging, cutting, pulling and removing.

Tip #4: Prepare work area

Before starting, inspect the bamboo to understand how much work you can do in one hour and how long it will take to complete it.

Removing bamboo roots is painstaking work if you are doing it yourself, so prepare well for the job. 

The right tools and preparations are important for getting the job done.

Prepare the cuttings collection bins, tools and gloves and anything you may need.

All in all, remove the bamboo stems, branches and leaves. Then, dip up the rhizomes, cut them into smaller bits, and leave them to dry before binning them.

Golden Yellow Cane Bamboo [Phyllostachys vivax f. aureocaulis]

Golden Yellow Cane Bamboo [Phyllostachys vivax f. aureocaulis] 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. This stunning bamboo is an all-rounder, you can grow it as a standalone plant,  garden centrepiece or tall screen. 

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

Buy bamboo plants and root barriers from UK suppliers here.

 

Common Features

• Identification: Phyllostachys vivax f. aureocaulis, Golden Chinese Timber Bamboo, Golden Yellow Cane Bamboo.
• Site: Grows well in full sun to partial shade.
• Soil: Well-drained loam soil, moist.
• Uses: Excellent for hedging, screening or large pots and containers. Do not do well in windy sites.
• Winterhardiness: Hardy to – 15 degrees Celsius.
• Height: a tall bamboo 10 - 12m.
• Spread: running bamboo (behaves like clumping bamboo in a temperate climate), 4 – 6m
• Foliage: Evergreen tall foliage
• Cane colour: spectacular green stripes, yellow, bright to matured dark orangey yellow.

Golden Yellow Cane Bamboo Tall Screen

Golden Yellow Cane Bamboo is an ideal bamboo plant for a tall hedge or natural privacy screen. The tall dense growth and golden yellow bamboo cluster are prominent outdoors.

This large tall bamboo (Phyllostachys vivax f. aureocaulis) is a recipient of the prestigious RHS Merit Awards, one of the award-winning Phyllostachys bamboo plants.

The others include

• 1. Phyllostachys aurea,
• 2. Phyllostachys Aureaculata bissettii, and
• 3. Phyllostachys nigra.

Propagate Golden Yellow Cane Bamboo [Phyllostachys vivax f. aureocaulis]

Although the Golden Yellow Cane Bamboo is a low-maintenance plant, the new growth will require care and attention. 

Slugs can wipe off the fresh leaves in one visit if left unprotected.

If you are propagating bamboo plants either from the rhizome or cane cuttings or planting a recent purchase, protect the new growths by adding Slug and Snail Killer.

Care

The Golden Yellow Cane Bamboo can spread to an average of 6 metres (or more) during a humid Spring or hot Summer. 

This running bamboo needs space to grow. Always grow this bamboo in barriers to stop spreading.

The new rhizomes and canes can reach their full spread and height, respectively, during a warm Spring or hot Summer.

Although Phyllostachys vivax f. aureocaulis varieties are undemanding, a fully grown bamboo will require attention because it's invasive.

The plants thrive in the cooler temperate climate where there is well-drained loamy soil high in moisture and nutrient contents. Like most bamboo plants in the UK, they do not grow well in compacted soil.

Maintain tall bamboo plants

This tall bamboo with dense evergreen foliage is susceptible to heavy snowfall and strong wind. To protect from falling, use strong ropes to tie them back.

You can contain the Golden Chinese Timer Bamboo in large pots and containers. 

This impressive bamboo may not grow to its full height in contained spaces, but planted in nutrient-rich soil with good moisture, it will surely exhibit its best features.

Here is a video to show you how to provide support for tall bamboo.

5 Best Tools for Digging Up Bamboo Roots [VIDEOS]

Many experiences have indicated that digging up clump-forming bamboo or running bamboo is a tedious task. Yet, using the best bamboo digging tools is the key to making a heavy job lighter. 

The bamboo that grows among trees and new concrete structures can be even harder to dig out.  

Find the 5 best tools for removing bamboo roots and rhizomes.

5 bamboo digging tools – recommended

The running bamboo rhizomes and clumping bamboo clump-base are found at the top layer of the soil, it will require a lot of digging, cutting and pulling.

The list of the top 5 Hand Tools (and alternatives) you should have when digging bamboo.

1. Pickaxe (or mattock) – For digging and breaking into the rhizomes (of the running bamboos) and clumps (of the clump-forming bamboos).
2. Wrecking bar (or crowbar) – access the rhizomes and break up the solid clumps.
3. Garden Rake – clear the working area off loose soils and leaves.
4. Pair of Secateurs - cut the root hairs, small culms and rhizomes.
5. Pair of Garden Loppers (or hand saw)– cut the bulky clumps and rhizomes.

