10 reasons why bamboo is sustainable material

The sustainability of the bamboos is very much attributed to several factors. 

The two standout factors are the fast-growing nature of the plants; and less energy consumption in the manufacturing of bamboo-based products. 

Read on to find out why bamboo produces sustainable materials for homes and gardens.

Are bamboos sustainable?

Here are 10 facts about bamboo plants and what makes them sustainable plants.

1. Bamboos are fast-growing plants

A single bamboo plant, on average, can produce 4 to 5 times more products compared to a tree because they grow fast. 

Bamboo plants will grow from new plants or regenerate from old plants. 

It can take less than 5 years before harvesting whereas a tree will take 20 - 30 years, even more.

That means that the supply can sustain the demand for bamboo products and accessories.

2. Bamboo manufacturing uses less energy

It takes less energy to make bamboo products like the toothbrush as compared to the plastic toothbrush. 

The raw material (petroleum) need to make plastic products uses a lot of energy to extract, transport and converted into plastic. 

But bamboos, are simply harvested, prepared and converted to usable items.

In fact, the manufacturing process of bamboo products is less intensive.

 

Read more about the Kitchen Accessories

3. Bamboo plants absorb carbon dioxide (CO2) fast

Living bamboos use CO2 to grow. So, as fast-growing plants, they absorb more CO2 in less time than trees and other plants.

An acre of a bamboo garden can absorb more CO2 than an average acre of trees and or meadow.

4. Bamboo plants produce more oxygen

Attributed to the fast rate of growth, bamboo plants produce more oxygen compared to an average tree. 

These plants are evergreen and also remain photosynthetically actively all throughout the year.

On average, they release more oxygen and absorb more CO2 than the trees.

5. Bamboo products are flexible and durable

Products made from bamboo are tough, flexible and durable. 

The fibres can tolerate temperatures up to 100 degrees Celsius.

The products made of bamboo will last a long time.

6. Bamboo products are safe and hygienic

Bamboo-based products are naturally tolerant to pests and diseases because they have antibacterial properties in their fibres.

This often prevents the growth of moulds, bacteria and other microbes.

7. Bamboos are great garden plants

Bamboo plants tend to grow in clusters forming thick evergreen bushes. 

In addition to absorbing CO2 and producing oxygen, they provide habitats for other insects and animals.

They are also great plants for garden mulch, hedges, natural screens and for stopping water from washing off the topsoil.

8. Bamboos regenerate from parent plants

One of the things about bamboos less mentioned is the fact that these plants can regenerate from the parent plants.

The growth pattern is such that the new bamboos are going to be taller than the previous ones. 

So, when old plants are cut and used, new and healthy plants will quickly grow to replace them.

This can take less than 3 - 5 years for these new bamboo plants to reach maturity, unlike the tree which can take 20 - 30 years (or even more) before they are ready.

9. Is bamboo a tree or grass?

Bamboo plants are grass. 

They have underground stems (running bamboos) and base clumps (clumping bamboo, unlike the trees and shrubs.

The main difference between a tree and bamboo as the grass is in the parts of the plant. 

Bamboo plants have features of common grass.

10. Is bamboo monocarpic or polycarpic?

Bamboo is a Monocarpic plant. It can take several years before a bamboo plant produces flowers.

A Polycarpic Plant produces flowers several times a year. So bamboo is not Polycarpic, but a Monocarpic plant.

Though bamboo Monocarpic plant, it can be propagated in many different ways - that is why it is highly sustainable.

Benefits of garden bamboo plants

The garden bamboos have special properties that are beneficial to gardeners and homeowners. 

In an earlier article, we discuss the benefits of these plants, and in particular, the benefits of the Phyllostachys and Fargesia bamboos.

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

Aside from the 8 facts, there are many benefits of living bamboo plants. 

Bamboos have a high tolerance to pests and diseases due to the presence of special antibacterial properties in bamboo fibres.

All in all, bamboo plants can grow and also regenerate from their parent plants very quickly. 

They are useful garden plants as well as the best alternatives to trees and plastics.

How fast does a bamboo plant grow?

We measured the growth of the Phyllostachys Vivax (Golden Yellow Chinese Bamboo) in the garden last summer. We took the length it grew every day and worked out the average growth rate. It was an interesting finding.

How fast bamboo plants grow in the UK - measured.

