Clumping Bamboo Fargesia murielae Blue Lizard

Fargesia murielae 'Blue Lizard ' is a clump-forming umbrella bamboo with upright (erect) culms. It is also called the Blue Lizard. 

This evergreen bamboo has dense dark foliage due to its broad-leaf clusters with a delicate blue tint. 

The peculiar blue tints on the leaves look like dragon scales, so Fargesia murielae Blue Lizard is also called Fargesia murielae 'Blue Dragon Scale'.

Clumping blue bamboo dendrocalamus strictus

Fargesia murielae Blue Lizard description

• Name: Fargesia murielae Blue Lizard, Fargesia murielae 'Blue Dragon Scale', Umbrella Bamboo
• Foliage: Evergreen, dark blue-green leaves, arching. 
• Spread: 1 - 2m, clump-forming.
• Culm: Upright green stem. 
• Height: 3 - 4m. 

Growth requirement

• Site: Part shade to full sun.
• Hardiness: – 10 to –5 degrees Celsius. 
• Soil: Clay and heavy soil (prefer loam or well-drained soil) 
• Use: Garden hedging, privacy screens, pots and containers, roof terrace, apartment balcony.

Buy clumping bamvoo Fargesia murielae Blue Lizard

Blue Lizard bamboo is an ideal plant for privacy screening the apartment, balcony, porch or any small outdoor places that are less than 3 metres in height. 

Furthermore, you can prune the leaves and new shoots to give a neat hedge. 

We feature prominent UK Home and Garden retailers where you can buy bamboo plants, tools and products.  

Grow Fargesia murielae Blue Lizard

Whether you grow the clumping bamboo in pots or containers or out in the open, there are a few things that you should do when preparing the soil for propagating the bamboo plants. 

Here are 3 tips to getting the bamboos off to a good start.

1. Cultivate in contained spaces

Fargesia murielae ‘Blue Lizard’ is a tough bamboo, it will thrive in clay and variable soil conditions. 

This clumping bamboo is medium height compared to other clumping bamboos, however, it will not reach its full height when planted in pots and containers. 

Newly planted Blue Lizard bamboo will require a good amount of water. Also, ensure that the soil remains moist but well-drained until the new plants are rooting. 

Older plants prefer sunny spots. The blue tint on the leaves is also prominent in the sun.

2. Cultivate in garden

This clumping bamboo is a standout on the sidewalks, near driveways and in the garden hedges due to its broad leaves and dark evergreen foliage. 

Blue Lizard is a great ornamental bamboo best planted in the front garden, along the side walkways or where the leaves are visible.

3. Propagate clumping bamboo ‘Blue Lizard’

The bamboo’s clump base will expand and cover the spaces within 4 – 5 years. Meanwhile, you can enjoy the bamboos and get more plants when they’ve matured. 

To propagate new Blue Lizard bamboos, separate the bamboo into several divisions and grow them in propagation pots before planting them into holding pots or straight into the garden. 

Here is a Complete Guide to Propagating Bamboo by clump-base division.

 

Grow clumping bamboos

The clumping bamboo plants like the Blue Lizards are non-invasive bamboos, however, clumpers in pots and containers will require repotting after 4 or 5 years. 

It is often hard work to remove the bamboos 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. 

Also, the clumping bamboos in the garden do not grow out of the allocated space as the running bamboos do, instead, the bamboo underground parts expand around the base. 

This clumping habit is visible as the new shoots grow into culms and the underground base buds thicken. 

As mentioned earlier, this could be the ideal time to prune the whole plant and get new plant divisions and bamboo sticks.

Fargesia murielae Blue Lizard

All in all, the Fargesia murielae ‘Blue Lizard’ is a formidable bamboo plant for hedging and privacy screening. 

Its blue tint leaves, upright culms and dense foliage are the perfect features to create a dense cover.

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At G.B.P, our goal is to provide the right information for selecting the right bamboo to grow in the garden and in pots and containers. 

Based on our experience, we also offer bamboo growers’’ tips and guides on how to provide the right care and maintenance for bamboo plants. 