 

Correct tool key to a light job

'Lever' is key when removing bamboo

The correct tools make the job easier. If you are planning to dig and remove bamboo plants, you will need all the 5 had tools listed above.

Running Bamboo Plants: 

The rhizomes of the Running Bamboo Plants run horizontally away from the parent plant and also intertwine with other rhizomes, plant roots and anything in their way. 

A long-handled tool with a pointed tip gives you access and provides the lever you need to remove the bamboo deep underground.

Clump-forming Bamboo Plants:

The clump-base of the clump-forming bamboo plants is often tightly packed together, tough and strong. 

The best way to deal with it is to work your way through the clump base from one side and chip off bit by bit until you remove the bamboo.

Perhaps the most important point is to use a long-handled hand tool to give you the leverage you need to uproot the bamboo.

Although, the bamboos do NOT grow deep into the soil. It will require a lot of digging, cutting and pulling.

Dig up bamboo, slow and steady

The hardest part is removing the intertwined rhizomes of the runner bamboo or chipping away the tightly packed clump-base of the clump-forming bamboo.

It is going to be a slow and steady job. So, do not try to get them done in one go if you are working alone. In a case where you want a fast job, get help.

Where you Buy Bamboo Digging Tool: A better tool for digging tough and stubborn bamboo is one that gives you the best leverage. 

Check out this page for more information about the digging tools we used in the videos  and where to buy them.

Our experience digging bamboo

Our running bamboo plants are in great shape providing the evergreen cover over many years. It is always a delight to see the new delicate bamboo shoots in Spring or the old plants dancing in the wind in Summer. Never a dull moment.

But, it is hard work to maintain them. Tedious. Here are some bamboo Grow & Care tips we shared earlier.

• Natural Ways to Remove Bamboo Permanently 
• How to Cut and Remove Bamboo Rhizomes Using Hand Tools

The correct tool is the pickaxe and garden loopers. Highly recommended for anyone wanting to remove or dig up their bamboo plants.

Tools for planting bamboo

Planting a new potted bamboo or growing one from the nursery also requires a good dig. The ground hole has to be deep enough to take the whole plant.

Many bamboo plants come in heavy-duty pots of various sizes, ranging from 10 L pots (26cm diameter top and 22cm depth) to 40 L pots (50cm diameter top and 35.5cm depth.)

Generally, dig an area about twice the Top Diameter and Depth of the pot. A good digging tool makes the job lighter. 

If the soil is compacted and tough, you will need a pickaxe or crowbar. Ideally, a crowbar or spade that is narrow at the tip (such as the grafter and trench digger) will do the job.

Alternative bamboo digging and planting tools

The 5 tools mentioned in this article are all you need to dig and remove the bamboo. 

To recap here are the 5 tools: Pickaxe (or mattock), Wrecking bar (or crowbar), Garden Rake, Pair of Secateurs and Pair of Garden Loppers (or hand saw).

Pickaxe and Wrecking bar are must-haves.

Bamboo Privacy Screen Care and Maintenance Insights

There are two groups of bamboo – the running bamboo and clumping bamboo. 

Bamboo plants can grow at an astonishing rate of 2 - 5cm in a day. In our experiment, we found out that the bamboo we monitored grow 1.43cm in Autumn.

The running bamboo plants grow horizontal underground stems (canes) called rhizomes. They are invasive.

When growing bamboo screens, always have in mind how you will maintain the plants when the need arises.

Garden bamboo privacy screen care insights

Here are three options for ensuring complete control over your garden hedging privacy screens so that the bamboo screens do not spread.

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

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

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

Bamboo privacy screen maintenance

Also, the rhizomes do not grow deep into the soil like other deciduous plants with taproots do. Though the plants are tough to deal with, the privacy screens are maintainable.

If the running and clumping bamboos are left unchecked, they will encroach on other spaces, so it is important to keep them in check. 

These evergreen hardy plants need attention once or twice a year.

If you are growing a new bamboo plant or propagating them from seeds and cuttings, you will find this care guide useful. The guide provides handy tips for propagating bamboo successfully.

Grow bamboo in the right place

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

As a rule of thumb, plant the bamboo at least a metre away from your neighbour’s boundary if there is no raised structure or root barrier.

This is an important space that will provide the access to the bamboo plants as they grow.

Here is an article about ‘how to control the running bamboo plants’ from invading the neighbour’s side. It also provides more information on planting hedging bamboo near patios, pavements and houses.

