Phyllostachys aurea Fishpole Golden Bamboo is an all-rounder, slim running bamboo, that grows well in shade, part shade and sun, with spectacular evergreen slender leaves and light green stems that mature to golden yellow.
This is one of the best bamboo plants to grow for garden bamboo sticks because of its thick and slender tall stems.
Golden Bamboo Phyllostachys aurea UK sales
The RHS has recognised Phyllostachys aurea for its outstanding garden features.
Identification: Phyllostachys aurea, Fishpole Bamboo, Golden Bamboo.
Site: Tolerant bamboo, grows in full sun to partial shade and shade.
Soil: Prefers moist and well-drained loose soil (sand and loam), doesn’t like compacted soil.
Uses: Excellent for hedging, screening, windbreak, or pots and containers.
Winter hardiness: Hardy to - 20 degrees Celsius.
Height: Fast-growing plant, 2 – 4m.
Spread: Running bamboo, allow space to spread or contain in large pots.
Foliage: Light green to yellow foliage all year round.
Stem: Slender bright green matures to golden yellow in full sun.
Phyllostachys aurea gives the best garden sticks
Uses Phyllostachys aurea Fishpole Bamboo
Although the fishpole bamboo is tolerant to shade, it grows well in part shade and sun.
Sufficient sunlight will result in a significant transformation in the colour of the culms (stems) and foliage from green to golden yellow.
This running bamboo behaves more like the clump-forming bamboo in the UK where it is cooler. Here are two other running bamboo plants that act like clumpers.
However, the rhizomes are invasive where the soil is loose and rich in moisture and nutrients, so grow it where there is enough space for them to grow.
The Phyllostachys aurea is an ideal bamboo for hedging, privacy screening and windbreak in the garden. It is also an excellent bamboo plant for medium to large pots and containers.
Notably, it does not like soggy soil and it definitely does not like compacted soil. It prefers well-drained loamy soil, loose and rich in moisture.
Propagate Phyllostachys aurea
Bamboo growers are propagating Phyllostachys aurea from seeds and rhizome cuttings, and base separation.
However, bamboo seeds are often hard to buy near you because they do not flower regularly.
The 2 best ways to propagate Phyllostachys aurea
is by base separation and
from rhizome and culm cuttings.
This video shows the work we did at Garden Bamboo Plants UK.
Phyllostachys aurea Grow and Care Tips
The new growth will require care and attention.
Slugs adore the tender new growths, they can wipe off the fresh leaves in one visit if left unprotected.
If you are propagating bamboo plants either from the rhizome or culm cuttings or planting a recent purchase, protect the new growths by adding Slug and Snail Killer.
Perhaps it is important to note that despite its clump-forming nature, the Phyllostachys aurea is a running bamboo.
The bamboo's horizontal rhizomes can spread to an average of 4m if left unchecked. It is best to give it space to grow.
Alternatively surround the roots with root barriers to restrict the rhizomes from spreading.
Better to grow Phyllostachys aurea where there is enough space, away from strong wind.
It can also be grown in large pots and containers to contain its spreading.
Facts about Phyllostachys aurea
The matured Fishpole Golden bamboo will thrive in well-drained loamy soil with high moisture and nutrient contents.
Like most bamboo plants in the UK, they do not like compacted dry soils such as new building sites or roads and pathways.
In addition, the matured bamboos thrive on what is available in the soil, they will occasionally need feed and water.
A regular check is recommended if you are growing them in containers.
The browning of the culms or yellowing of the leaves are signs of the plant in distress. Here is an article on how to revive your bamboo plants where they show signs of distress.
Check the soil by inspection or digging to 10 cm depth to find out if the soil is too dry. Add, mulch fertiliser or any plant feed if necessary.
If your Phyllostachys aurea plant outgrows the container and shows distressing signs, it is calling for you to separate the plants and re-pot them.
Also, prune the old culms ideally in early Spring for the new growth to take over.
Evergreen bamboo privacy screens for balcony or terrace
Many people use the terms balcony and terrace interchangeably to mean an extended outdoor space that has a roof cover and comfortable seating area.
In fact, there is a slight difference between the two outdoor spaces. The balcony is smaller and has only one entry door whereas the terrace is comparatively larger with multiple entryways. Both are affixed to the main building structure.
So, what are the best bamboo plants for privacy screening on a balcony or terrace?
Firstly, find out the length of the space that needs screening, and how many pots or containers may be required.
Secondly, decide what containers are best for the space and how many you’ll need.
