In the UK, many hedge trees and shrubs are either evergreen or deciduous. Some lose their leaves in spring whereas others remain evergreen, including the bamboo plants.
What are the fast-growing evergreen hedge plants in the UK? Here we take a look at 6 evergreen, fastgrowing hedge plants. Bamboo, Green Leylandii, Photinia Red Robin, Western Red Cedar, Portuguese Laurel and Beech.
6 fast-growing evergreen hedge plants
Most hedging plants are evergreen except Beech which loses its leaves in Autumn.
The beech tree has tightly packed branches that still provide the hedging cover in Autumn and Winter, except for the greenery.
Of the 6 plants, bamboo is the only grass variety among the fast-growing evergreen hedging plants.
Clumping bamboo plants are low-maintenance plants. They do not spread from the parent plants.
Here is a quick tip on how to propagate and grow clumping bamboo plants.
Propagate clumping bamboo ‘Red Zebra’
This clumping bamboo grows well by clump-base division. It can take 4 – 5 years before this bamboo requires some sort of clump division.
The bamboo’s clump base will expand and cover the spaces where you plant them.
You can also get more plants when they’ve matured.
To propagate new Red Zebra bamboos, separate the bamboo into several divisions and grow them in propagation pots before planting them into holding pots or straight into the garden.
This video shows how we propagate propagating using the three different techniques.
Grow clumping bamboo in containers and barriers
Fargesia murielae ‘Red Zebra’ is a tough bamboo, it will thrive in contained spaces where conditions are suitable.
Its height and spread make it a perfect plant for growing in pots and containers, ideal for making a statement in the front entryway like the driveway, porch or veranda.
Newly planted Red Zebra bamboo will require a good amount of water well.
Also, ensure that the soil remains moist but well-drained until the new plants are rooting.
Fargesia murielae Red Zebra bamboo ideal pot plant
To make the work lighter, always select the right pots before planting your bamboo plants.
The best pots for planting bamboos have stable bases and wide tops. Note that it is often hard work to remove the bamboo when they’ve filled out the contained space.
Here is a Guide to Selecting the Right Pot for planting running and clumping bamboo. Watch the video and find out the best way to grow bamboo plants in the UK.
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.
Fargesia murielae 'Ivory Ibis ' is a clump-forming umbrella bamboo. This bamboo is a standout, it has upright dense culms and ivory evergreen foliage.
It is an ideal choice for a formidable natural hedge or privacy screen.
Bamboo Ivory Ibis is an undemanding bamboo hardy to -25 degrees Celsius and can also tolerate prolonged dry periods. Excellent bamboo for pots and containers, too.
Ivory Ibis bamboo is an ideal plant for privacy screening apartments, balconies, porches or any small outdoor place.
It is also an ideal hedge plant in the garden because you can prune the leaves and new shoots.
You can get more information on bamboo plants, tools and natural bamboo products from the renowned UK Home and Garden retailers we work with.
5 Fargesia murielae bamboos similar to ‘Ivory Ibis’
Finding this bamboo at the local nursery or garden centre can be hard, therefore we provide 5 alternative bamboos that are similar to the ‘Ivory Ibis’.
The similarities are based on 5 important factors: Fargesia bamboo, similar height, similar foliage, and similar hardiness and can be used as a hedging screen.
These bamboos received the RHS Merit Award in the UK and other Bamboo Awards for their notable garden features.
If you are having difficulty selecting bamboo, this group of bamboo plants will not disappoint you.
Working with bamboos
The clumping bamboo plants such as the 'Ivory Ibis' are non-invasive bamboos, however, clumpers in pots and containers will require repotting after 4 or 5 years.
Many bamboo growers will attest to the fact that it is often hard work removing the bamboo from a pot or container when they’ve filled out the space.
To make the work lighter, always select the right pots before planting your bamboo plants.
The Fargesia group of bamboos are generally well-behaved, however, the underground bamboo parts expand around the base.
This clumping habit is visible as the new shoots grow into culms and the underground base buds thicken.