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
• PART 2: FAST-GROWING EVERGREEN OUTDOOR PRIVACY SCREEN - ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW [WITH IMAGES]
• PART 3: HOW CLOSE TO THE BOUNDARY CAN YOU GROW BAMBOO PLANTS?
• PART 4: BAMBOO PRIVACY SCREEN CARE AND MAINTENANCE
• PART 5: HOW DOES A BAMBOO PLANT GROW? [VIDEO]

 

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.

How to take care of bamboo plants [Video]

Bamboo will require care and maintenance to grow well. In this article, we take a look at how you can take care of your bamboo plants, and when to attend to them.

Build bamboo boots barrier

The roots barrier is essential. 

Both the running bamboo and clumping bamboo will require some sort of barrier, either as raised beds, pots and containers or trench. 

In addition, the running bamboo plants are invasive. Using roots barriers will definitely be a top priority. 

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 penetrating them.

Remove bamboo stems, branches and rhizomes

Bamboo thinning is absolutely necessary when the bamboo outgrows an area either in the garden or in the pot and container. 

Also, thinning running bamboo means reducing the number of culms and rhizomes by digging them out completely. 

Thinning is important because sunlight will reach the inner part of a bamboo plant and promotes growth. 

The young plant will do well when it does not have to compete with the older, more established plants in the stock. 

The best time for thinning bamboo is early Spring, just before any new shoots from the previous year establish themselves. 

It is important to note that thinning bamboo is likely to cause distress to the whole plant. 

To avoid any significant damage to the plant, cover it with access soil, and add mulch and water.

Add mulch

Bamboo plants will grow thick and fast where there is well-drained soil with good moisture. 

It is also good to way add warmth and protect the bamboo from frost and frozen soil in Winter. 

Mulching is important for the soil to retain moisture in Summer, promote new bamboo growth and preserve the plant from Winter’s cold. 

It also gives your garden a neat appearance. 

The best mulch to use is bamboo leaves. They contain silica which is high in nitrogen and nutrients plants need. So rake the bamboo leaves and put them back onto the plant. 

Other options are grass cuttings, tree barks, dead leaves and small twigs. 

You can add organic mulch as and when your bamboo needs it, but the ideal time for mulching is early in Spring or late in Autumn.

Maintain bamboo plants

Bamboo is a tough plant, however, there are two ways to protect the new shoots. 

Slug attacks

Firstly, the new plants are prone to slug attacks. 

In fact, slugs love the new bamboo leaves and shoots. They can devour the plants in one visit, this happened to one of our new bamboos. 

If you see any new growth, add Slug and Snail pellets to protect them. 

Staking new shoots

Secondly, the tall bamboo and new shoots will require staking. 

This stem support encourages the shoots to grow upright and protect them from the wind. 

Staking the plants is important if you grow bamboo in pots or as windbreaks. 

You can use bamboo sticks and garden rope to tie bamboo as they grow. 

The ideal time to stake your bamboo is when the new growths are coming out. They will need this support.

Taking care of bamboo plants outdoors

If you are planning to build root barriers or thin out the bamboo rhizomes and culms, do it in early Spring. 

After attending to your bamboo, always add the access soil and mulch to the base of the bamboo plants, and tidy up the base of the bamboo before Summer to stimulate new growths. 

Here are helpful tips for taking care of (and growing) bamboo plants. 

1. How to take care of bamboo plants in pots and containers? 

2. How to propagate bamboo from seeds and bamboo cuttings? 

3. How to cut bamboo plants? 

4. Bamboo removal tools you should have

Learning or knowing how to take care of your bamboo plants in the garden or in pots and containers is vital. 

All in all, thinning, pruning, mulching and protecting your bamboo are all significant aspects of bamboo care for better plants. 

We hope this article helps you. Let us know what you think in the comment below.

Bamboo digging tools UK

It could be tricky to work with bamboo at any time of the year. And, it can be hard work to maintain a bamboo grove. 

Here are tips and a video that will help you choose the right tool and find the right time to maintain your bamboo plants.

When is the best time to maintain bamboo plants? 

You can remove bamboo plants at any time. But to maintain your plants, you've got to do it when the bamboo growth is prominent, especially in Spring and Summer.

Early Spring and late Summer are the best times to maintain your bamboo plant. 

It is an ideal time for thinning, pruning, mulching and applying fertilisers.

It is also the ideal time to remove the bamboo rhizome and dead plants.

Bamboo digging tools and care materials

Here are some tools and materials that you will need for thinning, pruning, mulching, and generally maintaining your bamboo.