The obvious advantage of growing bamboo plants is that they are fast-growing. You get the evergreen hedge or screen faster compared to the common hedge shrubs and plants. 

How fast bamboo grows in spring in the UK - YouTube video

How fast bamboo grow in summer in the UK - Video

How far do bamboo plants spread?

Always use the bamboo roots/rhizome barrier when growing the running bamboo plants. They are invasive. 

The rhizomes will spread to other parts of the garden if you do not have a barrier in place. We recommend putting in a root barrier before growing the running bamboo. 

Alternatively, grow bamboo in heavy-duty pots. The bamboo plants will start to spread in the first year of planting. In fact, the rhizomes are underground stems. The new (running) shoots growing above the ground indicate that new rhizomes are also growing underground. 

The growth is prominent after 5 years. That means that bamboo can stay inactive underground until the condition is right for them to put out new shoots. 

So, the running bamboo plants will spread after you’ve planted them or remain inactive until the condition is right. Either way, always use a bamboo barrier when growing the running bamboo.

  Building a bamboo root barrier

How long does a bamboo plant last?

Generally, how long a bamboo plant lasts pretty much depends on the kind of bamboo. There are about 800 different cultivars of running and clumping bamboo plants that thrive in the UK and US.

However, worldwide there are about 1500 species of bamboo plants. Above all, there are two important factors that contribute to the longevity of bamboo plants. 

The ‘growth behaviour of the new bamboo shoots’ and ‘the regenerative behaviour of the bamboo grove’. The two growth behaviours make bamboo plants sustainable. You can grow and enjoy for as long as you want.

Where to buy bamboo plants?

Bamboo plants come in pots. You can remove the plants in the pot and grow them in the garden. If you want to get more plants from a pot, read about how to separate the bamboo plants. Some bamboo plants are running whereas others are clumping. 

Before buying a bamboo plant, decide what type of bamboo you want to grow - running or clumping? 

Here are some renowned UK retailers where you can get your bamboo plants and supplies.

Knowing how fast bamboo grows and how far it can spread will help you to maintain your bamboo plants. Check out the 'blue' links to the Garden Bamboo Plants website and YouTube channel for more information on bamboo care.

Buy Clumping Red Bamboo Fargesia murielae 'Red Zebra'

Fargesia murielae 'Red Zebra' bamboo is an attractive small clumping bamboo with deep dark red matured culm and evergreen foliage. 

The Red Zebra is a standout ornament bamboo.

The new shoots and sheaths are covered in variable patterns of purplish-brown tints against the green cluster of leaves and gives Red Zebra bamboo its stunning look. 

The intensity of red in matured stems also adds to the distinct appearance that is similar to popular black running and clumping bamboos.

General description

• Name: Fargesia murielae Red Zebra, Umbrella Bamboo Red Zebra 
• Culm: Upright, purplish tints, culm matures to deep dark red. 
• Height: 2 - 3m. Spread: 1 - 2m, clump-forming.
• Foliage: Evergreen, leaves can be pruned. 

Growth requirement

• Hardiness: Fully hardy bamboo. 
• Site: Full sun, part shade and shade. 
• Soil: Loose nutrient-rich soil or loam, well-drained and moist 
• Use: Ornamental plant, garden centrepiece, individual plant.

'Red Zebra' bamboo plant care

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

The bamboo care tips will help you to maintain your clumping bamboo plants.

Thinning

Thinning bamboo plants once or twice a year to promote new growths and keep the plant under control. 

So, selectively trim the old culms and new shoots that you do not want within the bamboo grove.

Pruning

Pruning bamboo is intensive work compared to thinning bamboo. 

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

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

Mulch

Mulching is a highly recommended care and maintenance job. 

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

Always use the bamboo leaves as mulch since they contain silicon which is naturally high in nitrogen. 

Organic mulch such as tree barks, and grass cuttings mixed with twigs and branches are also great bamboo mulch. 

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

Buy clumping bamboo plants like ‘Red Zebra ’

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

If you are looking for clumping bamboo plants for sale, check out the link to UK retailers.

Our visitors suggested that we identify bamboos that have similar features to the bamboos we are featuring in each article. 

We feel that this is a great suggestion because it makes it easier to cross-reference these bamboos when making comparisons. 

We are listing 3 bamboos that are similar to the Fargesia murielae ‘Red Zebra ’. 