The culms of the Ivory Ibis will definitely require thinning and pruning after the first 3 years because of their dense culm clusters.
This is the ideal time to prune the whole plant and get new plant divisions and bamboo sticks.
Examples of bamboo sticks in use in pots and patio
Fargesia murielae Ivory Ibis
All in all, the Fargesia murielae ‘Ivory Ibis’ is an excellent bamboo for hedging and privacy screens.
Its dense upright culms and thick foliage are the perfect features for creating a natural dense cover.
At G.B.P, our goal is to provide the right information for selecting the right bamboo to grow in the garden and in pots and containers.
Based on our experience, we also offer bamboo growers’’ tips and guides on how to provide the right care and maintenance for bamboo plants.
Bamboo shoots from a small group of bamboo are edible. If you are thinking of growing a bamboo plant and also enjoy the shoots, Incense bamboo is one great option.
It's a great bamboo that does well in waterlogged areas and produces new shoots in abundance. Check out the full info on Incense Bamboo.
Phyllostachys atrovaginata is a massive plant to grow in pots and containers, but its edible shoots and scented leaves are adorable features many bamboo enthusiasts cannot ignore.
Use large heavy-duty container pots to grow this timber bamboo. Note that the new shoots in the second, third and successive years will be reasonably taller than the first shoots.
So, do not be surprised if your Phyllostachys atrovaginata is taller than an average Phyllostachys bamboo in the container pots.
This running bamboo will definitely require repotting within 3 – 5 years.
Plant in the garden
Phyllostachys atrovaginata’s tall dark shoots, thick upright stems and distinct incense are excellent for creating a calm and serene atmosphere outdoors or in the garden.
Also a preferable bamboo for large botanical gardens, woodland forests, walkways and tall privacy screens.
Perhaps it's important to note that the Phyllostachys atrovaginata Incense Bamboo is an invasive Timber Bamboo.
Therefore building a bamboo barrier prior to planting it in the garden is the best thing to do. Here are tips for building a Formidable Bamboo Barrier in the Garden.
Unlike the other running and clumping bamboo, the Incense Bamboo can grow in soggy soil.
This bamboo has long hollow (straw-like) roots that can penetrate deep into the soggy soil, and enable it to absorb vital nutrients it requires to survive.
So, if you want to grow bamboo near a soggy site, the Phyllostachys atrovaginata is the ideal bamboo.
At gardenbambooplants.com, we measured a typical Yellow Bamboo (Phyllostachys Areosulcata Aureculatis) to investigate how fast this bamboo grows in the UK in one growth year.
We found out that it grew 1.43cm per day. This is fast compared to other garden and pot plants.
Also, it can take 3 – 5 years for bamboo to reach maturity.
This is why these plants are sustainable – they grow and regenerate fast.
Other products that have a combination of bamboo and other recycled materials include the stainless steel used on shavers and plastic and silicon suctions used in kids plates.
The development, manufacture and use the bamboo products is a promising start. Users have to be content because, at the least, these products are 90% eco-friendly. They are safe for the environment.
Why use bamboo home accessories?
The bamboo accessories are durable and long-lasting.
One of the best things about bamboo accessories is that you’ll see their true beauty as they mature.
The deep brown colour becomes prominent and gives it a peculiar, but stunning bamboo appearance.
The downside is that bamboo home accessories are susceptible to wear and tear.
In fact, like many other home accessories, they will wear in time. Perhaps it is important to note that bamboo accessories are biodegradable.
And will turn to soil very quickly, whereas the other plastic kitchen accessories will *not* decompose.
Understandably, bamboo and wood products are biodegradable.
Red bamboo plants are a stunning group of plants, though not so common as the black bamboo plants.
Most of the red bamboo plants are from the clumping variety.
Check out these articles for the 5 best read bamboo plants that grow well in the UK, US, Canada, Australia and other parts of the temperate regions where there are four seasons.
