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IN THIS GUIDE

BAMBOO GUIDES

Phyllostachys nigra with black canes growing against a timber fence in a garden

Container GrowingDivisionOverwinteringPruningRemovalRoot BarriersSowingVarieties

Bamboo is a group of plants from the Poaceae family ( grasses ) that are fast develop and aboriginal to many parts of the public include the Americas , Asia , Africa and Australasia.1Schröder , S. ( 2021 , August 19).Where does Bamboo grow?Guadua Bamboo . Retrieved April 25 , 2023 , fromhttps://www.guaduabamboo.com/blog/where-does-bamboo-grow

Bamboo is a popular works to uprise and justly so , as they can add stature , covering , color , trend and even sound to a garden .

common bamboo growing in its native environment

With many different varieties from bunch forming to runner and dwarf to gargantuan – there is a bamboo to beseem all gardens .

In this guide , we share advice from Kerri Dall , possessor of Scottish Bamboo , who has grown more than 50 different varieties of bamboo here in the UK over a fifteen - year period .

Her favorite are the Fargesia varieties , due to the change of colours and non - invasive substance abuse – see more on this below .

green bamboo stems and rhizomes growing from a rectangular planter

About Bamboo Types

Bamboo straw or shafts are known as culms – and it is the culm that is popularly cogitate of as ‘ bamboo . ’

The vast majority of mintage ’ culm are empty .

Bamboo is unique among trees in that its culms emerge from the ground at their full diam ; they do not acquire thicker as they gain ground tiptop .

bamboo removed from a large pot, with visible rhizomes that have grown horizontally

Bamboo grows and overspread by way of its rhizomes , which are subsoil stems that link up the solution arrangement to the culm .

Running vs Clumping Varieties

Running bamboo specie , true to their name , ofttimes take over fairish - sized country of terra firma , as the rhizome ‘ contrabandist ’ spread sharply .

Though tardily - move species do not go around much in unfavorable conditions , when draw bamboo coinage do a ’ sprint , ’ they can coverseveral metresper year .

The mintage that produce by clumping are much better behaved .

dwarf bamboo leaves with white and green foliage

These species ’ rhizomes do not post out runners ; instead , they gradually enlarge the root organization and increase the height of the culm .

The source organisation is typically enlarged by only5 - 10 inchesper year . Thus , they spread much more slowly than running coinage .

“ Clump - forming bamboo has striated , columnlike shapes , ” shares Peter Lickorish , a Master Horticulturist .

giant dragon bamboo growing in a forest environment

“ These are intimately shown off against a dark background , such as a black fence , with only minimum underplanting with a few ground - covering plants likeOphiopogon planiscapus , orAjuga reptans .

“ you’re able to soften a line of bamboo by planting denser , smaller folio plant in between , likeTaxus baccata‘Fastigiata Robusta ’ .

“ Talking ofrobusta , one of my favorite bamboo isFargesia robusta‘Pingwu ’ , which has variegation down the duration of its stems that alternate between pearly white and dark green . ”

Phyllostachys nigra with black stems growing in an outdoor setting

Running bamboo species ’ pattern of emergence is primarilyhorizontal across ground ; clumping bamboo mintage ’ pattern of growth is primarilyvertical through outer space .

The variety within bamboo is such that some divergence between coinage are quite stark ; moot that bamboo shoot of only some metal money are eatable .

Some bamboo specie are not particularly eye - fascinate but make fantabulous construction material while others are useless for construction but are extremely decorative .

Shibataea kumasaca with low-spreading form

Giant vs Dwarf Varieties

At its extremes , bamboo is divided into ‘ gargantuan ’ and ‘ dwarf ’ diversity .

A very pretty and also dauntless species , Pleioblastus akebono , grows to only15 - 60 cm .

At the other uttermost isDendrocalamus giganteusaka ‘ Giant Bamboo . ’

Phyllostachys aurea fish pole bamboo in a forested space

Itsleavesare about as longsighted asPleioblastus akebonois magniloquent !