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

1. Fargesia nitida ‘Volcano’
2. Red Panda Fargesia Bamboo
3. Fargesia Robusta Wolong

Maintain clumping bamboo plants

The clump formers are non-invasive bamboos, however, clumpers in pots and containers will require repotting after 4 or 5 years. 

In addition, the clumping bamboos in the garden do not grow out of the allocated space as the running bamboos do. 

Nevertheless, they tend to 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 which is also an ideal time to get new plant divisions and bamboo sticks.

Clumping bamboo 'Red Zebra'

All in all, the Fargesia murielae ‘Red Zebra’ is a stunning bamboo to grow in pots or use as an individual garden centrepiece.

What bamboo plants to grow in pots?

Bamboos are great standalone plants. 

They’ll look absolutely beautiful in pots. You can grow bamboo in pots for both running and clumping varieties.

Let’s have a look at what bamboos you can grow in pots, and their advantages and disadvantages.

How to find the best bamboo for pots?

Most of the bamboo on gardenbambooplant.com are suitable for pots. We list over 100 bamboo plants that thrive in the UK. 

Each bamboo in the list is chosen based on its recommended uses, growth requirements and special features. 

We identified the features so that you can find the best bamboo for pots and in shade, part-shade or sun.  

Use the tips to identify the right bamboo.

What bamboo to grow in pots

We arranged most of them into groups to make it easy for our visitors. Here are some bamboos that you can grow in pots.

• Yellow bamboo plants
• Red Clumping Bamboo Plants
• Chinese Dwarf Bamboo Plants
• Bamboos that grow well in shade
• Bamboo plants for balcony screening
• Small bamboo < 1 metre for garden hedges
• Variegated Running and Clumping Bamboo plants

Bamboo propagated from rhizome cuttings

How to grow bamboo in pots?

The bamboos’ spread, height and other growth requirements are based on garden conditions, therefore, they will NOT grow to the specifications when in pots. 

As a rule of thumb, estimate a growth specification of 50%-75%. For example, a bamboo that grows to a height of 2 metres in the garden condition will grow to a height of 1.5 metres in the pot. 

 Ideally, use large heavy-duty pots. Remember that the size of the pots will determine how often to re-pot the bamboo. 

The larger the better. 

Smaller pots will require re-potting in less than two years given how fast bamboos grow. 

Check out this article for more information on how to grow bamboo in pots.

What pots to grow bamboo?

Bamboos are tough plants but are responsive to prolonged heat and waterlogged areas. Avoid using metal and ceramic pots. 

These materials store heat which can affect the underground parts due to heat exposure during the warm summer months. 

Your bamboo should be okay if you use a pot that does not store heat. 

Heavy-duty plastic pots, treated wood planters, or resin containers and planters will do the job. Another important factor is drainage. 

Use well-drained pots to grow bamboo plants. Avoid any pot that has poor drainage. 

The pots should be well-drained so that not too much water is lost in warmer months, and is not waterlogged when it rains.

What are the advantages of growing bamboo in pots?

Bamboo in pots offers tranquillity and creates a calming atmosphere both indoors and outdoors. 

You can grow both the running and clumping bamboos in pots, move them around and create an ideal home and garden space. 

The clumping bamboos are fantastic for large pots, while they prevent running bamboo rhizomes from spreading. 

They also offer flexibility for moving them around. For example, they can be given as presents or moved indoors to decorate patios, balconies and porches.

What are the disadvantages of growing bamboo in pots?

The main worry about growing bamboo is the invasiveness. 

More so, it requires ongoing care and maintenance such as pruning, thinning and re-potting. 

Pots are great barriers when it comes to stopping bamboo from invading other spaces.

Growing bamboos in pots

The advantages of growing bamboo in pots far outweigh the disadvantages. 

The pots are great barriers when growing bamboo plants. So, use large heavy-duty plastic pots. 

They are best for growing bamboo plants. There is no limit to what bamboo you can grow in pots. 

You can grow both varieties and enjoy the evergreen plants all year round.

Conclusion (Can you grow bamboo in pots?)

Both running and clumping bamboos are amazing pot plants. Hope the related articles give you an idea about what bamboo you can grow in pots. 

Comment and let us know what you think. 

You can also follow us on YouTube and see our latest work in the Bamboo Garden.

Parts of a running bamboo plant - diagram

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

Here is the diagram of the parts of a running bamboo plant.