You can see most of our work on YouTube.

Sacred Bamboo: Nandina domestica heavenly bamboo shrubs

Nandina domestica, widely known as nandina heavenly bamboo, heavenly bamboo or sacred bamboo, are evergreen flowering plants from the Berberidaceae family. 

Nandina heavenly bamboo plants are shrubs, not real bamboo plants from the grass family, Poaceae. Heavenly bamboo is the perfect ornamental plant for small gardens and pots.

There are several cultivars that produce stunning bright red berries and foliage in autumn and winter.

They are undemanding and low maintenance. You can propagate heavenly bamboo plants from stem cutting, root cutting or seed.

Nandina heavenly bamboo features

• Botanical name: Nandina domestica
• Common name: Sacred bamboo, Heavenly bamboo
• Family: Berberidaceae
• Plant type: Slow-growing shrub
• Native to: Eastern Asia to Japan
• Flowers in: Summer
• Berries: Bright red in Spring
• Foliage: Evergreen (leaves green to bright red)
• Propagation by: Root/stem cuttings, seeds
• Soil: Well-drained moist, slightly acidic
• Position: Full sun/Part shade
• Height: 2 metres
• Width: 1.5 metres
• Uses: Small garden, pots and planters
• Toxicity: Berries are mildly toxic to pet animals and birds if eaten in large quantities

What are the cultivars of nandina heavenly bamboo plants?

There are several types of nandina, but the 5 listed below are common in the UK. 

They have white flowers in summer with stunning arrays of foliage. 

Notably, the new foliage tends to change colour from summer to autumn to winter and spring. Yet, they are evergreen shrubs and do not lose their leaves through all the colour changes.

• 1) Nandina domestica ‘Fire Power’ – upright, evergreen shrub with bright red foliage in autumn.
• 2) Nandina domestica ‘Gulf Stream’ – new foliage is reddish-brown, turns green to red, white flowers in summer.
• 3) Nandina domestica – upright, evergreen shrub with white flowers, red berries and reddish foliage in autumn and spring.
• 4) Nandina domestica ‘Magical Lemon and Lime’ – new foliage is light yellow to green, turning deep green as it matures.
• 5) Nandina domestica ‘Obsessed’ – upright, evergreen shrub with white flowers and fire-engine red new shoots, foliage turn green in summer and red again in autumn as it matures.

Heavenly bamboo plants for sale: All 5 cultivars are available at Thompson and Morgan (visit product page). You may also be interested in other plant alternatives to bamboo with bamboo names.

Is Nandina heavenly bamboo a bamboo plant?

The leaves look like those of the bamboo plants that is why it is called Heavenly Bamboo. 

In fact, nandina heavenly bamboo is from the shrub family Berberidaceae and not grass family Poaceae. It is not clumping or running a bamboo plant. 

Nandina doemstica plant is a good alternative to bamboo plants as it provides an evergreen cover all year round.

How to propagate heavenly bamboo?

The quickest (and probably best) way to propagate nandina heavenly bamboo is from a root cutting.

• Carefully take root cutting and propagate it in a grow pot.
• Use well-drained moist loam soil or a potting mixture until it is ready for transplanting.

You can also grow nandina heavenly bamboo from stem cutting. Take the cutting, preferably, in summer and grow it in a propagating medium until roots appear. 

However, it can take longer compared to growing it from a root cutting Growing heavenly bamboo from seeds can take much longer, but you can get lots of plants from the seeds. 

The seeds are normally ready in late autumn and winter when it turns vibrant red.

• Pick the seeds and sow them in a propagator until they grow.
• Then, transplant them into grow pots before planting them in the garden.
• It can take 6-12 months before transplanting them, and it depends on the conditions.

How to grow healthy heavenly bamboo in the garden?

Nandina heavenly bamboo is undemanding and easy to grow. It can grow well in any location, but the colours of the foliage and berries are prominent in the sun. Plant in spring when new growths are emerging.