Grow red bamboo plants in the garden
Bamboos are evergreen and long-lasting, best grown in sites where they’ll provide a permanent cover such as in the garden as ornamental plants, or along the boundary as hedges and privacy screens.
The red bamboos are a standout.
So, grow them somewhere obvious where you will admire them all year round.
It is a good idea to use root barriers if you are growing the running red bamboo plants because this will stop them from spreading.
Alternatively, grow them in pots. See below why growing bamboo plants in pots is a great idea.
Grow red bamboo plants pot?
The red bamboos are fantastic pot plants. Though these plants do not flower regularly, the red canes are naturally beautiful.
Movable
Most bamboos in pots are not easy to move because they are large and heavy plants.
The red bamboo plants 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
Bamboos are undemanding plants.
You can prune the culms and leave the greenery you want on the potted bamboos, and they’ll keep producing new shoots year on year.
Umbrella bamboo plants have tall stems and ‘dense foliage'.
They are clumping bamboo plants.
The thick arching foliage of these bamboos forms a formidable over-hanging shape like an umbrella, thus the name Umbrella Bamboo.
Their new shoots grow very fast before putting out branches.
These bamboo plants tend to reach a height of about 4 to 6 metres, ideal for heavy top-hedge screening.
For example, these bamboos can be used to provide an evergreen cover (or screen) for boundaries, walls and low buildings.
Here are 5 tall bamboo plants with an average height of 6 metres and produce the evergreen ‘umbrella’ effect.
Umbrella clumping bamboo privacy plants 6 metres
Most umbrella-clumping bamboo plants grow to 6 metres and are much denser than running bamboo.
They thrive in the UK climate.
The bamboo plants listed above are predominantly clump-forming with either thicker culms or produce masses of culms in Spring.
As the name suggests, the clumping bamboo canes (culms) tend to grow into a tight cluster around the parent plant, forming a formidable tight screen.
The foliages of matured umbrella bamboo arch into an umbrella shape.
Unlike the upright bamboos, this special group of bamboos is the best choice for privacy.
Clumping umbrella bamboo plants form thick covers
If you are planting bamboo to provide privacy from a short wall or the neighbour's shed, the clump-forming bamboos are the best options.
However, you may have to buy more than one plant to provide a good cover.
As a rule of thumb, plant the clump-forming bamboo no more than 1.5 metres to give you are dense hedging screen.
Here are the 5 umbrella bamboo plants that form clusters of ‘dense-culms'.
They are ideal for growing in the garden or in pots and containers.
One top tip is to grow these bamboo plants in pots for balcony or patio privacy.
Choose the bamboo according to the height specification - click here to find out more.
Quick links to bamboo plants for privacy and hedging
What kind of bamboo is best for privacy?
Depending on what you like, here are some suggestions of living bamboo plants for creating an ideal privacy space.
Chinese dwarf bamboo plants are great undercover plants.
Most of them prefer shade to part-shaded sites.
They are ideal small bamboos for gardens and pots because they do not take up much space, and are less demanding and low-maintenance plants.
The Chinese Dwarf Bamboo Plants come in different sizes, shapes and colours. They make up less than 10 per cent of the bamboos that we feature on gardenbambooplants.com.
So, what are the Chinese bamboo plants?
This article is a fine collection of small bamboos that thrive in the UK.
5 Dwarf Bamboo Plants to Grow Undercovers
Here are 5 small bamboos to grow as undercover plants. These plants are chosen based on their shade tolerance.
Do not be fooled by the name, this clumping bamboo can grow to 5 metres in height.
Compared to the other Dwarf Bamboos the Weaver’s Bamboo is tall.
3. Bimbo Dwarf Bamboo
Stunning clump-forming ornamental Dwarf Bamboo.
Bimbo has thin green compacted leaves and short culms that form an ‘umbrella’ effect low on the ground. Ideal plant for short hedges, privacy screens, small gardens and confined spaces.
A fantastic evergreen pot or container plant.