The third step is important – what type of bamboo plants to choose?
Both deck and patio are often used for large recreational activities and gatherings at home.
A deck is an elevated ‘roofless’ outdoor seating area whereas a patio may not be necessarily elevated and is made of paving stones, bricks and blocks.
Many homeowners prefer to use bamboo sticks (canes) and bamboo mats for deck and patio screening, but do you know bamboo plants are also great natural privacy screens and windshields?
You can even turn the deck into a private outdoor space and block out the unsightly features by screening it with bamboo plants.
The tall, upright and slender running bamboo and clumping bamboo plants that reach 2 - 4 metres in height are perfect for deck screening.
How to find the right bamboo plants for deck or patio privacy screening: We compiled a list of small to medium bamboo plants end of this article to give you an idea about the right plants to pick for screening patio and deck.
Bamboo privacy screen for porch or veranda
Porch and veranda do not vary a great deal.
Often these two enclosures may refer to a roofed entrance (or the front) of a house. However, a veranda can extend to the side or the back of the house. Whereas, a porch is located at the front of the house.
Many porches and verandas are long and narrow. Therefore, select a bamboo that will serve well in narrow spaces such as the clump-forming bamboo plants.
The upright bamboo plants grow without arching.
They have tough narrow canes (culms), slender leaves, and dense foliage - suitable bamboo plants for creating a natural privacy screen in narrow spaces.
10 small and medium bamboo plants for an outdoor screen
We identified the different outdoors areas and bamboo for privacy screens so far. In addition, we created an easy-to-use guide for selecting the right bamboo plants.
Growing bamboo plants for the balcony, deck, patio or porch needs careful planning.
We cannot stress enough to plant the bamboo in pots and containers, whether it is running or clumping bamboo. This is the best way to contain the bamboo plants from spreading to other spaces.
If you are going to grow a new bamboo purchase, bamboo cuttings, here are two articles to help you:
Why Bamboo Privacy Screen for Balcony, Deck, Patio and Porch?
Bamboo plants are fast-growing and can produce the evergreen dense privacy screen in 2 to 3 years.
The bamboo plants are tolerant to pests and variable weather conditions.
Some bamboo plants are extremely hardy and can withstand very low temperatures in Winter.
One reason why bamboo plants are ideal for small outdoor spaces is that they are undemanding plants. They thrive in small, confined spaces with well-drained soil and good moisture.
Also, you do not need to replace the bamboo plants or re-potting them unless they outgrow the pots after 5 - 10 years.
The balcony, deck, patio or porch screening plants will need fertiliser feed or a plant grower, at least, once a year.
So, give them a feed ideally early in Spring - just before the new plant shoots grow. This will give you lush greenery and a formidable privacy screen for many years.
Related articles on Evergreen Outdoor Privacy Screen
Readers' note: This article is so long that we split it into several parts. Here are the related parts that you may also like to read:
PART 1: EVERGREEN BAMBOO SCREENS FOR BALCONY AND TERRACE
The 7 DIY checks you should do before building a bamboo fence will help you build a stunning bamboo fence.
1) Dimensions of the bamboo fence
Find out both the width and the height of the bamboo screening product.
Some retailers either only state the width or the height of the bamboo panel.
Make sure that your know both the width and the height prior to buying the bamboo screen that can fit perfectly.
2) How is the bamboo delivered to you?
The bamboo fencing materials often gather dust and absorb moisture during storage.
Moulds and rust can form very quickly when the bamboo screening supplies are stored longer in cool dark places.
So always ensure that the products are delivered to you well packed and free of dust and moisture.
Alternatively, pay a visit to your nearest DIY shop and check out the materials before purchasing.
3) Is the bamboo fence treated?
The untreated bamboo fence panels will blacken when expose to the weather.
Also, the uncoated wires will also rust in time.
The best thing to do is to ensure that the bamboo screening panels are treated, and panel wires are coated to protect the bamboo rolls.
If treated well, these items can last up to 10 years, even longer.
It is up to the shops to ensure that the brand-new bamboo screens are treated.
But a clever customer should always ask about the quality of the bamboo screens before buying them.
4) Read the fencing instructions thoroughly
The bamboo fences are easy to put up but can be tricky to start with.
You do not want to put it up and realise later that the fence is not standing up properly.
Read the instruction carefully before setting the bamboo screening panel.
5) Build 6ft/2m bamboo fencing to withstand the wind
Many bamboo fences are lightweight. They will collapse in strong winds if they are not set up correctly or in a windy site.
