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.
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.
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.
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’.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Care is an important element of growing plants in the garden. Phyllostachys aurea bamboo plant (also known as the Fish-pole Golden Yellow Bamboo) will require care and maintenance as they grow.
We created a list of some top UK bamboo sellers online. Check them out on our website.
Care for Phyllostachys aurea
The running bamboos are resilient plants. They tend to thrive in the UK and are commonly used as privacy screens and for garden hedging.
However, these bamboos will require care and maintenance as they grow. Use the two tips below to help your plants grow unobstructed!
Firstly, add Slug and Snail pellets to protect them when your bamboos put out new growths.
Secondly, tall culms and new tender shoots will require staking.
Protect new bamboo shoots
We have seen slugs devouring the new plants in one visit.
So, apply the Snail and Slug pellets to stop the slugs from damaging the new growths.
Tie new shoots upright
The support you provide will encourage the tall plants to grow upright and protect the new tender culms from the wind.
If you grow the Phyllostachys aurea bamboos in pots, they will require some support. Staking them is one option.
Another option is 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.
If you have problems dealing with bamboo in the garden or in containers, here is a detailed guide that will help you to deal with the common bamboo problems.
Buy Phyllosyachys Aurea
If you are wondering where to to buy Phyllosyachys Aurea, check out the list of UK retailers.
You can buy the plants online on at any of these sellers near you.
Root barriers, essential for maintaining Phyllosyachys aurea
The root barrier is essential for containing the rhizomes of invasive plants like the Phyllostachys aurea.
They 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.
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.
Phyllostachys aurea bamboo plant is one of my favourite bamboos. Its stems are small, tall, bendable and strong. The stems are perfect fishing poles. In the UK, they are ideal garden sticks.
The Phyllostachys aurea bamboo plants have thick inner stem walls which means the stems are strong but flexible.
The stems have been used as fishing poles in China and other parts of Asia and the Pacific regions for centuries. That is why the Phyllostachys aurea bamboo has been called the Fish-pole Golden Bamboo.
Today many gardeners are using the tough Fish-pole Golden bamboo canes as sticks for staking plants in the garden and pots.
Their tough and flexible canes are ideal for making climbing frames and sticks for pot plants and other garden plants that needed support.
We created a list of some top UK bamboo sellers online. Check them out on our website.
Phyllostachys aurea in UK Garden
Video of fish-pole bamboo in our garden
Uses of Phyllostachys aurea called Fish-pole Golden Bamboo Plant
Here are some ways in which we used the Phyllostachys aurea Fish-pole Golden Bamboo Plant in the garden - visit our YouTube channel for more videos on the uses of bamboo sticks in the garden.
Tomato plants trellis frame
Garden Fruit Netting
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.
The running bamboos have noticeably long-running rhizomes with pointy tips, also called the Leptomorph rhizomes and can grow over a considerable distance.
Here is the diagram of the parts of a running bamboo plant.
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.
Comparing running and clumping bamboos can give you a better idea about these two varieties.
However, it is also best to know their standout features. So, what is running bamboo and how can bamboo growers identify it?
Generally, a running bamboo has ‘running rhizomes’. The rhizomes are underground stems that grow (or run) along the ground, hence the name running bamboos or runners.
It is quite challenging to identify the exact type of running bamboo unless you have enough time, botanical knowledge and are curious to find out.
Also, it can be tricky to identify most of the bamboo cultivars by their appearances.
To help you, here are 5 rhizome facts for beginners to use when selecting a running bamboo or identifying them.
The Phyllostachys nigra Black Bamboo, though an invasive bamboo, can also behave like clumping bamboo in the cooler temperate area of the UK, US, Canada and Australia.
Like other running bamboos, the Black Bamboo can spread quickly if left unchecked.
Generally, there are lots of bad stories about growing running bamboo in the garden because of its invasiveness. But they are great plants if you look after them well.
Many bamboo growers prefer the runners because they are the option for a quick and long-lasting solution for hedging and privacy screening, as well as pot plants or for planting in contained spaces.