• Plant Nandina heavenly bamboo in well-drained, moist soil. It will also tolerate slightly acidic soil.
• Add mulch with bark chips after planting.
• Water generously until they are well established.

How to prune nandina heavenly bamboo plants?

New shoots grow after pruning in spring. (Garden Bamboo Plants)

Nandina is a slow-growing plant, that rarely needs pruning. However, light trimming especially in spring may be required to promote new growth. It is also the perfect way to keep it in shape. 

It is a vigorous plant and will grow new shoots as soon as spring arrives. 

Cut at a 45 degrees angle from the nodes with a clean pair of secateurs. 

Remove any old plant that looks tired. Take it completely off the bottom so that new plants can take over.

Conclusion

Nandina sacred heavenly bamboo plants have the perfect evergreen foliage that changes colours throughout the different seasons. 

They are well-known for their beautiful white flowers in summer, and fiery red leaves and berries in winter and autumn. They are undemanding and easy to grow.

How to take care of bamboo plants [Video]

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

Build bamboo boots barrier

The roots barrier is essential. 

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

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

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

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

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

Remove bamboo stems, branches and rhizomes

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Add mulch

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

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

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

It also gives your garden a neat appearance. 

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

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

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

Maintain bamboo plants

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

Slug attacks

Firstly, the new plants are prone to slug attacks. 

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

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

Staking new shoots

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

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

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

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

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

Taking care of bamboo plants outdoors

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

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

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

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

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

3. How to cut bamboo plants? 

4. Bamboo removal tools you should have

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

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

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

Grow bamboo in pots and containers, effective root barriers

Pots and containers are perfect bamboo root barriers. They are often the preferred medium for growing bamboos for small spaces and hedging screens. 

Best of all, once you’ve planted bamboo in the pots and containers they’ll grow for years without having to worry about the bamboo invading other spaces. 

Note that bamboo plants do not like waterlogged and dry soils. Choose heavy-duty pots and containers that have well-drained bottoms.

The underground parts of bamboos such as the rhizomes, base buds and roots will quickly occupy the spaces in the containers. 

These are the common shortfalls of growing bamboos in pots and containers, but they are the best solutions for growing the running bamboos for privacy screens, garden hedging and for small outdoor spaces. 

You can still grow bamboo in pots and containers and enjoy them. So, ensure the soil remains well-aerated, moist and well-drained. This will keep the bamboo happy, and they’ll thrive for many years. 

Here are practical tips based on our experiences over the years and provide practical solutions to many problems bamboo growers face when planting bamboo in contained spaces.

5 Ways to Create Bamboo Root Barriers

Bamboo root barriers are vital for containing invasive bamboo plants. 

We present 5 methods for stopping invasive bamboo plants so that you can choose what is best for you.

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

Where to buy root barriers for bamboo in the UK?

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

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

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

How to grow invasive bamboo plants in the garden - top tips

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. 

Take a look at the 5 best running bamboo plants to grow in the garden.

 

Planning before planting bamboos

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.

Check out the award-winning bamboo plants and where to buy them.

 

Evergreen running bamboo plants

The running bamboo plants are best for garden hedges and privacy screens. 

Golden Yellow Bamboo and Bamboo Vivax are stunning standalone plants. 

These bamboo plants grow fast and provide evergreen cover all year round. To enjoy them, take precautions, use root barriers or grow them in pots.

What Bamboo Plants Can You Grow In Pots for Outdoors and Indoors?

The common running and clumping bamboo plants in the UK will grow well in large planters. Many bamboo cultivators of both bamboo kinds are notable for their tolerance to small spaces.

In fact, bamboo plants are low demanding, hardy and drought resistant.

They are great plants to grow in pots, containers and plants indoors and outdoors. 

Check out best ways to grow healthy bamboo in pots, or see our sales page where you can find the renowned UK Home & Garden retailers for bamboo plants and supplies.

Many bamboo growers have opted to go for the clumping bamboo. 

But there are also great running bamboo that you can grow as pot plants for privacy screening the balcony, porch, deck or patio.

Notably, the small to medium bamboos are great pot and container plants. 

