Bamboo is a unique and fascinating plant that is known for its fast growth, hardiness, and versatility. However, one of the most interesting characteristics of bamboo is that it is a monocarpic plant. This means that bamboo will only flower once in its lifetime, after which it will die.
This article will explore the implications of bamboo being a monocarpic plant, and how it affects its growth and reproduction.
What are monocarpic plants?
First, it is important to understand what it means for a plant to be monocarpic. Monocarpic plants are those that only flower and produce seeds once in their lifetime.
After flowering, the plant will die, but not before producing offshoots or rhizomes that will continue to grow and eventually produce their own flowers.
Some examples of monocarpic plants are agave, cacti, and bamboo.
Bamboo reproduction cycle
In the case of bamboo, it can take anywhere from 5 to 120 years for a bamboo plant to flower, depending on the species. The common species that grow in the UK can take 40 to 60 years to flower. This is known as the bamboo's "flowering cycle."
When a bamboo plant reaches the end of its flowering cycle, it will produce flowers and seeds, and then die.
However, before the plant dies, it will produce new shoots and rhizomes that will continue to grow and eventually produce their own flowers.
This unique reproduction cycle can have a significant impact on its growth and use. For example, it can lead to a loss of a significant number of plants at once. This can be detrimental for growers who grow bamboo along the hedges, as screens or in the pot.
Here is a black bamboo cultivar flowering in September 2022. We took the pictures at Kew Gardens, London.
Benefits of bamboo as a monocarpic plant
The monocarpic nature of bamboo can also have benefits. For example, the fact that bamboo only flowers once in its lifetime means that it is less likely to become invasive.
In contrast, many invasive plants are able to reproduce quickly and easily, which allows them to spread rapidly.
Also, the fact that bamboo only flowers once in its lifetime can make it a more sustainable crop. Bamboo can be harvested for its stalks and leaves without harming the plant, and it can continue to grow and produce new shoots.
All in all, bamboo is a monocarpic plant. It will only flower once in its lifetime, after which it will die. This can have both positive and negative implications for its growth, reproduction, and uses.
Although some bamboo varieties are invasive, many UK gardeners are finding simple ways to grow and contain bamboo plants.
Buy Bamboo Plants for Screening
Clumping Bamboo Plants UK
Small bamboo plants, the clump-forming bamboo plants are great pot and container plants.
The prices are reflective of the various sizes of the plants at the time of the article and a subject to change.
Check with your local garden centre and online stores. Here is a list of top UK bamboo suppliers.
Bamboo plants in pots for sale
The ‘Price range’ in the tables above takes the lower-end price from the major online markets like e-Bay and Amazon at the time of this article.
Costs of Bamboos ranges between £20 and £60 or can be even higher. When buying plants, always choose a reputable garden shop because they sell high-quality plants.
Always check the post and package cost as this may not be included in the final cost of the bamboo plant. This may be dumb, but it is the best way to avoid paying more than you should.
The upper price limits are from the leading Garden Centres in the UK. The upper price limits are indicative of the delivery prices. However, the prices do fluctuate, therefore check the actual door price before making a purchase.
Buy screening bamboo plants
Online bamboo P&P:
Getting bargain garden bamboo plants from online marketplaces like Amazon and e-Bay can be satisfying.
However, the price of Garden Bamboo Plants from online marketplaces does not include the postage and packing, P&P.
Therefore, it is perhaps important to check out the actual cost price of the plant on sale before buying it.
Though it may look expensive, the price of bamboo plants on sale is always the home-delivery price.
So whether you are thinking of buying from the major online marketers or at your favourite garden shops, use the Price Range in the tables in this article as a guide.
Check out GBP Blog's archive and YouTube Videos for tips and tricks to Grow Bamboo Plants in the UK. It has an updated collection of articles on ALL-YOU-NEED-TO-GROW-BAMBOO plants.