Their evergreen dense foliage, different options for height and spread and fast-growing habits make them the ideal choice.
It will require care and attention, either as new plants or in Spring when the new growths are prominent.
In addition, mature plants can be difficult to remove when left unchecked for 2 to 3 years.
The growing benefits of growing running bamboo definitely outweigh its invasiveness.
Phyllostachys and Pleioblastus varieties are popular running bamboos. They have a spectacular stem and sheath colourations.
One of them is the spectacular Phyllostachys nigra – the Black Bamboo. We feature many of these bamboos here at G.B.P. Here are some names that you may be familiar with.
1. Phyllostachys nigra (4 Cultivars of P. nigra)
2. Phyllostachys nuda (Snow Bamboo)
3. Phyllostachys humilis (Scottish Bamboo Plants)
4. Phyllostachys aurea (4 Cultivars of P. Aurea)
5. Phyllostachys vivax Aureocaulis (Golden Chinese Bamboo)
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.
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.
Phyllostachys flexuosa is stunning bamboo with yellow and green culms, slender arching branches and evergreen foliage. Also known as Sinuate Bamboo or Qiuganzhu.
Landscapers may find Phyllostachys flexuosa useful as this bamboo is low maintenance and ideal for privacy screening and hedging.
It's an invasive running bamboo and therefore a root barrier should be used to contain its spread.
Phyllostachys flexuosa can grow to 6 metres and spread 2 metres.
It may not grow to its maximum height and spread when grown in contained spaces.
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 flexuosa is taller than an average Phyllostachys bamboo in the container pots.
This running bamboo will definitely require repotting within 3 – 5 years.
Cultivate in the garden
Phyllostachys flexuosa’s evergreen foliage, arching stems and elongated branches are ideal for creating a calm and serene atmosphere outdoors or in the garden.
It is also a preferable bamboo for privacy screens and hedging.
Perhaps it is important to note that the Phyllostachys flexuosa (Sinuate Bamboo) is an invasive bamboo, therefore building a bamboo barrier prior to planting it in the garden is the best thing to do.
Like the other running bamboos, the Sinuate Bamboo prefers well-drained, moist soil.
Read about the Best Soil for Growing Bamboo
Loam soil for growing bamboo cuttings
Propagate running bamboo Phyllostachys flexuosa
Many UK bamboo growers use Rhizome Cuttings to propagate the running bamboo successfully.
You can also use Culm Cuttings or Bamboo Seeds to propagate Phyllostachys flexuosa.
Seeds are often hard to find because bamboos rarely flower.
If you are lucky to have a rare bamboo seed, take extra care to grow them. Here is the step-by-step guide on How to Grow Bamboo from Seeds.
Buy Phyllostachys Bamboos in the UK
Phyllostachys flexuosa bamboo is ideal for a mini bamboo forest, woodland, botanical garden or tall privacy screen.
It is also edible bamboo, you can grow it in large heavy-duty container pots and enjoy the shoots.
Here are some great places where you can buy the running and clumping bamboos in the UK.
If the bamboo is not available, please contact the Garden Shops directly or message us and we'll be happy to help find it for you.
Bamboos similar to Phyllostachys flexuosa
Finding the right Phyllostachys Bamboo at the local nursery or garden centre can be tricky. We list 5 other bamboos that are similar to the ‘Phyllostachys flexuosa’.
The similarities are based on 5 important factors: the type (either running or clumping), height, foliage, hardiness and use.
The running bamboos have rhizomes that grow away from the parent plants. That is why they are often referred to as invasive bamboos.
The clump-forming bamboo plants are non-invasive. As the name implies, the rhizomes are compact at the base, forming clumps.
You can grow both varieties and enjoy them.
There is no need to worry if you grow them right.
Find out how to grow running bamboos without worrying about their invasiveness.