The small to medium bamboo plants range from a height of 2 metres to 6 metres. 

We have featured the popular bamboo plants in the UK here: Small Bamboo and Medium Bamboo Plants.

How to grow bamboo in pot and container planters?

In the case where you decide to keep the bamboo plants, here is what you can do to repot them into larger pots or additional containers.

• Separate the plant into even clumps, careful not to destroy the root hairs and or rhizomes.
• Prune the old culms (canes/stems), leaves, and excess roots.
• Select a good (open-top & stable) pot or container planter.
• Lay the base with porous sheets, pebbles or gravel.
• Fill the pot with a 50/50 potting mixture or loam soil.
• Put the bamboo into the pot, compact the soil into the pot leaving 10cm to 15cm space at the top.
• Add mulch,
• Water generously.

To separate the bamboo, you’ll need the right tools. 

An electrical saw is the best tool to separate the bamboo. However, a hacksaw is an ideal hand tool to use when separating the bamboo for replanting. 

Phyllostachys Aurea Golden Bamboo [Fishpole Bamboo]

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.

Check out the UK bamboo suppliers.

• 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. 

(Check out where to buy Bamboo and bamboo supplies)

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.

We invite you to check out our YouTube Channel – Amazing Bamboo Plants.

What Variegated Clumping Bamboo Plants to Grow?

Variegated bamboos come in different forms. Some are running while others are clumping bamboos. 

In this article, we list 5 variegated clumping 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.

Check out the 25 stunning collections of clumping and running bamboo plants

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.

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 white stripes 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 green stripes 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 yellow stripes 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 thinning to 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.

 

Best soil for growing new bamboo

Although bamboo plants are tolerant to different soil types, the new bamboo plants will need well-drained moist soil to produce new plants.

Improve soil fertility if the soil lacks nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K).

 

Grow bamboo in soil

New bamboo roots and shoots dislike waterlogged pots, soggy soil and dry-compacted soil. 

So, do not use sandy and porous soil because water passes through quickly. 

Also, avoid using hard and compacted soil high in clay when propagating new bamboo plants.

The best soil to grow bamboos in pots and containers is loamy soil topped with a humus-rich layer 5cm– 10cm. A loam soil that contains a mixture of clay is best for new plants.

Check out where to buy potting mixtures, feeds and fertilizers from top UK suppliers.

How to prepare loam soil

Humus and loamy soil are best for growing bamboo plants in pots. The mixture of clay, sand and silt creates the right condition for retaining moisture without waterlogging and is ideal for growing new bamboo.

 The loam soil is not easily available, but you can make a good mixture using sand, silt, and clay in the ratio of 1 : 1: 1. As a general rule, loam soil should consist of equal parts of all three soil types. For example, 3kg of sand to 3kg of silt to 3kg of clay.

The best time to plant bamboo is early Spring because new shoots and rhizomes grow at this time. 

If you are re-potting an old bamboo plant, make sure that the root hairs and rhizomes remain intact for the plant.

Improve soil for healthy bamboo growth

The first 5 – 12 months of a bamboo’s life in the soil is crucial. This archive of articles has lots of info about how to propagate bamboo plants, check it out.

It will need care and attention, so ensure that the soil remains moist and the condition is perfect for the plants to grow.

The starting points below will help you to create the best soil condition for the new bamboo plants. 

 

Water: 

Bamboo plants in pots will require more water than those grown in the ground. 

Give the plant a generous amount of water, but not too much that it runs out the bottom.

Feed: 

Bamboos in pots need nitrogen-rich organic liquid feed (such as Universal Granule Fertilisers). 

Add mulch such as small barks or grass cutting mixed with small twigs and branches if necessary.

Check: 

No pruning is necessary for the first 12 months after planting your bamboo. 

Check and remove weeds, insects, and dust on the leaves.

Care: 

Monitor the leaves of the bamboo as they are good indicators of the plant’s health.

Soil condition: 

If you think the soil is dry, push a stick or small metal through the top (10cm – 15cm) layer of the soil to check the moisture at different levels.