Tools: (Buy bamboo digging tools at B&Q DIY)

• Crowbar or pick axe
• Garden fork
• Shovel
• Pair of secateurs
• Pair of garden loppers

Materials: (Check out the materials at YouGarden UK)

• Garden ropes
• NPK fertilisers
• Mulch
• Roots barrier

Here is a complete list of UK retailers where you can buy bamboo digging tools and supplies.

Choose bamboo digging tools

Working with bamboo is tough work, see the video. So, choose the tools that will lighten the work. The best hand tool for removing bamboo, in our experience, is a pick axe or crowbar. 

If you have an electric saw, you should cut your work in half. It is probably the best tool to have when removing bamboo plants. 

If you have a large bamboo grove, seek help.

 Bamboo plant is a perennial evergreen 

The Bamboo plant is a perennial evergreen and retains its foliage all year round, including its culms, sheaths and branches. 

The underground nodes, clumps, roots hairs and rhizomes will remain fresh though not much activity takes place. 

 

So, use the right tool to maintain your bamboo plants.

Common Cultivars of Phyllostachys aurea bamboo plants

Phyllostachys aurea bamboo varieties are resilient running bamboos that grow well in shade, part shade and sun and in variable soil conditions. 

They have spectacular shiny slim leaves with slender culms that mature to a peculiar golden yellow, or sometimes green. 

These bamboos are commonly called Fish-pole Golden bamboo plants because of the colour and use of the canes. 

In the UK, they are perfect garden sticks.

Do you know there are several varieties of Phyllostachys aurea?

Cultivars of Phyllostachys aurea bamboo plants

Many garden centres and online marketplaces like eBay and Amazon sell the Phyllostachys aurea bamboo without indicating the exact variety. 

When you buy a phyllostachys aurea bamboo, it can be anyone of these 5 plants.

But you do not have to worry. 

If you know these simple variations, you can identify the different Phyllostachys aurea cultivators. 

Here are quick tips to help you with the four Phyllostachys aurea cultivars.

1. Phyllostachys aurea ‘Koi’: This is the popular variety among the Phyllostachys aurea group, also known as the Golden Koi Bamboo. It has bright yellow canes with green stripes just above the branches. Its features are opposite of ‘Flavescens Inversa’.
2. Phyllostachys aurea ‘Flavescens Inversa’: This variety has shiny green culms that are flattened where the branches are. Flavescens Inversa’ is the opposite of ‘Koi’ and has stunning yellow stripes just above the green branches.
3. Phyllostachys aurea 'Takemurai': This Fish-pole Golden Bamboo will turn golden yellow very quickly compared to its other cousins. It is smaller with broad leaves, has shorter internodes and produces dense arching foliage. It tends to behave more like clumping bamboos in cooler climates.
4. Phyllostachys aurea ‘Holochrysa’: This Fish-pole Golden Bamboo grows much larger and taller than its other cousins. ‘Holochyrsa’ is sometimes mistaken for Phyllostachys Vivax due to its height and stem colouration, but Vivax is a Timber Bamboo and much bigger in comparison.

Phyllostachys aurea ‘Flavescens Inversa’ (R) | Sleder Tall Fish-pole Bamboo Sticks

Common features of Phyllostachys aurea bamboo plants

We covered the qualities and features of Phyllostachys aurea in detail in this article, the Fish-pole Golden bamboo. 

Generally, their stems have thick cell walls. The branches appear in pairs at the node with slim elongated shiny leaves. 

Phyllostachys aurea cultivars have light green stems, which gradually turn yellow when the bamboo mature, except for the green culm Phyllostachys aurea ‘Flavescens Inversa’. 

The green and golden yellow stem colourations are often prominent in sun. 

Although these running bamboos are invasive, they are ideal for gardens and can be well contained in small spaces. 

They are perfect for tall garden hedging and privacy screening or for planting in pots and containers.

When to maintain bamboo Phyllostachys aurea?

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 bamboo plants is bamboo leaves. Rake the leaves and put them back near or around the bamboo – here is why the bamboo leaves are better mulch. 

Finally, you can identify the Phyllostachys aurea from the stem and colour variations before buying it. 

You don’t have to wait until your Phyllostachys aura bamboo grows big to find out. 

Use the identifiable features in this article to find out and provide ongoing care and maintenance for your Phyllostachys aurea, the Fish-pole Golden Bamboo.

Know more about Phyllostachys aurea bamboo

The Fish-pole Golden Yellow Bamboo is one of my favourite bamboo plants. 

When you know this bamboo plant personally, you'll understand why it is popular among many bamboo growers in the UK.

We created a list of some top UK bamboo sellers online. Check them out on our website.