How to grow running bamboos in the garden
You can grow running (invasive) bamboo plants in the garden, such as hedges, privacy screens, pot and container bamboos, bamboo for sticks and balcony screens.
There are hundreds of bamboo plants that grow well in the UK.
Each bamboo is suitable for gardens and can be used for different purposes.
The running bamboo can be a concern because of the potential impacts on the other structures.
Here at gardenbambooplants.com, we advocate for planning before planting.
This means taking two actions.
Firstly, survey the nearby site. The initial survey does not have to take longer than 10 minutes. Yet, it is important to control the bamboo from the start.
So, find out
what is near the potential bamboo site;
what are the likely impacts on the built environment; and
whether it’s necessary to grow running bamboo there.
Secondly, use a root barrier. Regardless of where you are going to grow the running bamboo plants, a root barrier is vital to spreading.
Take precautions when growing running bamboo
The steps above will stop the running bamboo plants from invading the built areas or neighbours' gardens.
Survey the garden site and use root barriers before planting.
Do not grow the running bamboo close to the paths and buildings.
As a rule of thumb, grow the running bamboo at least 5 metres away from any built area.
Another option is to grow the running bamboos in large heavy-duty pots. The pots will act as barriers so that there is no need to spend extra money on root barriers.
Also, you can move the pots and place them wherever you want.
The disadvantage is that you may have to re-pot the plants every 5 or 10 years.
Not bad because it’s less work than digging up the running bamboo rhizomes in the garden.
Where to buy running bamboo in the UK?
Your nearest garden centres will have supplies of running bamboo plants.
Ask for the features and growth requirements, and what you expect of the plant.
Get their professional opinion on what to do to stop the bamboo from invading other built areas.
Many labels on the running bamboo plants do not have a warning on them.
So make sure to find out how far the running bamboo is likely to spread.
Based on the popularity and gardeners' preferences, here are the top 5 running bamboo plants you can grow in the garden. (Get more information via the links)
1) Phyllostachys Aurea (Fishpole bamboo) – Tall, slim and tough bamboos, ideal for garden sticks. If you want a good supply of bamboo sticks to use in the garden, this is the best bamboo.
2) Phyllostachys Bissettii (Green Bamboo): tall culms and long, dark green leaves, dense evergreen foliage. A fantastic bamboo for the border hedge or privacy screen.
3) Phyllostachy Areosulcata 'Spectabilis' (Golden Groove Bamboo) – spectacular culms, ideal for the driveway, or tall hedge and privacy screens. It’s also great as an individual plant, plant it where you can see the colours (yellow and green stripes) all year round.
4) Phyllostachys vivax aureocaulis (Golden Chinese Timber Bamboo) – similar to Phyllostachys aureosulcata 'Spectabilis', but bigger and taller. This timber bamboo has yellow and stunning green stripes. Best for thick privacy screens.
5) Bamboo Phyllostachys Sulphurea Viridis (Ougon-kou Chiku Bamboo) - is a stunning ornamental plant due to its appearance. At 4m average height, this bamboo is a great addition to woodland forests, large gardens and dense garden hedges. It is edible bamboo. Very invasive.
FEATURED: Phyllostachys rubromarginata, (also called the Reddish Bamboo or Red Margin Bamboo) has a rather reddish colour of the new shoots. This running bamboo is tall and upright. It tends to spread very quickly, ideal for tall hedges and quick natural privacy screens.
What to do when bamboo invades other spaces?
It will cost you a lot of money, time and effort to bring them under control later. If your garden bamboo invades other sections or the neighbour’s side, you’ll have to act fast.
An effective way to remove running bamboo rhizomes is to dig them up completely. Uprooting bamboo plants is hard work because the rhizomes are tough.
But the underground parts do not grow deep, they are often found on the top 30 – 50 cm layer of the soil. To remove the bamboo rhizomes, dig around the plants to get an idea about how far they’ve grown.
Then, use a pickaxe and crew bar to remove small sections until all is done.
Alternatively, dig around the plants and put in root barriers.