This bamboo can attain a height of up to35 m. That ’s a multiple ofnearly 60 in the heights of the two species .

Here are twelve popular type of Bamboo which can be grow in the UK , including some very special varieties , which have been awarded the RHS Award of Garden Merit ( AGM ):

Fargesia nitida growing in its native environment

1)Phyllostachys nigra(AGM)

Black bamboo , as it is more wide known , is a spectacular plant .

Growing to an eventual H4 m x W4 m , it certainly needs space to be shown off to its best .

unexampled growth is greenish , however , over time the cane sour a salient inkiness that contrast so well against its green leafage .

very tall arrow bamboo plants growing against a blue sky background

With a tendency to spread in warmer climates , its rhizomes need contain to keep to size .

prefer a cheery and sheltered site on loamy dirt , it is H5 rated intend it will survive winter temperatures down to -10 to -15 ° C.2Phyllostachys nigra | sinister bamboo . ( n.d . ) . Royal Horticultural Society . Retrieved March 13 , 2023 , fromhttps://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/12869/phyllostachys-nigra/details

2)Shibataea kumasaca(AGM)

Ruscus - leaved bamboo is a small and clump - forming which grow to H1.5 m x W1 m over time .

It is ideal for a large container or pot , as it will need to be moderate if planted directly into the ground .

Often grown as a low hedging or as ground cover , it looks equally good as a specimen flora , whether in a border or a container .

showy yellow groove bamboo with bright yellow culms

Being H6 rated it is very unfearing and will withstand temperatures as low-toned as -15 to -20 ° vitamin C and can be sited in an peril or sheltered position .

Shibataea kumasacagrows well on mud or loam and as with most bamboo will not tolerate heavy or waterlogged soil .

3)Phyllostachys aurea

Far better known as fish - pole bamboo , Phyllostachys aureais a very bombastic variety which can grow to an impressive H8 m x W4 m.

Producing bright unripe cane which may turn yellow with years and long slight foliage , it can be clump - forming or diffuse and requires its rhizome contain if grow in the background .

A unfearing bamboo that is shit H6 , it prefers a sheltered locating and loam soil in either full sunshine or fond shadiness .

long variegated leaves of Pleioblastus variegatus bamboo

4)Fargesia nitida

According to Kerri Dall from Scottish Bamboo : “ Our favourite salmagundi of bamboo are the clumping Fargesia mixed bag , mainly because they are very well conduct and non - distribute .

“ There are also so many dissimilar colored culms ( canes ) ranging from unripe to yellow to crimson and even black and purplish ” .

Fargesia nitida or Formosan fountain bamboo is an graceful and arching bamboo that tends to raise improbable , but not too wide .

Fargesia bamboo foliage with visible canes in the far background

Growing to H4 m x W1.5 m , it has a clump - forming drug abuse and should not need its roots curtailing .

Due to its height and tendency not to spread , Formosan fountain bamboo is often used as a hedge or masking plant and will tolerate full sun , but grows good in part shade .

Fully hardy and tough , F. nitidais H5 rate but has a soft appearing due to its short and lithe leaves .

spreading Sasa veitchii with variegated foliage in dark green and white

The canes begin green , but can reverse purple with age adding to their sensational appearing .

5)Pseudosasa japonica(AGM)

Widely known as Arrow bamboo , Pseudosasa japonicais a immense specimen that is tight growing and can grow to H8 m x W4 m.

Upright in use , Arrow bamboo is very tolerant and will cope with either an exposed or sheltered panorama and clay , loam or flaxen soil .

Hardy down to -10 to -15 ° coulomb , it will survive a severe wintertime in most part of the UK .

solid far-reaching canes of Chusquea culeou in a forest

Being very vigorous , its rhizomes must be tighten unless a big bamboo copse is the goal .

6)Phyllostachys aureosulcataf.spectabilis(AGM)

Or the far easier to say , Showy Yellow Groove Bamboo is a spectacular plant .

Another prominent variety , it will get to an eventual H8 m x W5 m and is well plant on loam or chalk grease .