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

Importance of knowing the parts of a bamboo

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

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

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

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

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

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 dig out bamboo roots using hand tools

Digging out bamboo roots needs planning and the right tools. This article provides all the info you need to know based on the work we did in the bamboo garden over many years. 

Find out how to remove bamboo rhizomes the right way by using hand tools.

Best hand tools for digging up bamboo

Bamboo roots/rhizomes and base buds are rough, you've got to have tougher tools to deal with them. 

The best hand tool for digging out bamboo is a pickaxe. Though it's heavy, it will make work lighter.

Also, you will need a pair of shears, a spade/shovel, a crowbar and a pruning hand saw.

Use a sealable bin to keep the rhizome cutting until they are dry.

Get the tools from top UK Home & Garden suppliers listed at the GBP website.  

List of tools for digging bamboo:

• Pickaxe 
• Crowbar
• Pair of garden shears
• Spade
• Pruning hand saw

Dig out bamboo roots

When digging out bamboo, always do a clean cut through the rhizomes without pulling or splitting because the remaining parts will grow back, quickly.

Also, take precautions when digging up bamboo roots. The bamboo slits are razor sharp and can cause injury.

As a rule of thumb, cut the bamboo roots and rhizomes into smaller segments and keep them in a dry area until they dry before discarding.

You may find this article useful too: 5 ways to stop bamboo from spreading

Rhizomes and clump bases

Running bamboo rhizomes are underground stems. 

Clumping bamboo plants do not have rhizomes, instead, the roots form clusters around the plants called clump bases. 

Here is how to dig out bamboo rhizomes and clump bases to propagate.

• Select the rhizomes that have buds or shoots coming out at the nodes.
• Put the straight into shade or bucket of water.
• For Runner bamboos cut 4 – 6 nodes or 3 – 5 internodes off the rhizome.
• If you are working with Clump-forming bamboos, separate the compact clumps with 2 – 4 bamboo canes/culms on the cuttings.
• Re-grow the rhizome cuttings immediately.

Tool: You will need a sharp pair of secateurs or garden loppers for snipping the branches and cutting the rhizomes. 

B&Q has a great collection of cutting and pruning tools - check them out.

When taking the bamboo cutting off the mother plant, do not disturb any new buds and small roots on the cuttings. 

Put the cuttings in shade or into a bucket of water so that the roots remain fresh for re-planting.

Dig out bamboo best non-chemical removal method

The rhizomes (and clump base) of many bamboo plants in the UK do not grow deep into the soil. 

They grow horizontally along with the top layer of the dirt at an average depth of 5 – 20cm. 

If you are going to re-grow the cutting, avoid using chemicals that can potentially damage the parent plant and the cuttings. 

(Read about the 4 Natural Ways to Kill Bamboos Permanently)

When removing invasive bamboo, always work smart, not hard. 

Identify where the rhizomes are running before digging. 

Here is how to dig out bamboo without using chemicals.

Cut stems

• Cut the bamboo stems at 180 degrees across (horizontally), close to the ground. (Dig out the bamboo or use them in the garden)

Dig out dirt

• Dig a drain around or along with the bamboo to a depth of 5 – 20cm.
• Dig out the soil and dirt, cut off the rhizomes and clean the root hairs.

Remove rhizomes and clump bases

• Removing rhizomes: Identify which way the rhizomes are running or how the clumps are formed, and dig along the rhizomes before removing them. (Do not break the rhizomes as they will grow back if left in the soils).
• Removing bamboo base clumps: Use a pickaxe to dig out the base of the bamboo – one base stem at a time.

Do these before binning

• Use a pair of secateurs or garden loppers to cut the stems into smaller pieces about 1 – 3cm.
• Remove any side buds and root hairs to avoid any chance of growing back.
• Leave the rhizome cuttings in direct sunlight and starve them off water and shade for 3 – 5 days or unit the rhizomes turn brown. This should be enough to kill them completely.

Tools you’ll need: Hacksaw, pickaxe, pair of secateurs or garden loopers. Get them here 

Work smart when digging up bamboo roots

The bamboos have tough rhizomes (underground stems) and culms (stems), so work smart when digging them up.

Care should be taken when cutting the bamboo stems and rhizomes.

Hope this article gives you an idea about how to dig out and remove bamboo rhizomes in your garden and stop the rhizomes from spreading into other spaces.

Check out the blog's archive for more info on how to remove bamboo roots/rhizomes.

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.

 ____ 

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.