To avoid that, set up the bamboo screens using strong posts.
6) Protect against weather and elements
Tall bamboo fencing, especially those built out of bamboo rolls, panels and spits, are susceptible to damp and wet conditions.
The bamboo panels will eventually turn black or the wire rust when exposed to the elements.
If this happens, repaint the fence with wood paints or bamboo stain.
7) Use stable lost posts as a support system
Bamboo rolls, panels and splits will require a firm support system.
For a new standalone privacy screen, use treated (round) log posts to provide support and additional strength.
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.
Varieties of Bambusa textilis 'Gracilis' cultivars
The distinct variations among the Bambusa textilis cultivars make it easy to tell them apart.
First, let’s take a look at the 5 common Bambusa textilis 'Gracilis' cultivars.
Slender Weaver’s Gracilis Bamboo (Bambusa textilis var. gracilis):
This is the common Weavers’ Bamboo in the Bambusa gracilis group. Its desirable slender and clump-forming nature makes it a preferred choice for tall privacy screens and garden hedging.
Emerald Bamboo (Bambusa textilis 'mutabilis'):
A stunning upright bamboo with a spectacular blueish white appearance, quite a rare bamboo.
The name ‘emerald’ is fitting for its light-yellow elongated culms, slim green leaves and graceful foliage.
Bambusa textilis ‘Kanapaha’:
Commonly called Wang Chuk meaning Royal Bamboo. This Timber Bamboo is a giant of the Bambusa textilis group.
It can reach a height of 15 – 20 metres at maturity.
The Weaver's Bamboo Dwarf is a Tropical bamboo variety that requires high humidity, fertile soil, and high moisture and grows well in confined spaces – an ideal indoor dwarf bamboo plant.
Bambusa textilis 'Maculata':
Slender and erect bamboo, very similar to Gracilis. It is an excellent bamboo for small yards and tight spaces.
The culms are slightly further apart at the base, unlike the Slender Weaver’s Bamboo.
How to grow slender Weaver’s bamboo textilis
There are several ways to grow bamboo, it depends on how much time you have and what propagation method suit you.
Here are the three reliable (and quick) ways to grow large clumping bamboos are:
Clump separation or division;
Culm cuttings; or
Nursery bamboo textilis plants.
Firstly, growing the slender Weaver’s Bamboo from clump separation is probably the quickest way to propagate bamboo.
If you have an old bamboo grove, you can take the divisions and plant them straight into the ground.
Secondly, propagation by stem cuttings is another effective way to grow large bamboo such as the Bambusa textiles and Bambusa tuloides varieties.
But, you have to propagate the cuttings in the propagating medium before transplanting them into large pots or into the ground.
And thirdly, buying the Slender Weaver’s bamboo from nursery and growing it is probably the quickest get a new plant.
You do not have to worry about the propagation period.
Qualities and features of slender Weaver’s bamboo plants
The Slender Weaver’s Bamboo, Bambusa textilis, is clump-forming, hardy, evergreen with slender, green to yellow culms and slightly arching stems.
This bamboo produces many canes that are very closely spaced and have dense foliage.
Since the slender Weaver’s Bamboo grows tall, it does not prefer sites where there are strong winds.
Plant it in protected sites or away from the wind.
For example, it will grow very tall if it grows under tall pines or other deciduous trees.
In an ideal case, grow the slender Weaver’s bamboo to block any tall unsightly features next door.
In fact, the thick green leaves, arching evergreen foliage and tall (upright dense) culms make this bamboo the best choice for tall covers.
It is also an ideal bamboo for large pots and containers. One reason why it makes a good container plant is its compact (clumping) nature. It adapts well to confined spaces.
Another reason this bamboo is ideal for pots and containers is that it will *not* grow to its full height when planted in pots, however, it will still give admirable stem colourations, slender culms and evergreen foliage.
Also, if you want to grow a Bambusa textilis in pots and containers, the best option is Bambusa textilis ‘RG Dwarf’ (the Weaver's Bamboo Dwarf) or Buddah's Belly Bamboo(Bambusa tuldoides Ventricosa).
How to care for your slender Weaver’s bamboo?
Although the slender Weaver’s bamboo plants are tolerant to pests and variable soil conditions, there is a number of natural threats growers should be mindful of, such as slugs’ attacks and wind.
Slugs' attack on bamboo plants is a common occurrence, they adore the new shoots and leaves.
Protect the new growth, especially in Spring and Summer when the new growths are prominent, by applying Slug and Snail Killer.