Less hardy than other bamboos , it require a sheltered spot , but will still withstand a coarse UK winter .

thin canes of Himalayacalamus hookerianus bamboo in a forested environment

With yellow canes that darken over time and green channel , this is a stunning bamboo and look spectacular when grown near the contrastingP. nigra .

With a suckering habit , it expect a roadblock to control its rhizomes to keep it under control .

7)Pleioblastus variegatus(AGM)

Dwarf lily-white stripy bamboo orPleioblastus variegatusis a littler variety and one which is far better suited to courtyards or smaller garden .

Growing to only H1 m x W1.5 m , it is idealistic for a magnanimous container or flock and grows skilful in a sheltered stain in full Dominicus .

bring about light-green and ointment reave leaves up to 20 centimeter long on thin green canes , it will add motility and sound to the garden as it softly moves in a duck soup .

A distribute variety , if grow instantly in a bed or a border its rhizomes must be contain to curb its growth .

8)Fargesia‘Red Panda’

patently , F.‘Red Panda ’ was once so intemperate to get cargo deck of that it was given its elusive name .

This is one of the favoured eccentric of Kerri and the team at Scottish Bamboo .

gratefully Umbrella bamboo , as it is also known , is now promiscuous to obtain as it is a sensational plant .

With an vertical habit and ontogeny of up to H4 m x W1.5 m , it certainly makes an impact .

Its green Modern growth sprain orangish then red over the course of a couple of days have a marvellous contrast to its green slender foliation .

Although a clump - form variety , a rhizome barrier is typically urge to prevent its counterpane .

However , Kerri argues : “ Fargesia varieties can be grown in slew or implant into a garden boundary line due to their well - behave nature ” .

F.‘Red Panda ’ grows well in most well - drained land and will contend with full sun or fond tone .

9)Sasa veitchii

Also known as Veitch ’s bamboo , Sasa veitchiiis somewhat unusual with its broader and more shiny leaf than most other bamboo .

A vigorous bamboo , it spreads with rest and is a great flora for mellow undercoat cover .

issue forth autumn , the leaves ’ edges dry out producing a variegated appearance against the deep green centres .

grow to H1.5 m x W1.5 m it grows well in a container and will postulate restrict if grown directly in the ground .

10)Chusquea culeou(AGM)

Chilean bamboo as it is better bed is another unusual bamboo due to the fact that its canes are solid alternatively of empty .

uprise from South America it is less hardy than other bamboo , but will withstand temperature down to -10 ° C ( H4 ) .

An vertical and graceful bamboo it produces dense clumps of gullible stem with small green leaf .

Growing to a potential H8 m x W2.5 m it prefers a moist , but well - drained loamy soil and full sunshine to fond refinement .

Chusquea culeoucan bear some foliation damage due to harsh winter conditions and requires a sheltered view to look its best .

11)Himalayacalamus hookerianus

For tangible visual impact , one of the most spectacular has to be theHimalayacalamusgenus which originates from the Himalayas .

H. hookerianusor Blue bamboo is a stunning multifariousness , which produces green young culms which take on a blue appearance before ferment orangish or yellow-bellied in maturity .

Growing to H6 m x W3 m , it is a clod - take form variety and not considered invasive , however , install a rootstalk roadblock may be prudent .

prefer nicety to full sunshine , it develop best in moist and well - drain soil and requires a sheltered site .

12) xHibanobambusa tranquillans‘Shiroshima’

For a variegated bamboo , H. tranquillans‘Shiroshima ’ or ‘ inyouchikuzoku ’ as it is sometimes known , is hard to beat .

bring forth moody green and pick striped leaves it has a bushy drug abuse and will tardily circularise if allowed .

Growing to H2 m x W8 m , it prefers to be given full Dominicus , will demand a rhizome roadblock to curtail its outgrowth and is suitable for lowly screening and hedges .

With hardiness down to -10 ° cytosine and lower , it will hold up all but the harshest wintertime conditions and can be grow in an exposed situation .

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