Take a look at how we managed to bring our running bamboo plants under control in this YouTube video.
They come in different colours, sizes, heights and shapes.
What red bamboo for shady spots?
Not only red clumping bamboos can grow in shady spots.
There are also green, yellow and black non-invasive clumping bamboos, including their cultivars, that are suitable for the garden.
Clumping bamboos for shady spots ranges from mini to medium bamboos. There are in fact many cultivars that tend to grow well in shady spots.
The bamboos change colours as they mature.
This is one of the things that makes bamboo a beautiful plant.
Some clumping bamboo plants have shoots that are bright pink, others purple.
The early colour changes are spectacular.
Some bamboo culms will turn black, yellow or green after they lose their sheaths. They also respond to Summer and Winter conditions though they remain evergreen.
You can prune some of these bamboos, they are best for garden hedges, while the others have fountain-like or umbrella-like foliages. The options are unlimited!
Non-invasive clumping bamboo UK
Clumping bamboos have special places in the garden.
They are fast-growing and provide an evergreen screen all year round.
Your choice of clumping bamboo depends on what you want the bamboo to do.
We hope the options provided in this article help find a better bamboo that meets your expectations.
If you have any questions, please leave a comment.
What is invasive bamboo and how can identify the non-invasive clumping bamboo plants?
There are several ways to look at it, but the easiest way to identify a bamboo as clumping or running is to look at the structure and formation of the base.
The clumping bamboo and running bamboo plants have distinct rooting systems, which make it easy, to identify them. We cover the parts of clumping bamboo in this article.
We also identified the pros and cons of growing the invasive running bamboos, and what you can do to contain them.
Check out the clumping and running bamboo plants at the beautiful Secret Garden at Blenheim Palace, Oxford, UK.
Facts about clumping and running bamboos
Though the clumping bamboo plants are non-invasive, they pose risk to the built environment.
The base expands over time, which can damage patio or fence structures.
Also, their culms and leaves can cover the garden when neglected over time.
Likewise, the running bamboos will run into the neighbour's side or invade the garden if you neglect them.
So, it is vitally important to plant them right the first time.
Here are some facts about growing the clumping and running bamboo plants.
Common traits of running and clumping bamboo plants:
Running and clumping bamboo plants are fast-growing.
Both bamboo plants require a lot of work to uproot.
They do not grow as deep into the soil as trees do.
Undemanding and low-maintenance plants
Traits of clumping bamboo plants:
Most clumping bamboos are in the Fargesia group.
Clumping bamboos have rhizomes that expand at the base.
Some clumping umbrella bamboo is best for garden hedging and privacy screens.
Traits of running bamboo plants
Most running bamboos are in the Phyllostachys group.
Use a barrier to grow running bamboo. They are invasive.
Running bamboos have rhizomes that grow along the surface.
Some running bamboos are tall and ideal for tall privacy screens.
Warning about invasive and non-invasive bamboos
For every home and garden, there is a perfect bamboo.
They are tough plants and will grow where you put them.
But, before planting bamboo, always follow the 3 steps:
survey the area,
take precautions, and
use roots barriers or pots.
These steps will protect the built structure near where you grow the bamboo plants.
Bamboo without barriers
Many homeowners may have inherited bamboos that do not have roots barrier.
If you are in this position, it is not too late! Take a look at how we managed to control our running bamboo in this YouTube video.
You can do the same, but it is hard work digging the rhizomes. Here is how to dig bamboo plants - you’ll need bamboo digging tools.
Firstly, dig around the bamboo to a depth of 30 cm to 50 cm. Use a pickaxe, crew bar, and a pair of secateurs. See the complete list of tools for digging bamboo roots.
Secondly, lay roots barrier. You can get them from your nearest garden centre or DIY shop. Or, use patio slabs or thick plastic sheets as root barriers.
Then cover the hole, leave 5 cm to 10 cm uncovered.
All in all, barriers are best for stopping clumping bamboo bases expanding, or running bamboo from invading other areas.