Ominously, the Weaver’s Bamboo is tall. Its new culms will have several internodes before putting out branches and leaves, therefore, the culms are susceptible to wind.
Stake the new culms to protect them from swaying and breaking.
General care for bamboo plants
Generally, the running- and clump-forming bamboos love moist soil but do not like too much water.
The newly planted bamboo plants will thrive in well-aerated loam, or sand and loose clay soil. So, make sure that the soil remains well-drained and aerated.
In addition, the older plants will require fertiliser and mulch, at least, once in Spring.
Check to see if they are putting out new shoots, or whether the leaves and soil are in good condition.
For healthy bamboo plants, do these:
Apply Slug and Snail Killer around your new bamboo.
Add organic mulch.
Tie the culms to bamboo sticks/stakes.
Add NPK fertilizers.
Trim old culms to promote new growths.
The Slender Weaver’s Bamboo textilis is a formidable plant for garden hedging and privacy screens.
Sweet peas are adorable plants with stunning (sweet-scented) flowers. They will definitely love the support to grow well.
Build frames of bamboo poles and trellis for them.
Bamboo pot trellis: (L) Sweet pea in full summer bloom and (R) the sweet pea and trellis support in winter.
Sweet pea garden trellis
Sweet peas love the pyramid-like trellis with three sides.
If you are growing them in a large pot or in the garden, you should build this trellis.
It looks more or less like a wigwam, but the better because the bamboo sticks will cross-cross close together to form an adorable pattern.
The sweet pea garden trellis will have 3 side panels, when combined they'll form a pyramidal structure.
That means that you will have to make three separate trellis panels and put them together.
As a side note, you can build more than three panels (in this case they'll be squares) and put them together, side-by-side.
You will need bamboo sticks, garden ropes, cable ties, a handsaw and a pair of secateurs.
Here is how to build a sweet pea trellis frame
Firstly, cut 6 lots of bamboos in equal lengths of 4m. (These bamboos will form the sides of the trellis panels).
Secondly, you’ll make three trellis bamboo panels, use 2 bamboos you cut earlier and tie some small bamboo sticks in a triangular shape.
Thirdly, repeat the same step until you’ve made 3 triangular trellis panels.
Then, use cable ties or garden ropes to tie the 3 trellis panels together to form a pyramid structure.
Finally, cut out the uneven edges and tidy them up.
That’s it, your Sweet Pea Garden Trellis is ready to use. Grow the sweet pea seeds or of the new plant underneath and around the trellis. They will look lovely!
Garden trellis ideas with pictures
Take a look at these garden trellis with pictures (including the bamboo tomato trellis and sweet pea bamboo cane frame) to get inspiration for your next project.
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.
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.
Fargesia murielae Standing Stone is an upright (tall) Umbrella Bambooalso known as the Flaming or arrow bamboo for its tall and straight canes.
Newly introduced clump-forming bamboo is exceptionally hardy and tolerant to poor soil conditions.
Upright, tight clump-forming bamboo, ideal as an individual plant or grown in pots and containers. Standing Stone is also a good option for a tall hedge and privacy fence.
Buy Fargesia Murielae Standing Stone
Standing Stone Bamboo is a beautiful ornamental bamboo, an ideal choice for tall-growing hedges or screens, or as an individual plant.
Click on the link/s where you’ll be directed to top UK Bamboo Suppliers.
You can check the latest prices before buying the bamboo that suits your budget. (Let us know if you have a particular choice of bamboo that we can help with).
Site: Best in full sun, tolerates shade, avoid windy locations.
Soil: Prefers Loamy or clay, well-drained moist, doesn’t like compacted soil.
Hardiness: - 10 degrees Celsius.
Care: Protect new growth from slugs, susceptible to wind and heavy snow.
Maintain Fargesia murielae Standing Stone
Bamboo Standing Stone is a tall slim clump-forming Fergasia Murielae.
Although the culms have strength in numbers, the new culms stand little chance against the strong wind. They'll sway and bend easily.
Grow Fargesia murielae Standing Stone away from the wind.
Alternatively, support the culm by tying them together. [Here is a YouTube video about How to Protect Bamboo from the wind and snow.]
Care for Standing Stone Bamboo
Slugs adore the new bamboo plants (shoots and rhizomes tips). Apply the Snail and Slug Killer to protect the new growth.
The best time to apply the Snail and Bug Killers is early Spring when new growths are prominent.
Fargesia murielae ‘Standing Stone’ is a tall Fargesia clump-forming bamboo. Though it is a tolerant and tough bamboo, it needs protection from the wind.