Its stems are great garden sticks. 

Bendable, you can make any shape with it. 

Re-usable, you can use a stick for many years.

Here is more to learn about this bamboo plant:

• Why is Phyllostachys aurea called Fish-pole Golden Bamboo Plant?
• Common Cultivars of Phyllostachys aurea bamboo plants
• How to maintain Phyllosyachys Aurea in the UK

Main Parts of a Bamboo Plant

Bamboos are members of the grass family. 

They are common in the temperate and tropical zones mainly in Asia, Central and South America and the Pacific region. 

The bamboo’s woody stems grow fast. 

Like the other grass species, bamboos have hollow stems, and slender (bladed) leaves that form formidable evergreen foliage.

 

Parts of a bamboo plant

This outline will help you to identify the 10 common parts of a bamboo plant. 

In fact, knowing the different parts is important for understanding your bamboo plant. 

Let’s take a quick look at these parts starting from the ground up.

Rhizomes

Bamboo rhizomes are common in both running and clumping bamboos. 

In the running bamboos, the rhizomes are also known as the horizontal underground stems. As the name implies, the rhizomes run along the ground and spread aggressively. 

In the clumping bamboos, the rhizomes tend to keep close together and form tight bases or clumps, hence the name clumping bamboos. 

The rhizomes are the ‘engine rooms’ where a bamboo plant derives its ‘power’ and ‘energy’ for growth and development.

Bamboo Roots

Bamboo roots are not rhizomes. 

The roots, feeding roots or root hairs, are the thin underground tendrils that grow into the soil, usually from the rhizome nodes. 

The roots are vital for nutrient and water uptake and for supporting the whole bamboo plant.

Bamboo Leaves

Bamboo leaf and foliage are often used interchangeably to mean the same thing, however, there is a slight difference. 

A leaf is the single green vegetative part of the bamboo that appears on the branch, whereas foliage refers to a cluster of leaves.

Bamboo growers say, ‘there are lots of green leaves on the bamboo’ or alternatively they say ‘this evergreen foliage is pretty'. That latter sounds right, hey!

Either way, the bamboo leaves create notable evergreen foliage that appears all year round.

Of course, the leaves are also vitally significant for photosynthesis and transpiration in bamboo plants.

Bamboo Culms

Bamboo culms are often referred to as bamboo stems or canes. 

The culms start off from the ground as tender shoots. 

The culms are cylindrical and have nodes between two internodes. 

Bamboo culms are usually hollow with different thicknesses. 

The lower parts of the bamboo culms are the culm base and culm petiole which are found either underneath the ground or just above it.

Parts of a running bamboo

The running bamboos have noticeably long-running rhizomes with pointy tips, also called the Leptomorph rhizomes and can grow over a considerable distance.

Dia: Adapted from Bamboos by C.Recht & M.F. Wetterwald

Parts of a clump-forming bamboo

The rhizomes of the clumping bamboos are stout, and thick and grow upwards from the parent plants, also called the Pachymorphs rhizomes. 

Usually, the base culms are much thicker than the stem, compact as they grow upward, forming solid tight clumps. Dia: Adapted from Bamboos by C.Recht & M.F. Wetterwald

Importance of knowing the parts of a bamboo

As mentioned earlier, there are many different groups of bamboo cultivars. 

The common bamboos we know in the UK are the clump-forming and running bamboos. 

The running and clumping bamboo plants have different parts which are important when it comes to identifying them. 

This is vital especially when reading material or working with bamboo. 

We hope that this information gives you some ideas about the parts of a bamboo plant.

Bamboo Grow and Care

We have a lot of useful materials as well as bamboo features that you may find useful. 

Check out the main menu, or related articles below for more information.

1. Working with Bamboo - Digging Tools
2. Separating Bamboo Tips: How to split bamboo plants?
3. Bamboo Care: How to take care of bamboo plants?
4. How to Grow Bamboo in Pot and Container Planters
5. Bamboo Privacy Screen for Balcony, Deck, Patio or Porch

If you are looking for info on a specific bamboo, why not leave a comment below? 

We may be able to help. Or alternatively, we will refer you to the right place where you can get the right help. 

Follow us on Twitter and YouTube where we are active.

How to Dig a Narrow Trench Bamboo Root Barrier?

Digging a narrow trench 30cm to 50cm deep around the bamboo plant can be the first way to stop bamboo from spreading.

Bamboo rhizomes do not grow deep into the soil. That's why a narrow trench will do the job.

The trench will help you to easily spot the rhizomes as they grow out so that you can trim them before they reach other spaces. 