How to split bamboo plants?

Can you split bamboo plants for planting? The answer is yes, of course, you can divide bamboo into many parts before planting it in the ground. 

But importantly, will the segmented plants do as well as the parent plant? Let’s have a look at how you can divide a bamboo plant and yet get the best result.

Split running bamboo and clumping bamboo

The bamboo plants from the nurseries come in pots ready for planting.

Many gardeners and homeowners prefer to plant the potted bamboo straight into larger pots or in the garden. 

It is perfectly fine if you are growing bamboo for decorative purposes or as ornamental pot plants. 

However, if you plan to use bamboo as a natural screen for a small outdoor space or for garden hedging, it would be ideal to separate the bamboo into smaller segments so that you can get several plants growing at once. 

In fact, you can split both the running and clumping bamboos into small divisions and plant them out. They are vigorous plants and will do well under the right growing conditions. 

If you need more details, here is how to provide the right conditions for new bamboo plants to grow.

How to split bamboo plants?

So, how do you split bamboo plants? 

The best way to split bamboo is to divide them into equal parts while keeping the roots hairs and rhizomes intact. 

These 10-pointers will help you to split the bamboo plants and grow them for the best results.

1. Remove the bamboo from the growing pot. (If the bamboo is too hard to remove, add water – or soak the whole pot in water – before trying again)
2. Inspect the rhizome nodes, root hairs, and signs of new growth.
3. Use a hacksaw or handsaw to separate the bamboos. Ideally, you should have 3 – 5 culms on each segmented bamboo.
4. Remove any dry culms, branches or leaves.
5. Trim the top of the long culms to redirect nutrients and energy to other parts of the plant where they are needed the most.
6. Soak the segmented bamboos in water before repotting or planting in the ground. It is a good idea to plant the segmented bamboos into the ground immediately. Always, keep the root moist if you need to take a break before planting.
7. Compact the soil or compost into the hole or pot.
8. Support/Stake any long culms.
9. Add Mulch generously.
10. Add water.

Tools for splitting and planting bamboo plants.

 

Pros and cons of splitting bamboo plants

Splitting bamboo plants into equal segments is particularly beneficial if you do not want to buy additional plants for privacy screening or garden hedging. 

In hindsight, you save money when dividing a bamboo plant before planting, and will probably get the most out of what you buy. 

Alternatively, grow the bamboo in the garden and separate them as they grow to fill out the gaps in the hedge. 

Note that the bamboo plants are fast-growing, but it can take 3 – 5 years before you can safely take cuttings off them. 

The major factor that you should consider when splitting bamboo is the growth factor – whether the segmented plants will do well or not!

Split potted bamboo plants before-care

Cutting the plants can cause stress which can destroy the whole bamboo. Instead of getting more than one plant, you might end up getting nothing. 

So, here are three things that are important to ensuring the segmented bamboo plants grow: time, site and soil. 

Time: 

The planting season is important. This is also the time when you can separate the potted bamboo plants and re-grow them.

Many experts recommend planting bamboo early in Spring when the plants’ growth is prominent. 

Site: 

Prepare the site properly. 

Bamboos are tolerant plants. They will grow where you plant them. 

However, to create an ideal growing site, dig holes twice as wide as the diameter of the plants, and deeper than the heights of the ‘holding pots’. 

Understandably, the wider and deeper the holes, the easier it will be for the new bamboo plants to establish themselves. 

Soil: 

Use loam soil which is best for growing bamboo plants. Alternatively, use 50/50 compost. 

Add mulch and tend the plant immediately after planting and the following Summer to protect and care for them as they grow. 

Water generously, but not too much that it gets waterlogged.

Split bamboo plants after-care

In the early stage, you need to pay close attention to the bamboo, especially the bamboo plants that you grow from divisions. 

Not only that the plants are under stress, but the new conditions may not be favourable. 

Furthermore, it is going to be fairly warm in Spring and Summer. The new plants will require a generous amount of water. 