This clump-forming bamboo forms a tightly packed cluster of arching stems and evergreen foliage, that emerges into a thicker hedge or screen.
Apply fertiliser if or when necessary.
Alternatively, add mulch in early in Spring, ideally before the new shoot growth. This will improve the condition of the soil and give a healthy Standing Stone bamboo.
20+ Fargesia Murielae Bamboo Cultivars
The Umbrella Bamboo (Fargesia murielae Standing Stone) is as arching, clump-forming bamboo, closely resembling Fargesia murielae varieties.
Here are five Umbrella Bamboo plants that are closely related to the Standing Stone.
We did extensive research on the popular bamboo plants in the UK and, carefully, gathered the qualities and features so that you can find the one that suits you.
Check out our collections of over 20 Fargesia murielae and Fargesia nitida bamboo plants. Alternatively, use the search bar (on the right) if you are looking for a particular bamboo.
We present the information in a simplified version where you can easily identify the bamboo that suits you.
Amazing Garden Bamboo Plants
Bamboos are amazing plants. They come in various sizes, shapes, colours, and formations.
Although some varieties (Phyllostachys) are invasive, they are manageable. They need care when they are newly planted. Once establish, you only have to check on them and enjoy the evergreen plant.
Fargesia bamboo varieties are non-spreading and form clusters of rigorous stems. These bamboo plants are best for small hedges and privacy fences.
They thrive in pots and containers, and as individual plants.
Bamboo is fast-growing, provides cover fast and last longer than many other perennial. They are tough and tolerant plants.
Ornamental Garden Bamboo Plants
The garden and containers bamboo plants are evergreen all year round and tolerant to hardy conditions.
They provide greenery all season, always a joy to watch the hedge dancing in the wind or standing among the white snowfall.
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 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.
Bamboo plants in pot and container planters are great for instant privacy screens. Besides, you do not have to worry about the bamboos’ invasiveness because the planters are barriers.
They also provide the benefit of moving them around to optimise on space available, perfect for small and narrow spaces.
There are more benefits to using the plants. However, growing bamboo in pot and container planters requires extra care and attention, unlike the garden hedging bamboo screens.
In this article, you will find out about how to:
choose the best bamboo for small outdoor spaces,
select the best planters to grow bamboo and
provide long-term care for the bamboo plants.
How to select the best pots and containers?
There are a lot of recommendations for larger and bigger bamboo planters, but these are not often the best recommendations for narrow outdoor areas like the deck, patio, balcony or porch.
Unless, of course, use a bigger planter if the outdoor area has enough space for a bigger plant.
When choosing a pot or container for growing bamboo, size, weight and stability matter!
That begs the question what is the best pot or container for planting bamboo plants?
The three-pointers will help you to identify the bamboo planter that suits you.
A strong and durable frost resistant pot or container planter will act as a root barrier and protect the plant against the cold. Avoid the thin plastic pots because they do not stand a chance against the bamboo rhizomes and clumps in compacted space.
Avoid growing bamboo in containers that have small openings and heavy tops. If you use these planters, it will be hard to remove the bamboo plants for repotting, or the tall plants will topple to the ground.
Perhaps the important point to consider when selecting a pot or container for growing bamboo is the space available on your porch, patio, deck or balcony. Most of these spaces are usually narrow.
Ideally, the narrow rectangular heavy-duty containers are best for this kind of space. For the corners, you may want to choose a heavy-duty square container planter.
Some DIY wooden and metal containers are great for other plants, but not ideal for bamboo plants.
Furthermore, the metals pots do not have good insulations as they either absorb or lose heat pretty quickly in Summer and Winter, respectively.
If you still wish to use DIY wooden containers to grow bamboo, the best thing to do is to use the treated timbers that can last longer than 5 years.
As for the metal containers, ensure that they are well insulated from heat and cold.
Above all, ensure that the pot and container planters for growing bamboo are strong and stable, are well insulated, and have good drainage.
Choose large pots or container planters
You can move the bamboo into a larger pot or container planters. It is going to be a tedious operation getting the bamboo out.
However, if you are using the square and rectangular container box, you’ll find it easier to uproot the plant and repot it while saving the old container box.
In a case where it is difficult to remove the plant from the container planter, you will have to decide whether to keep the plant or keep the planter box. That means that you will have to destroy one and save the other.
The best time for repotting a bamboo plant into the container planters is early Spring when the new growths are prominent.