4. Fargesia nitida Jiuzhaigou Bamboo
The stems/culms of this spectacular clump-forming dwarf bamboo emerge green, turn deep red and mature to yellowish-orange.
In fact, the change in colours is a response to the amount of light the stems receive.
5. Winter Joy
The Fargesia murielae ‘Winter Joy’ is a hybrid bamboo, cross between ‘Simba’ and ‘Dwarf Fountain’ Umbrella Bamboos.
It has a distinct dark green culm (stem) with red overlays.
Winter joy is hardy, evergreen and non-invasive.
Best for growing in the garden, or in pots and containers.
Generally, the dwarf bamboo plants are ideal ground covers.
They will thrive in part shade to shaded sites. Most of these plants are hardy and grow in cooler climates.
There are different types of bamboo plants. The Chinese dwarf bamboo plants are best for shade, undergrowths and ground covers.
Are Chinese Dwarf Bamboo Plants invasive?
The great thing about these bamboos is that they are small and undemanding. You can find them as both running and clumping bamboos.
The running varieties will spread. Always use root barriers to stop them from invading other spaces. Alternatively, grow them in pot planters.
Clumping varieties are non-invasive. You do not have to worry about spreading.
However, the clumping bamboo bases will expand over time. If this happens, it will require pruning and thinning.
How to Grow Dwarf Bamboo Plants
The three ways to grow bamboo plants are seed propagation, culm cuttings and rhizome separation.
A lesser-known method is called air-layering, which is similar to budding the bamboo branches until they establish roots.
The small bamboo plants grow well by rhizome separation which is more effective than the other methods.
This article (Split Potted Bamboo Plants) explains how to separate the bamboo plants if you buy them in pots. It gives you a good idea about what to do and how to preserve the rhizomes before planting.
In addition, you will need these Hand Tools, take a look.
Where to buy Dwarf 'Clumping' Bamboo Plants?
Check out the UK retailers we listed here where you can get the Chinese Dwarf Bamboo plants.
They come in different size pots.
The bigger pots can give you up to 4 plants if you separate them properly.
Caring for Small Bamboo Plants
The Chinese Dwarf Bamboo Plants will definitely require attention, especially, if they are planted from rhizomes separation.
The plant is under stress after cutting, so provide the care it needs to grow during the early stage. Add water and mulch where or when necessary.
Monitor its growth for the first couple of months or until new shoots and leaves emerge. The emerging shoots are a sign that the roots hairs and rhizomes are healthy under the soil.
You should be happy when this happens.
When is the best time to plant bamboo?
Bamboos are tough and hardy. The small bamboos can withstand temperatures up to minus 25 degrees Celsius.
In the UK, they do not have natural pests apart from slugs, but we observed signs of new bamboo shoots being eaten by rats and or squirrels - see the video.
Slugs do like the new bamboo leaves and shoots, so protect your new plants by adding slug pallets.
The best time to grow bamboo plants is at the beginning of Spring when new growths are prominent.
Chinese dwarf bamboo plants are great outdoor
The Chinese dwarf bamboo plants are great outdoor and indoor plants.
There are many kinds of bamboo plants. Some prefer shade whereas others part-shade and sun. To answer the question Does Bamboo Grow in Shade?
We list 6 bamboos that can grow in shade: 3 are running bamboos whereas the other 3 are clumping.
Follow the links to find out more about the growth requirements and special features of each bamboo in our database.
Six bamboos to grow in shaded sites
There are many bamboos that also prefer shaded sites or undercovers. They range in size and colour.
Let’s take a look at the 6 bamboos you can grow in the shaded sites.
1) Phyllostachys Nuda Bamboo Features
2) Fishpole Bamboo Phyllostachys aurea
3) Phyllostachys Humilis Scottish Bamboo Plants
4) Fargesia papyrifera Blue Dragon
5) Fargesia nitida Pillar fountain bamboo
6) Fargesia murielae Simba Umbrella Bamboo
Bamboo plants for shade and part-shade
The 6 bamboos will tolerate densely shaded sites. For example, under trees and wall covers or planted as pot plants for indoor areas.