Also, the slugs will be out to ‘party’ – add slug pellets to protect the new growth. Other care provisions include the following:

• staking the new culms so that they do not break,
• adding mulch to preserve and or retain moisture, and
• weeding and removing fallen leaves that are covering any new growth.

Keep an eye on the new plants to make sure they do not dry out in the summer. 

In closure, you can split a bamboo plant into segments and grow them. The pros of splitting bamboo plants outweigh the cons. 

Get the time, site and soil right when splitting and planting the bamboo in pots or in the garden.

How to Plant Bamboo in Soil

Most runner and clump-forming bamboos that grow in the UK will thrive if they are planted in well-prepared soil with good moisture. 

Learn about how to plant new bamboo in soil and what soil is best for growing them.

How to plant bamboo in soil

Holding pots

• Choose a decent size pot for your bamboo plants.
• Lay the bottom of the pot with pebbles or a porous sheath to prevent the potting mix from falling out and making a mess.

Soil

• Add the loam soil into the pot or container.
• Plant the soil in the pot or container and firm down the soil, careful not to break the new shoots and rhizome tips.

Moisture

• Add hummus, and use compost or mulch around the bamboo to a depth of 5cm – 10cm.
• Water generously.

Check out where to buy potting mixtures, composts and large pots for growing bamboo in soil from top UK home & garden suppliers.

Grow healthy bamboo in soil

Soil with good moisture content and rich in nutrients is ideal for planting new bamboo. 

But how do we know that the soil is fit for the healthy growth of the new bamboo?

Although matured bamboos are not fussy about where they are planted, the new bamboo plants are fussy. 

They need soil rich in nutrients and moisture in order to survive their first year.

Give your new bamboo plants a good start by doing these.

Use well-prepared soil rich in moisture and nutrients: Use loam soil, topped with mulch to reduce water loss.

Choose the right variety of bamboo: Select the variety that grows well in pots and containers in the UK.

 Select the right size pot or container: Choose a large pot with proper drainage holes. 

How to new bamboo plants grow in soil?

Newly planted bamboo in well-drained, moist soil will thrive when they've established a strong root system. this will be obvious from the healthy culms (stems), branches and leaves.

This video provides insight into how a new bamboo grows in the soil.

 

Plant new bamboo in soil

This archive of articles has lots of info about how to propagate new bamboo plants, check it out. 

The articles are insightful (and personal) take on how to propagate, transplant and grow bamboo plants successfully. 

You can see most of out work on our YouTube channel too.

We hope this article inspires you to grow your own bamboo plant in the garden and enjoy the beauty of this amazing plant.

10 Examples of Using Bamboo Plants and Bamboo Canes

Garden bamboo plants have special properties and structural compositions that are beneficial to gardeners and homeowners. 

Find out about the 10 examples to Use Bamboo Plants and Bamboo Canes in the Garden.

Uses of bamboo plants and bamboo canes

The bamboos are evergreen, hardy and tolerant to pests and diseases, and come in different sizes, colours and shapes. 

Their leaves, culms and roots have been used as home remedies, stimulants, home décor and garden sticks. 

 The benefits and uses are unlimited! Here are 10 examples of using Bamboo Plants and Bamboo Canes.

1. Greenery all year round

Bamboos are evergreen. 

This is probably the most common benefit of bamboo plants, especially for garden hedges and natural privacy screens. 

The fact that they stay green all year round and are fast-growing makes them the best natural screens. 

Bamboo foliage does not fall off in Autumn, even in very cold weather conditions. 

Some plants will remain green even at minus 20 degrees Celsius. 

They are the best natural plants for screening unsightly features.

Bamboos you can grow for green cover all year round, hardy and tolerate very cold weather: Tall bamboo plants for garden hedging and privacy (multiple plants)

2. Stop topsoil erosion

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

Both bamboo plants have strong rooting systems composed of rhizomes, base buds and root hairs. 

The network of underground roots is firm and can stabilise loose soil, stopping it from being washed away by running rain (or drain) water.

Bamboos you can grow for stopping topsoil erosion: Clumping bamboo plants (multiple)  

3. Provide thick natural fence walls

Bamboo culms tend to grow in clusters, especially those of the clumping bamboos. 