Grow Clumping Fargesia murielae 'Ivory Ibis'

Fargesia murielae 'Ivory Ibis ' is a clump-forming umbrella bamboo. This bamboo is a standout, it has upright dense culms and ivory evergreen foliage. 

It is an ideal choice for a formidable natural hedge or privacy screen. 

Bamboo Ivory Ibis is an undemanding bamboo hardy to -25 degrees Celsius and can also tolerate prolonged dry periods. Excellent bamboo for pots and containers, too.

General description

• Name: Fargesia murielae ‘Ivory Ibis’, Umbrella bamboo 'Ivory Ibis'
• Foliage: Evergreen, white shade on leaves (ivory).
• Culm: Upright, green stem, dense.
• Height: 3 - 4m, medium height bamboo, can be pruned.
• Spread: 2 - 3m, clump-forming.

Growth requirement

• Site: Shade, part shade to full sun.
• Soil: Clay and heavy soil (prefer well-drained moist soil)
• Hardiness: – 25 to –20 degrees Celsius.
• Use: Individual plant, pots, hedge, privacy screen.

Buy Fargesia murielae Ivory Ibis

Ivory Ibis bamboo is an ideal plant for privacy screening apartments, balconies, porches or any small outdoor place. 

It is also an ideal hedge plant in the garden because you can prune the leaves and new shoots. 

You can get more information on bamboo plants, tools and natural bamboo products from the renowned UK Home and Garden retailers we work with. 

5 Fargesia murielae bamboos similar to ‘Ivory Ibis’

Finding this bamboo at the local nursery or garden centre can be hard, therefore we provide 5 alternative bamboos that are similar to the ‘Ivory Ibis’. 

The similarities are based on 5 important factors: Fargesia bamboo, similar height, similar foliage, and similar hardiness and can be used as a hedging screen.

1. 'Red Zebra'
2. 'Dino'
3. 'Blue Lizard'
4. 'Blue Dargon'
5. 'Frosty Bamboo'

We also featured a special group of Award-Winning Bamboo Plants. 

These bamboos received the RHS Merit Award in the UK and other Bamboo Awards for their notable garden features. 

If you are having difficulty selecting bamboo, this group of bamboo plants will not disappoint you.

Working with bamboos

The clumping bamboo plants such as the 'Ivory Ibis' are non-invasive bamboos, however, clumpers in pots and containers will require repotting after 4 or 5 years. 

Many bamboo growers will attest to the fact that it is often hard work removing the bamboo from a pot or container when they’ve filled out the space. 

To make the work lighter, always select the right pots before planting your bamboo plants. 

The Fargesia group of bamboos are generally well-behaved, however, the underground bamboo parts expand around the base. 

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

The culms of the Ivory Ibis will definitely require thinning and pruning after the first 3 years because of their dense culm clusters. 

This is the ideal time to prune the whole plant and get new plant divisions and bamboo sticks. 

Examples of bamboo sticks in use in pots and patio

Fargesia murielae Ivory Ibis

All in all, the Fargesia murielae ‘Ivory Ibis’ is an excellent bamboo for hedging and privacy screens. 

Its dense upright culms and thick foliage are the perfect features for creating a natural dense cover. 

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

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

You can see most of our work on YouTube.

How close to the boundary can you grow bamboo plants?

Bamboo plants are great because they are fast-growing and beautiful natural plants.

They are also invasive, but not all bamboo plants do spread. We advocate for bamboo root/rhizome barriers when growing the running bamboo plants.

Here are some tough questions that you should ask when growing bamboo along the boundaries and build-up areas.

 

How close to the pavement to grow screening bamboo?

Careful when growing privacy screening bamboo near patios and pavements. 

The patios and pavements laid with sand do not stand a chance against the rhizome’s tips. The tips will invade the tiny gaps and force their way through the pavement blocks.

Choose a suitable clumping bamboo to plant near patios and pathways. 

If you choose running bamboo, create a barrier. Alternatively, dig a small trench or a raised base (bed) to protect the pavement.

How far away from the neighbour’s side to grow bamboo?

Grow the bamboo in a barrier and at least a metre away from the boundary. This ‘one-metre’ space provides Access Way to the bamboo plants and will help you to monitor the growth of the new shoots and rhizome tips.

The key point is that the Access Way helps you to spot and stop running rhizomes and shoots growing into the neighbour’s side. In other words, leave a gap between the boundary and where you chose to plant the bamboo.