This may not be the best way to stop the rhizomes from spreading, but it is effective for spotting the rhizomes as they grow out.

A narrow trench works effectively as a root barrier.

Spring is the best time to check the trench, clear any leaves and dirt and trim the rhizomes. 

we listed four other containment methods for those homeowners who may have inherited bamboo or others that have not placed a barrier before planting the bamboo. 

You'll find them useful:

• 1] Build a raised bed
• 2] Dig a trench as a bamboo root barrier
• 3] Use pots and containers as root barriers
• 4] Use contained built structures as root barriers
• 5] Best way to grow running bamboo plants (plastic root barriers)

For the benefit of bamboo growers and homeowners, it is perhaps important to either build bamboo barriers prior to planting bamboo in the garden.

Top tip for planting bamboo plants

Before planting the running or clumping bamboos, you should build a barrier especially when growing them as hedging plants. 

This is an important containment measure because as the runners and clumpers grow, they’ll either spread or expand, respectively. 

Barriers can be root barriers, trenches, raised beds or contained structures – any that works for you. Lay root barriers around matured bamboo plants.

The problem with bamboo invading other spaces is due to a lack of care and attention. Bamboo like other plants will grow as long as the conditions are ideal. 

Many bamboo growers are using the bamboo root barriers successfully. These barriers are often put in place before or after planting.

Where to buy root barriers for bamboo in the UK?

We would recommend using the tough plastic bamboo root barrier when planting the running bamboo plants. 

Also, it is a good practice to use root barriers when planting the Giant Timber Bamboo Plants and Phyllostachys varieties.

Here is a list of renowned UK retailers where you can get the recommended root barriers and bamboo care and maintenance accessories from.

It is important to create a bamboo barrier when you are planting the running bamboo. This will save you a lot of work when your plants mature.

Tall Bamboo Phyllostachys Parvifolia Loves Shade and Full Sun

Phyllostachys parvifolia is a tall bamboo that can grow to over 8m in temperate or subtropical conditions. This running bamboo has tall upright culms with thin-walled internodes. 

Its shoot has a purplish tint over brown sheaths giving it a rather calm slender appearance. The shoots can grow 5m to 6m before putting out branches. 

It is an invasive bamboo. Grow in contained barriers, or in pots and containers. An ideal option for tall screens and garden hedges.

General description

• Name: Phyllostachys parvifolia.
• Foliage: Evergreen
• Culm: Upright, woody thin-walled.
• Height: 8 - 12m, tall bamboo.
• Spread: Running bamboo, invasive.

Growth requirement

• Site: Part shade to full sun, temperate/subtropical bamboo
• Soil: Well-drained moist or damp soil.
• Hardiness: – 10 to –5 degrees Celsius.
• Use: Woodland forest, walkway, large garden hedge, tall privacy screen.

Different ways of growing running bamboo plants

How to propagate running bamboo Phyllostachys parvifolia?

In the UK, many growers use Rhizome Cuttings to propagate the running bamboo successfully. 

You can also use Culm Cuttings or Bamboo Seeds to propagate Phyllostachys parvifolia. 

Seeds are often hard to find because bamboos can flower once every 10 – 20 years. 

This bamboo, in particular, relies on wind pollination, unless it is hand-pollinated it can be really hard to get the seeds. 

If you are lucky to have a rare bamboo seed, take extra care to grow them. 

Check out this step-by-step guide on How to Grow Bamboo from Seeds.

Video Tips for propagating tall bamboo from seed

Buy Running Bamboo for screening and hedging

Phyllostachys parvifolia bamboo is an ideal privacy screen for apartments, balconies, porches or any small outdoor space. 

It is also an ideal garden hedge plant because you can prune the leaves and new shoots to give it a neat appearance. 

Here are some great places where you can buy the running bamboos for screening and hedging.

Running bamboo types similar to Phyllostachys parvifolia

Finding tall running bamboo at the local nursery or garden centre can be hard. 

Therefore we provide 5 alternative bamboos that are similar to the Phyllostachys parvifolia. 

The similarities are based on 5 important factors: the type (either running or clumping), height, foliage, hardiness and use. 

Details for each bamboo can be found through the links provided, click for more information.

1. Green Bamboo Phyllostachys bissettii
2. Slender Weaver’s Bamboo Bambusa Gracilis
3. Edulis Moso Bamboo Phyllostachys pubescens
4. Giant Timber Bamboo Phyllostachys Bambusoides
5. Golden Chinese Bamboo Phyllostachys Vivax Aureocaulis

Tall Bamboo Phyllostachys Parvifolia Loves Shade and Full Sun

All in all, Phyllostachys parvifolia is a fantastic tall subtropical bamboo plant. 