Online data has shown that in the last 5 years, there is a high demand for bamboo plants. In particular, the clump-forming bamboo plants have been growing in popularity in the UK.
The fast-growing evergreen screen is the ideal option for shielding the unsightly features.
Tall Bamboo Plant UK [Phyllostachy vixax areocaulis]
Uses of bamboo plants
Many homeowners and gardeners realised that bamboo plants are best for border fences, henge and privacy screens.
Additionally, bamboo plants are also popular due to their multiple uses in gardens.
They grow well in the UK climate and thrive throughout the cold winter months.
Bamboos like Sasa Nipponica can be pruned, which makes them the best hedge plant. Grow them along the border, or as hedges to form a formidable screen.
Maintain bamboo plants
Although most borders, hedges and screening bamboo plants need less maintenance, you may have to monitor their growth so that they do not spread.
A regular check all year round is the most effective way to stop the bamboo rhizomes from invading other people’s properties.
In addition, a regular check is important for pruning the old bamboo and maintaining the hedges so that they stay neat and adorable.
Either way, it is important to propagate the new cuttings in a propagation medium (preferably in Spring) before replanting the following season.
This bamboo is a tough, hardy and evergreen clump-forming bamboo. It is non-invasive and demands less attention.
To ensure that the bamboo stays healthy, check the leaves and soil, and add mulch where necessary. If you prune this bamboo, it will form neat and compact foliage.
Put the leaves under bamboo because they contain organic traces of silica which is rich in potassium. Add mulch in early Spring and fertiliser, if necessary.
Is it an indoor or outdoor plant?
Fargesia murielae 'Rufa' does well both outdoors and indoors.
The bamboo can grow to a height of 4m and spread over a diameter of 2.5 – 3m. The perfect height and spread of 2 - 3 metres make it a great plant for privacy screens and hedges.
The clump-forming bamboo is very adaptable, ideal for large pots, planters and containers. It can grow in the sun, part shade and shade.
5 Interesting facts
In addition to the unique features and qualities outlined in this article, we found these 5 facts to be interesting.
Do you know? This bamboo is
native to China.
a clump-forming bamboo.
the main food source for the Giant Pandas.
commonly called Dragon Head Bamboo or Chinese Fountain Bamboo.
the recipient of the RHS Award of Garden Merits (AGM) for its finest qualities and noted as one of the best winterhardy plants.
Bamboo grow & care guide
We gave an in-depth insight into the running and clump-forming bamboos. The articles are packed with informational tips and step-by-step guides for bamboo growers. Here are the links!
If you find this article helpful, leave a comment and let us know what you think. And finally, we would appreciate it if you could follow us on our YouTube Channel - Amazing Bamboo Plants.
Fargesia nitida 'Winter Joy’ is a hybrid plant known by its full name as Fargesia marielae nitida 'Winter Joy’.
It is a stunning new plant that has all the ‘goodies’ from the Fargesia nitida and marielae bamboo plants.
Bamboo ‘Winter Joy' is very decorative due to its dark green steams with red undertones.
In the winter, the light green, small leaves stay on the plant and they are visually appealing even in the winter.
Best qualities of Winter Joy
A beautiful purple sheath and greyish-purply pink tall and upright stems, evergreen dense foliage and non-invasive. Great shade plant.
This clump-forming bamboo has upright culms with beautiful shades of green and grey. Its leaves are evergreen all year round. It can reach 3 – 4m in height and forms clusters 2 – 3m across.
Like most Fargesia marielae nitida, the Bamboo Winter Joy grows well in large pots and containers.
Tolerant to seasonal changes, but prefers a shade to part-shade area; and nutrient-rich soil with good drainage.
Culm: Upright, green and grey, purply pink sheath.
Leaves: Evergreen, fountain-forming foliage.
MatureHeight: 3 – 4 metres.
Spread: Grow out of the base clump 2 – 3 m, does not spread.