If you wish to grow a bamboo privacy screen close to the boundary, use a raised base (bed) or dig a narrow trench to stop the bamboo from creeping onto your neighbour’s side.

Related articles on Evergreen Outdoor Privacy Screen

Readers' note: This article is so long that we split it into several parts. Here are the related parts that you may also like to read:

• PART 1: EVERGREEN BAMBOO SCREENS FOR BALCONY AND TERRACE
• PART 2: FAST-GROWING EVERGREEN OUTDOOR PRIVACY SCREEN - ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW [WITH IMAGES]
• PART 3: HOW CLOSE TO THE BOUNDARY CAN YOU GROW BAMBOO PLANTS?
• PART 4: BAMBOO PRIVACY SCREEN CARE AND MAINTENANCE
• PART 5: HOW DOES A BAMBOO PLANT GROW? [VIDEO]

Solve Bamboo Problems with ‘Access Way’

Many people want to grow bamboo, but they fear it might spread uncontrollably.

Reassuringly, there is no need to worry if you want a quick result for a bamboo screen. Try to understand how a bamboo plant grows and use the 4 tips to grow healthy bamboo plants.

The tips are based on our experience dealing with running bamboo plants growing along the boarder. They are effective in keeping the rhizomes from spreading. 

• Create an ‘Access Way’: The hedging bamboo plants are controllable if you create an ‘Access Way’. The access will enable you to monitor the new growths that are not behaving.

• Trim the new shoots: Trim the new bamboo shoots close to the ground, usually in Spring, when the new plants are germinating. (You will need the access way to monitor the new shoots).

• Control the new rhizome tips: To stop the running bamboo rhizomes from misbehaving, dig the new rhizome tips and remove them, immediately.

• Selective pruning: This applies to both the running and clumping bamboo where you can remove the old culms to promote new growth. You can also direct the new growth into the foliage to create a dense hedge.  the video of our work running bamboo. We tie back the Phyllostachys aureosulcata Spectabilis and create a dense hedging screen)

Importantly, without any access to the hedging bamboo screen, it is going to be hard to control them as they grow. 

Here are some suggestions and care tips that will help you with your choice of bamboo covers.

How close to the neighbour's side should you grow bamboo plants? How these questions and answers with tips will help to avoid any potential neighbour's dispute.

Why do my lucky bamboo leaves turn yellow - fix

Is your lucky bamboo turning yellow? You can potentially lose it if you do not take immediate actions to save it.

Lucky bamboo plants are not related in any way to the running or clumping bamboos, but rather one of the 40 cultivated species of the Dracaena group of plants. They are native to the Pacific Islands, especially Papua New Guinea, South East Asia and parts of Africa.

How to revive lucky bamboo turning yellow?

Lucky bamboo plants are tropical plants. 

Generally, they are resilient to high temperatures, humidity and pests in the wild. But, several factors can affect their growth indoors. 

We discuss the five common ones towards the end of this article. First, here is how to revive a lucky bamboo plant in 3 steps if it turns yellow.

You will need:

• Candle wax
• Aloe vera
• Pair of secateurs
• Fresh/distilled water
• Plants rooting powder

Image credit: @Twitter

Step 1 – Prepping lucky bamboo stalks

Separate the dying yellow lucky bamboo. Use the pair of secateurs to tidy up the stalks and yellow leaves. 

Then, dip both the top & bottom ends of the cut lucky bamboo stalks in candle wax to prevent rotting. Then, place 3 to 5 stalks in the ‘growing medium’.

Step 2 – Making growth mixture

After that, create a growth-boosting mixture by mixing equal amounts of aloe vera gel and plant rooting powder. 

Add the mixture into the ‘growing medium’. 

Then, add water. (Aloe vera gel and plant rooting powder are ideal for reviving dying plants. They are rich in nutrients the new plants need to grow)

Buy rooting powder at YouGarden

Step 3 – Reviving lucky bamboo turning yellow

The potted plants are in the medium are ready. 

Finally, put them in a shaded area. The plants should show signs of new healthy plants after the first week.

Best way to revive a lucky bamboo turning yellow

Image: @Twitter

Use either fresh rainwater or distilled water when replanting lucky bamboo, and when replenishing water in the pots. 

Do not use tap water as it contains chlorine which tends to disturb the growth of new roots and shoots. 