This tall running bamboo is perfect for large ornamental gardens, woodland forests, walkways and tall privacy screens.

It will thrive in pots and containers where the soil is well-drained and moist. 

Find out HOW TO MAINTAIN BAMBOO PHYLLOSTACHYS PARVIFOLIA

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. 

You can see most of our work on YouTube.

How to maintain invasive running bamboo Phyllostachys parvifolia

Running bamboo plants are resistant to harsh conditions. However, if you see that your running bamboo plants' leaves are turning yellow are dying, you must act fast to save them.

A little care and maintenance will save your plant from dying.

 

How to care for dying running bamboo?

The tall running bamboo is susceptible to frost, frozen soils and poor growing conditions. 

And especially, new plants will need attention to grow and establish themselves in the first and second years. 

 So, how can you care for the dying running bamboos? 

Often plants that come in pots have lots of water and tend to thrive on plant food in the nursery. 

It is perhaps important to check the soil if you have re-potted your bamboo. 

Importantly, ensure that there is good soil and that the growing pot is not waterlogged. This could be the main reason why the leaves are turning yellow. 

Another reason why your bamboo plants are dying can be attributed to the soil where the plants are growing. Check this article for the best soil for growing bamboo. 

If you are satisfied that you’ve done the right thing, but your bamboo is still dying the last option is to dig the whole plant and repot it. 

Also work out whether you’ve planted the bamboo in the right site - shade, part shade or sun. 

 You could potentially lose the whole plant if you do not do anything.

In most cases, bamboo yellowing and dying are due to poor soil, waterlogged area, unconducive weather or unsuitable site. 

How to maintain invasive running bamboo

Bamboos, like other plants, will require attention to grow well. 

For the best result, maintain your running bamboo, Phyllostachys parvifolia. 

Prune and add mulch when your plants grow big.

Prune bamboo

Pruning bamboo is intensive work compared to thinning bamboo. 

Dig and remove the parts of the bamboo that have outgrown the allocated space. 

This is an ideal time to take the bamboo divisions for replanting and getting bamboo sticks for use in the garden.

Add mulch to bamboo grove

Mulching is a highly recommended care and maintenance job. 

It will keep the soil moist and protect the bamboo from frost and frozen soils. 

The bamboo leaves are fantastic mulch since they contain silicon which is naturally high in nitrogen. 

In addition, tree barks or other organic mulch rich in moisture are also good for bamboo plants.

The best time for mulching and fertilising is early in Spring before the new bamboo shoots come out, or late in Autumn when you expect cold Winter.

Buy Running Bamboo for screening and hedging

Phyllostachys parvifolia bamboo is an ideal privacy screen for apartments, balconies, porches or any small outdoor space. 

It is also an ideal garden hedge plant because you can prune the leaves and new shoots to give it a neat appearance. 

Here are some great places where you can buy the running bamboos for screening and hedging.

Yellow Cane Bamboo Plants UK

In this article, we take a look at the question many of our readers ask - what yellow bamboo plants can I grow in pots? 

5 Yellow Cane Bamboo Plants that will thrive in contained spaces like pots and containers. These bamboos are also popular in the UK. 

So let’s find out what these bamboos are and why you should grow them in pots.

Popular bamboo plants UK

There are two types of bamboo plants – the running bamboos and the clumping bamboos. 

We have details of over 70 bamboo plants on GardenBambooPlants.com. 

There, you'll find a fine collection of bamboo plants that do well in the UK, including the Common Green-culm Bamboos and Black Bamboos.

Check out all the collections of Yellow Bamboo and Red Bamboo

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.

 

1. Bamboo Phyllostachys Sulphurea Viridis
2. Phyllostachys aureosulata ‘Aureocaulis’
3. Golden Yellow Chinese Timber Bamboo Vivax
4. Fishpole Golden Bamboo (Phyllostachys Aurea)
5. Golden Groove Bamboo (Phyllostachys aureosulata ‘Spectabilis’)

These links provide an in-depth collection of the features, growth requirements and care tips for each of the bamboos mentioned. 

The featured articles here will give you a better understanding of the height, spread and other specific details for growing the bamboo plants.

What are the yellow cane bamboo cultivars that grow in the UK?

 We feature over 70 bamboo plants. Most of the running and clumping bamboos thrive in the UK conditions. 

You can find out more about them by using the three navigation methods here.

• Use the search bar on the right.
• Check out the top Menus.
• Click here – running bamboos vs clumping bamboos.