Avoid environmental stress in confined areas
Like other potted plants, bamboos in pots require attention if they were to thrive in the confined space.
One of the main reasons why bamboo leaves turn yellow (more info here) is the lack of moisture and nutrient in the soil.
Undoubtedly, bamboo in pots and container boxes will grow well where there is good moisture and nutrient in the soil.
Many pot and container planter boxes have a hollow bottom where the water drains out pretty quickly.
Bamboo plants tend to lose more water through transpiration through the thin and slender leaves compared to other thick leaves plants.
Poor drainage and a high rate of transpiration are often the main reasons why the soil in pot planters becomes devoid of nutrients and moisture. This is the main cause of the yellowing of bamboo leaves and browning culms.
How to improve soil condition in pots?
There are two things you can do to improve the soil moisture and soil nutrients in pot and container planters.
Firstly, fill the base of the pot and container planters with pebbles, gravel or a porous pot filler to stop it from losing water.
Do not block the hole at the bottom of the planters completely because the bamboo plants dislike waterlogged containers.
In addition, leave a spacing of about 10cm to 15 cm at the top of the pot and container planters after you’ve planted the bamboo. This space is very important for mulching and fertilising the plants later.
Secondly, use nutrient-rich loam soil and or potting compost when potting bamboo plants into containers to give them the best start.
Here is the right mixture of clay to sand to silt to create an ideal loam for growing bamboo.
Alternatively, a 50/50 mix potting compost contains the right nutrient and moisture for new bamboo plants to thrive in the pots.
If you need more information on how to grow bamboo, check out the Instructional Guides from YouGarden.
How to stop tall bamboo in pots from falling down?
Ominously, the tall bamboo plants will sway in the wind and topple to the ground if the pots are unstable. When this happens, you are likely to have a damaged plant, or pot, or both.
To avoid bamboo in pots falling to the ground, choose a pot or container planter with good stability.
A regular occurrence is when the tall bamboo culms lean out of the bamboo cluster or grove. In this case, use the garden ropes to tie them back.
Protect potted bamboo roots and rhizomes from cold and frost
The bamboos in pots and container planters require insulation in Winter when the temperature falls to negative values.
Although the bamboo plants are tough and hardy, the roots and rhizomes are above ground level and are directly exposed to the weather, unlike the plants on the ground.
The bamboo plants in the planter pots are prone to frost, frozen soil and, even, the Winter’s chill.
The best way to protect the bamboo in the planters is to add mulch and cover the base of the pots with an insulating blanket, bubble wrap or special plant insulation fleece.
Do these when bamboo in pot and container planters grow big
The running and clumping bamboo plants will reach full growth in the pots and containers within 2 – 5 years. That is the period when the plants are at their peak.
They’ll display evergreen foliage, shiny culms and beautiful leaves – an ideal time to enjoy the beauty of your bamboo plants.
The plants will thrive for more than 5 to 10 years in large pot planters under the right conditions and care mentioned in this article.
To continue to enjoy them, there are a couple of things you can do to keep the plants in the pot longer.
How to maintain bamboo plants in pots and containers?
Bamboo plants are relatively hardy bamboo and can withstand air temperatures as low as – 20 degrees Celsius in normal growing conditions.
However, bamboo plants in pots and containers without the right insulations will struggle to survive at such very low temperatures.
So the first thing to do before planting them is to insulate the containers by using styrofoam which is light and great for extra insulation.
In addition, the new bamboo plants are prone to slugs damage. Add Slugs and Snail Killer to protect new shoots and rhizome tips.
Here are some general protection measures to apply when planting bamboo in pot and container planters;
Apply Slug and Snail Killer around your new bamboo.
Add organic mulch.
Tie the long culms to bamboo sticks or poles.
Add insulation inside the pot and containers.
Cover the pots and containers with additional insulation fleece or blanket when the temperature drops to negative degrees Celsius.
‘Thinning’ bamboo in pot and container planters
Remove the old unhealthy culms (canes) to give the new shoots a chance to reach full height. In fact, the new shoots will be stronger and taller than previous bamboos, so encourage new growth if you want taller and healthier plants.
After 5 – 10 years, you will have to carry out ‘thinning’. Remove the older bamboo culms and rhizomes from the pots and containers, and separate the culms into segments for repotting. This activity is best done in Spring.
At this juncture, we provided insight into how to select and grow the perfect bamboo plants in pots for the small outdoor space at home, the office or the rental place.
Bamboo pot trellis: (L) Sweet pea in full summer bloom and (R) the sweet pea and trellis support in winter.