They form thick walls and are good natural fences when planted close together. 

Note that the clumping bamboos do not spread like their running cousins. 

Grow the clumping bamboo along the boundary for the natural wall fence.

Here is a comparison of running vs clumping bamboo for natural wall fences.

4. Edible bamboo shoots

Only a few bamboos are edible. You can grow them and enjoy the new shoots. 

Here are some edible bamboo plants that you can actually grow, harvest and eat.

Edible bamboos: Bamboo Phyllostachys Sulphurea Viridis  and Phyllostachys flexuosa Sinuate Bamboo and Phyllostachys atrovaginata Incense Bamboo

5. Use bamboo leaves mulch

The leaves are a great source of Silica which is beneficial to plants. 

The mulch from the bamboo leaves can protect the plants from frost in Winter and preserve moisture in Summer. 

The decomposing leaves are a source of fertiliser for the plants. The three bamboo plants below have broad and elongated leaves which can be pruned.

Best bamboo for mulch: Fargesia Robusta Wolong Broad Leaf Bamboo, Fargesia murielae Ivory Ibis clumping bamboo and Fargesia murielae Blue Lizard.

 

6. Bamboo Canes for garden and pot plants

One of the best things about growing bamboo is that you can use bamboo canes for staking plants, garden frames and trellis to support creeping plants like the runner beans.

We covered the home and garden uses of bamboo canes extensively in this article – take a look: Bamboo plants for sticks.

7. Use bamboo sheaths, branches and sticks for arts and crafts

Bamboo sheaths, branches and sticks are great for DIY arts and crafts because they are thin, tough and bendable. You can create any shape with them. 

 The uses are limitless, it depends on your creativity. 

For example, the bamboo sheaths can be cut to make windmills and the sticks used for making mini rafts (Below is a video of mini rafts we built out of bamboo canes and had lots of fun with). 

Adult supervision will be required when cutting the bamboo sheaths and sticks.

Bamboos you can grow for sheaths and sticks: Fargesia Blue Dragon Papyrifera Borinda and Fargesia Borinda Angustissima Frosty Bamboo

 

 

8. Used for making drinking water cups, mugs and storage tubes

The timber bamboo plants have a lot of uses, including some of the large varieties of Phyllostachys bamboo. 

The thick and hollow bamboo segments are perfect for making water storage like bamboo cups, mugs, and pencils storage.

Large timber bamboos: Timber Bamboo Phyllostachys Bambusoides and Moso Timber bamboo

9. Make musical wind instruments

Bamboo instruments have been used for thousands of years in ancient China and parts of the South Pacific region. 

They are great wind instruments and can be easily made from common bamboo that is common in the UK. 

 The bamboo flutes, bamboo harps and wind chimes are some examples. 

Our YouTube video shows the use of a bamboo harp in traditional storytelling in the Pacific.

Long internode and hollow culm bamboos: Phyllostachys Bissettii and Phyllostachys Vivax

10. Use bamboo to make grow pots and seed-trays

Bamboo pots and trays are eco-friendly substitutes for plastic seed pots and grow trays. They are reusable, you can use them for many years.

 Bamboo products are biodegradable and will break down within 3 – 5 years and turn into soil. 

Here is a step-by-step guide for making your own bamboo seed propagators. 

Giant timber bamboo plants for seed propagator pots and trays: Timber Bamboo Phyllostachys Bambusoides and Moso Timber bamboo

Benefits of bamboo plants: pros and cons

Apart from the 10 uses of bamboo, they have been used extensively to make tea, wine, beers, vinegar and many natural home remedies. 

However, there are special bamboos that are fit for these purposes, and not all bamboo plants are useful. 

Some bamboos have little hairy spikes on the sheaths that can make skin itch. 

Many have tough culms that are razor sharp. Others are invasive. 

And not all bamboos are edible. 

Therefore, though there are many benefits of bamboo plants, you have to know what kind of bamboo you should grow. 