This group of special bamboo plants have two features in common.
The leaves and culms have either distinct stripes or spots. They are standout plants for pots and planters or grown as individual plants in the garden.
Great pot and garden plants.
Can be either running or clumping.
Have either culms or leaves variegation.
Come in various sizes, shapes and colours.
Have white, green, yellow, or various stripes on leaves and culms.
5 Clumping variegated bamboo plants UK
Clumping variegated bamboos grow well in the garden and pots.
These bamboos require care and attention just like the running bamboos but are less invasive. The dwarf variegated bamboo tolerates shades and is ideal for undercover plants.
Here are some common features you should know about the variegated bamboo plants.
1. Sasa Veitchii - variegated bamboo
This clumping variegated bamboo has very large leaves.
The leaves turn white as autumn falls, giving them a striking variegated appearance.
It is non-invasive, a great shade plant that can grow to a height of metres. (Sasa Veitchi bamboo has whitestripes along the leaves)
2. Bambusa multiplex Alphonso-Kar
Also called the Alphonso-Kar Bamboo. This clumping variegated bamboo has fine green stripes that contrast beautifully with its yellow culms.
This variegated bamboo is reasonably large at 3 metres in height, ideal pot plants for balconies and patios. (The Alphonso-Kar bamboo has greenstripes along the culms)
3. Arundinaria viridistriata ‘Pleioblastus’
A beautiful dwarf bamboo with variegated leaves, a desirable garden and a pot plant.
It has eye-catching bright yellow stripes on green leaves. This clumping bamboo can grow to 2 metres - an ideal bamboo for large pots.
Grow it in a central location where you can enjoy its beauty, such as near the driveways and patios. (Arundinaria v. 'Pleoplastus' has yellowstripes along the leaves)
4. Pleioblastus variegatus - variegated bamboo
Also called the White Stripe Bamboo or dwarf bamboo.
It grows to less than 1 metre tall and has spectacular white stripes on the green variegated leaves.
This clumping bamboo is a great undercover plant, also grows well in pots and prefers shape to part shaded sites. (Pleioblastus variegatus has stripes along with the leaves)
5. Fargesia Robusta Pingwu
A thick foliage clumping bamboo with variegated culms that are upright, turning green to yellow when mature.
An ideal bamboo for containers and planters.
This clumping bamboo is also used for privacy screening and garden hedging due to its thick foliage. (Fargesia Robusta Pingwu has green/yellow stripes along the culms)
Growing variegated bamboo plants
The variegated bamboos add colour and statement where they grow.
They contrast beautifully with natural garden colours. For example, the white stripes of Pleioblastus variegatus will match the green undergrowth.
So, pick the right colour that contrasts well with the colours in the garden.
A better way to choose the right colour is to start with the list of bamboos in this article.
Take a look at the stripy colours of the culms and leaves from the 10 running and clumping variegated bamboos.
Match the colours to the colours of your garden, patio, balcony, porch, planter, etc.
Then, choose the right bamboo that you think is best for your garden.
Crocus is a UK retailer that supplies variegated bamboos.
Running vs clumping bamboos, UK
We collected data for over 70 running and clumping bamboos that grow well in the UK climate at gardenbambooplants.com.
We advocate for using roots (rhizomes) barriers when planting running bamboos. That way, you do not have to worry about bamboo invasion.
Clumping bamboos are non-invasive.
They are best grown as garden centrepieces or near built areas. But keep in mind that these bamboos need pruning and thinningto keep them in shape.
Variegated clumping bamboo plants UK
Variegated bamboos are spectacular garden and pot plants. Their culms and leaves have stripes ( or spots) that contrast with natural colours.
These bamboos are ideal as standalone or undercover plants.
You can find them as either running or clumping bamboos.
We hope that this article gives you an idea about the variegated bamboo plants.
If you want to grow them in the garden or in pots, check out crocus.co.uk.
Variegated bamboos come in different forms. Some are running while others are clumping bamboos.