At gardenbambooplants.com, we list nearly 100 bamboos that grow well in the UK.
This list is growing as we add more bamboo plants that thrive in the UK to it.
Many home and garden retailers in the UK sell these 6 bamboo plants.
We recommend checking the renowned UK retailers listed herefor your bamboo plants and supplies.
Can you grow bamboo plants in shade - here are 6 bamboo plants that you can grow in shade.
What running bamboos grow in shade?
The running bamboos are an invasive variety because they have running rhizomes that spread along the ground. It is important to use a root barrier before growing them.
Warning: The running bamboo plants are invasive.
Alternatively, grow them in pots to stop the bamboo from spreading in the garden
Always use a bamboo barrier or large heavy-duty pots to grow them.
Can bamboo grow in shade?
Bamboo can grow in shade. The bamboos listed above are some that you can grow in shaded areas or under covers.
One of the peculiar things about bamboo plants is that there are many varieties. Some are running, and others are clumping.
From the 6 bamboo plants that you can grow in shade, we put them into running and clumping to make it easy to find what you want.
What clumping bamboos grow in shade?
The clumping bamboos have rhizomes that tend to form clump clusters. That means that they do not spread, instead, the clumpers will expand around the base in time.
There is no need to worry about spreading, but you may have to prune or thin out the culms to keep them in shape.
Less hardy in winter due to thin leaves and culms.
What to do to address the ‘negatives’?
As mentioned, bamboos are tolerant plants, they can grow in shaded areas.
Apart from the need for sunlight, other factors can exacerbate the problems of growing bamboo in the shade.
For your plants to do well in shade, ensure that the soil is nutrient-rich and well aerated. Prune and thin the old culms. Add mulch to conserve moisture and improve soil aeration.
Where necessary, add the NPK fertilisers or any slow-release fertilisers rich in nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus.
The bamboos’ spread, height and other growth requirements are based on garden conditions, therefore, they will NOT grow to the specifications when in pots.
As a rule of thumb, estimate a growth specification of 50%-75%. For example, a bamboo that grows to a height of 2 metres in the garden condition will grow to a height of 1.5 metres in the pot.
Ideally, use large heavy-duty pots. Remember that the size of the pots will determine how often to re-pot the bamboo.
The larger the better.
Smaller pots will require re-potting in less than two years given how fast bamboos grow.
Bamboos are tough plants but are responsive to prolonged heat and waterlogged areas. Avoid using metal and ceramic pots.
These materials store heat which can affect the underground parts due to heat exposure during the warm summer months.
Your bamboo should be okay if you use a pot that does not store heat.
Heavy-duty plastic pots, treated wood planters, or resin containers and planters will do the job.
Another important factor is drainage.
Use well-drained pots to grow bamboo plants. Avoid any pot that has poor drainage.
The pots should be well-drained so that not too much water is lost in warmer months, and is not waterlogged when it rains.
What are the advantages of growing bamboo in pots?
Bamboo in pots offers tranquillity and creates a calming atmosphere both indoors and outdoors.
You can grow both the running and clumping bamboos in pots, move them around and create an ideal home and garden space.
The clumping bamboos are fantastic for large pots, while they prevent running bamboo rhizomes from spreading.
They also offer flexibility for moving them around. For example, they can be given as presents or moved indoors to decorate patios, balconies and porches.
What are the disadvantages of growing bamboo in pots?
The main worry about growing bamboo is the invasiveness.
More so, it requires ongoing care and maintenance such as pruning, thinning and re-potting.
Pots are great barriers when it comes to stopping bamboo from invading other spaces.
Growing bamboos in pots
The advantages of growing bamboo in pots far outweigh the disadvantages.
The pots are great barriers when growing bamboo plants. So, use large heavy-duty plastic pots.
They are best for growing bamboo plants.
There is no limit to what bamboo you can grow in pots.
You can grow both varieties and enjoy the evergreen plants all year round.