Prep the stalks neatly, and use rooting hormone and aloe vera to promote growth. Also, use a candle to stop the stems from rotting. 

The chance of lucky bamboo plants surviving is slim if the stalks have turned golden yellow, and become squishy and wrinkling. This is the point of no return. 

Separate the plant, and take action as soon as the leaves and stems turn yellow, and before the stalks turn from green to yellow.

How long before lucky bamboo plants recover?

As mentioned, the running bamboo will regenerate after 7, some quicker. But all in all, signs of new growth are eminent within the two weeks. 

After that, you can re-pot the plant or leave them to grow in the ‘growing medium’.

In a case where you do not see any activity, the best thing to do is to give the plants time to grow. Check the water and any signs of rotting in the stems.

Read about the best practices for growing lucky bamboo plants in water, soil and gravel.

Why is lucky bamboo turning yellow?

There are several reasons why lucky bamboo leaves and stalks turn yellow. Below are the 5 common reasons why the yellowing of leaves happens.

Lucky bamboo leaves often turn yellow due to the lack of one (or more of) these plants’ growth needs. 

They are important for the lucky bamboo to grow.

1. Freshwater

Use rainwater or distilled water. Lucky bamboo does not like warm water. Ensure that the water temperature remains consistent at room temperature, 20 - 25 degrees Celcius is ideal.

2. Sun

Place your lucky bamboo where it receives a good dose of filtered sunlight to regulate photosynthesis. They are tolerant to shade, but not to direct sunlight.

3. Improve humidity

Indoor air is often dry, it lacks good water content. In fact, lucky bamboo loves high humidity in the highs of 50%. 

Let fresh air indoors. This will improve transpiration which is vital for the plant's natural colours.

4. Check the indoor room temperature

Indoor temperature is higher where there are electrical appliances. Like in 3 (humidity), the indoor temperature is vital for the houseplants. 

The heat emitted by electrical appliances can affect the lucky bamboo plants. Check the indoor temperature if your plants show signs of distress.

5. Prevent rotting bamboo stalks

The lucky bamboo stalks will rot (where they are cut) when dipped in water. This is often the main cause of yellow leaves in lucky bamboo plants. 

To avoid this problem, seal the freshly cut stalks with candle wax. 

If a stalk turns yellow, it shows that it is not rooting. This is a dead plant and it should be removed and attended to immediately before it affects the other plants. 

Use the 5 tips to keep your lucky bamboo happy and stop the leaves from turning yellow. Prevention is better that cure.

Grow lucky bamboo plants

In a case where your bamboo has turned yellow, revive it by using the three steps we discussed in ‘How to revive lucky bamboo turning yellow?’ 

In an ideal situation, prevention is better than cure. Be sure to replenish the water so that it remains clear all the time. 

The bamboos are tropical plants. They will thrive in variable conditions. Attend to them immediately if you see any signs of distress in your plants.

Conclusion (Revive lucky bamboo turning yellow)

All in all, lucky bamboo plants are great indoor house plants. 

As a gardener, you need to provide them with the right condition for them to thrive. Knowing the 5 growth requirements is key to sustaining them. 

Use the 3 steps to revive lucky bamboo if the leaves turn yellow. You may like to know about the 10 facts about lucky bamboo plants. 

We hope this simple guide and best practices help you to revive your dying lucky bamboo plants.

Clump-forming Bamboo Plants UK

We featured over 50 clumping bamboos on Garden Bamboo Plants (G.B.P.) and wrote numerous articles detailing their:

• uses & qualities;
• growing conditions & growth requirements; and
• care & maintenance.

This article features both the clumping and running bamboos that are common in the UK. 

We can reliably say that there are over 50 common clumping bamboos that can grow well in the UK, including the US and Australia.

• How to identify running bamboo plants
• How to identify clumping bamboo plants

Pros and cons of growing clumping bamboo

Generally, there are lots of good stories about growing clumping bamboos in the garden or in pots. 

Also, many bamboo growers like clumping bamboos because they are great for garden hedging and privacy screening. 

Their clumping habit makes them the ideal choice for growing in small and contained spaces like balconies, terraces and apartments. 

The clumping bamboos will demand care and attention, either as new plants or in Spring when the new growths are prominent. 

Also, the mature bamboo plants can be difficult to remove when they expand out of the allocated space, or if left unchecked for 2 to 3 years. 