In this article, we list 5 variegated running bamboo plants that grow well in the UK.
We arrange the bamboos by culms and leaves variegation to make it easy for our readers to identify them.
Quick facts about variegated bamboos
This group of special bamboo plants have two features in common.
The leaves and culms have either distinct stripes or spots.
They are standout plants for pots and planters or grown as individual plants in the garden.
Great pot and garden plants.
Can be either running or clumping.
Have either culms or leaves variegation.
Come in various sizes, shapes and colours.
Have white, green, yellow, or various stripes on leaves and culms.
Running variegated bamboo plants to grow
Gardeners love some colours in their garden. The running variegated bamboo plants bring both colour and style.
Variegated culm (stems) - some have variegated leaves.
The running variegated bamboo plants are spectacular individual plants.
They also make great pot plants, best grown where you can see them. Especially near driveways and walkways.
1. Phyllostachys aureosulcata ‘spectabilis’
Also called the ‘Showy Golden Bamboo Grove 'Spectabilis'. It is a large running bamboo with new pinkish bamboo shoots.
The culms are thick and zigzag with stunning vertical green stripes.
(‘Showy Golden Bamboo Grove 'Spectabilis' has greenstripes along the culms)
2. Phyllostachys aureosulcata ‘aureocaulis’
Also called the Golden Yellow Bamboo Grove 'Aureocaulis'.
It is an average size bamboo with reddish new bamboo shoots.
The culms are golden yellow with green variegated rims near the nodes.
(The Golden Yellow Bamboo Grove has yellowrims around the culm nodes)
3. Phyllostachys aureosulcata vivax
Also called the Golden Chinese Timber Bamboo, Golden Cane Bamboo.
This running variegated bamboo has spectacular green stripes contrasted with the yellow culms.
(The Golden Chinese Timber Bamboo has greenstripes along the culms)
4. Hibanobambusa tranquillans ‘Shiroshima’
A running variegated bamboo with large leaves and slow-spreading rhizomes.
One of the few running bamboos with stunning yellow leaf variegation.
(Shiroshima has yellow stripes along the leaves)
5. Phyllostachys nigra ‘Boryana’
A stunning Phyllostachys nigra bamboo is also called Tiger Bamboo or simply ‘Bory’.
It has upright tall stems with distinctive brownish-black spots, hence the name Tiger Bamboo, spots on culms.
Warning: Always use a roots barrier or large heavy-duty pots to grow these bamboo plants. Read about the best ways to grow running bamboo plants for privacy screening and garden hedging.
Growing variegated bamboo plants
The variegated bamboos add colour and statement where they grow.
They contrast beautifully with natural garden colours. For example, the white stripes of Pleioblastus variegatus will match the green undergrowth.
So, pick the right colour that contrasts well with the colours in the garden.
A better way to choose the right colour is to start with the list of bamboos in this article.
Take a look at the stripy colours of the culms and leaves from the 10 running and clumping variegated bamboos.
Match the colours to the colours of your garden, patio, balcony, porch, planter, etc.
Then, choose the right bamboo that you think is best for your garden.
Crocus is a UK retailer that supplies variegated bamboos.
Running vs clumping bamboos, UK
We collected data for over 70 running and clumping bamboos that grow well in the UK climate at gardenbambooplants.com
We advocate for using roots (rhizomes) barriers when planting running bamboos. That way, you do not have to worry about bamboo invasion.
Clumping bamboos are non-invasive. They are best grown as garden centrepieces or near built areas.
But keep in mind that these bamboos need pruning and thinningto keep them in shape.
Variegated bamboo plants UK
Variegated bamboos are spectacular garden and pot plants.
Their culms and leaves have stripes ( or spots) that contrast with natural colours.
These bamboos are ideal as standalone or undercover plants.
You can find them as either running or clumping bamboos.
We hope that this article gives you an idea about the variegated bamboo plants.
If you want to grow them in the garden or in pots, check out crocus.co.uk.