All in all, the golden yellow cane bamboo plants are adorable. 

They are undemanding when grown in pots. 

They provide a calm and warm atmosphere in the outdoor spaces and in the garden. 

The benefits of growing the 5 yellow cane bamboos in large pots outweigh the fact that they are invasive.

10 Questions about bamboo plants you should know before growing them

Bamboo plants are adorable. They are evergreen, fast-growing and are fantastic options for traditional hedges and screens.

But, many gardeners ask why these lovely plants are often hard to deal with.

We put together the top 10 questions asked by many gardeners and homeowners for you. 

Bamboo plants for Sale UK

1. Q. I want to grow bamboo, but they are invasive. What should I do?

A. Many homeowners and gardeners are worried that bamboos are invasive.  There are two varieties of bamboo plants. The running bamboos are invasive whereas the clumping bamboos are not invasive.

In addition, you can use bamboo root barriers or pots and still enjoy all the benefits of growing bamboo either in the garden or in pots. 

Bamboo plants can be a problem if left unchecked for 2 – 3 years as many large plants do. 

This is often the case due to neglect or when someone inherits bamboo from a previous owner. 

Perhaps it is important to note that bamboo plants are great pot plants, undemanding and providing the best natural covers. 

But to keep them in good shape, they’ll need attention. 

2. Q. How can I grow bamboo plants from cuttings?

A. Generally, though bamboo plants are undemanding, they will require your attention especially when grown in pots. 

So, prepare the pots and soil prior to growing the new plants.

• A large pot is necessary for bamboo as they are large plants. As they grow up and outwards, they’ll also expand at the bottom. So, a large pot or planter is ideal for growing them.

• Use well-drained and moist soil. All the bamboo plants we feature on GardenBambooPlants.com require well-drained and moist soil to grow well. Here is a detailed article on the best soil for growing bamboo and how to make it.

3. Q. When is the right time to grow bamboo plants?

A. The best time to plant bamboo is early in Spring, or around March. 

These are ideal times because the new shoots will be prominent. 

Importantly, the new bamboo plants in the pots will require attention. 

Keep a watch when they put out the new shoots so that the slugs do not destroy them.

4. Q How many bamboo cultivars to grow in the UK?

A. We feature over 70 bamboo plants. 

Most of the running and clumping bamboos thrive in the UK conditions. 

You can find out more about them by following the three navigation on this website.

• Use the search button on the right.
• Check the top Menus.
• Click here – running bamboos vs clumping bamboos.

5. Q. What kind of bamboo is best for the garden?

A. Clumping bamboo varieties are great garden plants, they spread more slowly and gradually. 

In the garden, they can be used as ornamental or patio pot plants. 

Fargesia Simba and Pleioblastus Distichus are the best for garden centrepieces.

6. Q. Is bamboo legal in the UK?

A. There are currently no restrictions on planting bamboo in the UK. 

The UK Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (Updates 11 December 2014, now the Guidance to Invasive Non-native Plants) does not classify bamboos as an invasive species.

 

7. Q Can bamboo grow in pots and containers?

A. You can grow both Running and Clumping bamboo in pots and containers. 

Their growth and duration are limited to the size of the pots and will require care or repotting after 3 – 5 years.

In-depth Answer: Here is an article we wrote about the Best Bamboos for Pots.

8. Q. Does bamboo grow in shade?

A. Although most varieties of running and clumping bamboos like sunlight, they can also grow in shades. 

Some varieties of clump-forming bamboos are best for partial and full-shaded areas. 

When planting a variety of clump-forming plants to grow in the share, ensure that the soil is well-drained.

9. Q. How much water does bamboo need?

A. Old bamboo plants have natural water storage capacity through their hollow canes/culms and rhizomes (roots). Their deep roots and long canes will be able to store water and become drought resistant.

A. New bamboo will need water to grow until the roots and culms are well established. Water generously, but not too much water to avoid waterlogging. Lack of water or too much water can kill them.

10. When is the right time for pruning bamboo plants?

A. Summer checks: In the Summer, the plants would have grown to full height, and the rhizomes have reached far and wide or packed in clumps. 

Prune the culms and rhizomes, but not an ideal time to grow or re-pot the bamboos they may not survive the cold in Winter.

A. Spring checks: In the early Spring, the new shoots are an indication of how far the plants have grown and how healthy they are. This gives you an ideal opportunity to prune, re-pot or dig out the intruding rhizomes and canes.

Bamboo plants for sale UK

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

The red bamboo plants are a stunning addition to the garden. 

They are also ideal pot plants. 

The redness in new shoots and culms and change of colourations make these bamboos a standout.