The growing habits of these bamboos indicate that the pros of growing them definitely outweigh the cons. 

Clump-forming bamboo habits

Look closely at the parts that are underground, especially the areas around the clumps. 

The clump base of clump-forming bamboo plants, as the name suggests, is stout and compacted, unlike the running bamboo plants that have elongated rhizomes (underground stems).

The clump-forming bamboo is extensively characterised by the behaviour of its rhizomes. 

Alternatively, here is an article that gives a clear comparison of the parts of clumping vs running bamboo. 

 

Click here to check out the collection of Clumping and Running bamboo plants from the Home & Garden retailers in the UK.

How far do bamboo plants spread?

How far do bamboo plants spread? There are different types of bamboo plants, some are running bamboo plants and others are clumping bamboo plants. 

The running bamboo plants do spread, so 'always' build a bamboo barrier when growing the running varieties.

How long do bamboo plants spread?

Always use the bamboo roots/rhizome barrier when growing the running bamboo plants. They are invasive. 

The rhizomes will spread to other parts of the garden if you do not have a barrier in place. We recommend putting in a root barrier before growing the running bamboo. 

Alternatively, grow bamboo in heavy-duty pots. The bamboo plants will start to spread in the first year of planting. In fact, the rhizomes are underground stems. 

The new (running) shoots growing above the ground indicate that new rhizomes are also growing underground. 

The growth is prominent after 5 years. That means that bamboo can stay inactive underground until the condition is right for them to put out new shoots.

So, the running bamboo plants will spread after you’ve planted them or remain inactive until the condition is right. 

Either way, always use a bamboo barrier when growing the running bamboo.

Building a bamboo root barrier

Check out the video and see how we build the running bamboo root barrier.

How far do bamboo plants spread? There are different types of bamboo plants, some are running bamboo plants and others are clumping bamboo plants. Always build a root barrier when growing the running bamboo plants. 

Care for clumping bamboo Fargesia murielae 'Ivory Ibis'

The well-established Ivory Ibis bamboo is hardy and can tolerate cold winters. Also, this bamboo can also withstand drought, but it will not survive prolonged dry spells. 

Its hardiness and drought resistance make this bamboo an excellent pot plant for roof terraces or apartments and other small outdoor spaces. 

Newly potted Ivory Ibis bamboo will require a good amount of water. 

Also, ensure that the soil remains moist but well-drained until the new plant has rooted; and new shoots have grown into matured culms.

Find out more about this clumping bamboo, its features and growing habits.

 Bamboos are great pot & container plants

Propagate Fargesia murielae 'Ivory Ibis'

To propagate new Ivory Ibis bamboo, separate the clump base into several divisions and grow them in propagation pots before planting them in pots or in the garden. 

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

The bamboo’s clump base will expand within 4 – 5 years. Meanwhile, you can enjoy the natural screen and greenery this bamboo provides.

Care & maintenance

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

The 6 pointers below put in perspective what you can do to ensure that your clumping bamboo, Fargesia murielae ‘Ivory Ibis’, remains healthy.

• Thinning bamboo plants once or twice a year to promote new growths and keep the plant under control. Selectively trim the old culms and new shoots that you do not want within the bamboo grove.

• Pruning bamboo is intensive work compared to thinning bamboo. Dig and remove the parts of the bamboo that have outgrown the allocated space. This is an ideal time to take the bamboo divisions for replanting and get bamboo sticks for use in the garden.

• Bamboos are tolerant to pests and diseases in the UK, however, slugs adore the new shoots and leaves. If you a planting a new Fargesia murielae ‘Ivory Ibis’ or expecting fresh growth in Spring, always add Slug and Snail Pellets to protect them.

• Bamboos may not need fertilisers regularly, but the old plants will benefit from the added nutrients. The NPK fertilisers or any that is high in nitrogen are ideal options.

• Mulching bamboo plant is a highly recommended care and maintenance job. It will keep the soil moist and protect the bamboo from frost and frozen soils. Always use the bamboo leaves as mulch since they contain silicon which is naturally high in nitrogen.

Buy Fargesia murielae Ivory Ibis

Ivory Ibis bamboo is an ideal plant for privacy screening apartments, balconies, porches or any small outdoor place. 

It is also an ideal hedge plant in the garden because you can prune the leaves and new shoots. 

You can get more information on bamboo plants, tools and natural bamboo products from the renowned UK Home and Garden retailers we work with.