Conclusion (Can you grow bamboo in pots?)
Both running and clumping bamboos are amazing pot plants. Hope the related articles give you an idea about what bamboo you can grow in pots.
They are the fastest-growing plants. Kew Royal Botanic Gardens has one of the largest collections of garden bamboo in the UK.
At Kew’s Tropical Palm House, you’ll see the giant bamboo.
Gigantochloa verticillate Giant Bamboo.
Bambusa ventricosa Buddha's Belly Bamboo.
Bambusa vulgaris – the Common Bamboo.
The three Giant Bamboos are a must-see. Kew Bamboo Garden also has 130 different bamboo growing naturally.
Gigantochloa verticillate Giant Bamboo
Here is what Kew said about the giant bamboo:
The giant bamboo is the largest of all the bamboos. It grows 25-30 metres in the wild, as tall as a tree.
This bamboo is native to Southeast Asia and the Pacific, particularly China and Papua New Guinea.
In the greenhouse at Kew Gardens, this bamboo reached the top of the ceiling and had to be cut.
Bambusa ventricosa Buddha's Belly Bamboo
Another large bamboo in Kew’s Tropical Glass House is the popular Buddha's Belly Bamboo.
Its peculiar shiny green culms are a standout – you will hardly miss it.
The swollen or bulging internodes of its culms resemble Buddha’s fat belly which is why it earns the name Buddha's Belly Bamboo.
The culms are deep dark green smooth and glossy with multiple branches growing at each node.
Bambusa ventricosa (Buddha's Belly Bamboo) is probably the most peculiar-shaped bamboo that also grows in the UK. It has a clumping nature, great as a pot plant or garden plant.
This is by far one of the largest collections of bamboo you will see near London, UK.
The Bamboo Garden is magnificent, quiet calm and soothing. You can wander through the beautiful walkways and the arching bamboo. Or relax and listen to the rustle of bamboo leaves against the wind.
Check out our video and image collectionof the bamboo at Kew’s Tropical Glass House and Japanese Bamboo Garden.
Uses of Giant Bamboo plants
The giant bamboos are so versatile, they earn the name ‘friends of the people’.
The bamboo sticks are used in buildings, paper making, utensils and tools, musical instruments and even for food.
They also protect watershed areas from flooding. In mountainsides, they are important barriers to preventing soil erosion.
However, the giant bamboo natural habitats have now been lost to urbanisation and agricultural land use. Yet, it is often planted in stands as a source of building materials.
Clumping bamboos do not have running rhizomes, instead, the roots are packed around the base forming a clumped base, hence the name clump-forming bamboo.
When separating the clumps, take care to preserve the parent plant.
Bamboo plants can grow from stem cuttings, but it is not as effective as growing bamboo from base separation and rhizome cuttings. It will also take a long time to germinate.
Follow the steps below for successful propagation by stem cuttings.
Step 1: Cut some cuttings from a three or four-year-old bamboo plant at 45 degrees angle.
Each cutting must have at least two nodes and one internode.
Cover the ends of the bamboo cuttings with wax to save them from rotting or drying.
Use rooting hormone
Step 2: Dip the bamboo cuttings in rooting hormone and ensure that the fresh cuts are covered with the hormone before shaking the excess off.
Use good soil!
Step 3: Fill large a pot or container with potting mix or loam soil (mixture of equal parts sand, silt and clay). Make several holes in the soil and plant the culm cuttings.
Depending on the number of cuttings, you may need more than one pot.
Ideally, an 20cm garden pot should hold not more than 6 new culm cuttings.
Water & humidity promote growth
Step 4: Cover the cuttings with a clear plastic bag to keep the soil moist.
Put the pot of newly planted culm cuttings in a warm area, out of direct sunlight.
Water the cuttings to keep the soil moist as water and humidity promote new growth.
Continue early-stage care
Step 5: When you see new shoots, it means the cuttings are putting out roots and rhizomes in the soil.
Continue to water the cuttings until they are ready to move into new pots or planted straight in the garden.