Selecting the right bamboo plant to grow is the first thing to think about.

Common Phyllostachys and Fargesia bamboos

Here at GardenBambooPlants.com, we featured over 70 bamboo plants that thrive in the UK weather. The suggestions above will help you to find the right plant. 

At gardenbambooplants.com, we feature these bamboos because they can grow in the warmer parts of the UK. 

We also know that bamboo seeds and cuttings are often hard to get. One suggestion is to contact the plant's nurseries, garden centres or online retailers and ask for the particular plants that you are looking for. 

You can also leave a message below to let us know about your requirements and we'll get back to you as soon as we can. 

Check out these renowned UK home and garden retailers to get bamboo and bamboo supplies.

What do you think about the 10 examples of using Bamboo Plants and Bamboo Canes?

The 10 benefits of bamboos are a guide to the uses of these unique plants. 

There are many uses and benefits of these plants. 

We compiled this list based on our work with bamboos. 

We hope that it will inspire you to be creative as you unravel the many benefits of these fantastic plants.

Leave a comment and let us know what you think.

How to Grow Bamboo from Cuttings [12 MONTHS 6 VIDEO UPDATES]

I grow the Golden Chinese Timber Bamboo, Phyllostachys vivax f. areosulcata from Rhizome cuttings in August last year.  The bamboo plants are a year old and are looking great.

It has been a year of learning to grow bamboo from cuttings. It requires care for the delicate new shoots where I kept the snails away, staked the new bamboo shoots and watered them during the warm summer months.

 

Height of the bamboo plants - measured

I measure the height of the bamboo plants at 2 weeks (August), 4 & 6 weeks (September) and 8 weeks (October). The growth pattern I observed was interesting. 

The fast-growing bamboo shoots reached over 60cm in 8 weeks (2 months).

By the end of the 12th month, the height of the longest bamboo was 106cm which means that the bamboo shoot grew only 40cm in 10 months.

But, something interesting happened during that time. [Watch the 1 Year Video Update to find out what happened]

VIDEOS UPDATES: How to Grow Bamboo from Rhizome Cuttings

This raw video list shows the work that I did over the period of 12 months, from the summer of 2021 to 2022.

Video 1: Grow Bamboo in the Propagating medium (2 weeks growth)

I used a bucket as a bamboo propagator. Planted the rhizomes in the bucket for 2 weeks until the roots and shoots germinated before transplanting them into Holding Pots.

Video 2: Bamboo Growing in the Propagating medium (4 weeks growth) New Growth Eaten by Slugs

I had to stop the slugs from eating the new shoots by applying slug & snail pellets.  It worked.

Video 3: Transplanting new bamboo from Propagator to Holding Pot (4 weeks growth)

Video 4: Calculating the Growth Rate of Bamboo in the Pots (8 weeks growth) - how fast does bamboo grow in a day?

In this video, I measured the height of the new bamboo shoots for 8 weeks and found the growth rate of this bamboo.

Video 5: How tall a bamboo grows in one year

From my observations, a new shoot will grow super fast in the first two months.

Then, put out branches and leaves and establish the rooting underground.

The first shoot can reach a metre to two metres, eventually doubling the height as it grows.

Video 6: What happens as a new bamboo plant grows? [Expected Height by Year]

Like most plants, a newly planted bamboo will not reach its full height in the first year.

Each year the bamboo will grow taller, in some cases twice as tall as the previous plant.

It will reach its matured height in 4-5 years and last for as long as 20-30 years.

Notably, a bamboo grove can last even longer due to the bamboo plant's re-generative growth behaviour, unlike the trees.

Important note about bamboo propagation

Different bamboo plants have different growth rates and patterns, features, soil, light & shade preferences.

Also, the propagation technique (seedlings, rhizome cutting, stem cuttings, etc) used will affect the growth of new bamboo plants. 

In this particular work, I am propagating the Golden Chinese Timber Bamboo, Phyllostachys vivax f. areosulcata from Rhizome cuttings.

Use it as an informational guide to growing the tall Phyllostachys from the rhizome cuttings.