Winterhardiness: - 25 degrees Celsius.
Uses: Grow in pots and containers, grows well in shade and part-shade.
Care: Add manure or good organic compost, and avoid planting in windy sites.
Site: Shade to part shade
Bamboo plants similar to Winter Joy
Some bamboo with similar features are Fargesia rufa, Fargesia nitida gansu and Fargesia nitida 'Black Pearl. Check this list for all the Fargesias.
We also featured 7 common types of the Nitida group. A spectacular group of non-invasive bamboo plants, they will not send their roots and shoots away from the parent plant.
The clumps form a dense upright wall to support the ‘fountain’ foliage.
Fargesia nitida is among the stunning Fargesia bamboos in the UK, owing their names to the appearances of the evergreen fountain-like foliage and coloured stems.
Make an exotic bamboo garden
Here are some articles packed with tips and step-by-step guides for bamboo growers.
Black bamboo plants are flowering in the UK. These images I took at the Kew Bamboo Garden show the cultivar Phyllostachys nigra 'Megurochiku' Black Bamboo flowering.
This is a phenomenon that happens once in 40 - 60 years, but for a short time.
It is an interesting time for bamboo growers in the UK. The flowering black bamboo will die.
Images of Black Bamboo Flowering in the UK
Black Bamboo (Phyllostachys nigra) flower & dies
The black bamboo flowers every 40 to 60 years, Every black bamboo plant in the UK will flower at the same time.
After flowering, that generation of black bamboo plants will die completely.
The seeds can be collected and planted to start a new stand of bamboo growth.
Also, cuttings from the rhizomes can be used to grow a new generation of plants.
Cultivars of Black Bamboo
More than 10 cultivars of black bamboo plants grow in the UK. This articlehas the details of the common cultivars that you should know.
On a recent visit to Kew Bamboo Garden, I noted that some black bamboo cultivars have not flowered except for the Phyllostachys nigra 'Megurochiku'.
You may propagate the seeds and cuttings in preparation for next year, but refrain from re-potting and transplanting matured bamboo plants until next spring.
This is a phenomenon that happens once in 40 - 60 years, but for a short time. So hold on until the flowering season has passed.
Having said that, some black bamboo cultivars have not been seen to be flowering this year, which includes Phyllostachys nigra, Phyllostachys nigra f. henonis and Phyllostachys nigra ‘Boryana’.
Yet, it would be a good idea to hold off until next spring before growing them.
Fargesia Robusta Campbell is the fastest growing bamboo in the Fargesia murielae and Fargesia Nitida group, hence the name robust or robusta.
Its stem is strikingly slender and tall, new growths form tight clusters, ideal for tall hedges and natural privacy screens.
Fargesia Robusta ‘Campbell’ Bamboo
Umbrella Bamboo ‘Campbell’ is well known as the Fargesia murielae robusta ‘Campbell'. This clump-forming bamboo has evergreen dark green foliage. Its stems are light green, long and slender.
Robusta Campbell is a fast-growing Fargesia bamboo that can reach a full height of approximately 5m during a year’s growth and remain evergreen for more than 5 years.
Campbell Bamboo’s new shoots are dark red. As they grow, the striking colour contrast between the light brown sheath and the light green stem and dark green leaves is stunning, observable between Spring and early Summer.
The elegant Fargesia robusta 'Campbell' is ideal for tall hedges and privacy screens. It is containable in pots and containers. It prefers a nice sunny spot, with good soil and moisture to grow well.
Robusta ‘Campbell’ Bamboo Care
Though Fargesia 'Campbell' Bamboo is a low-maintenance plant, the new plant may require water and mulch to establish its roots and shoots.
It may need tidying up in Spring by cutting the old culms.
If you wish to re-grow the bamboo, separate the stems from the base culms or re-grow using the culm cuttings.
Fargesia Murielae Bamboo Info
There are currently as many as 86 Fergasia bamboo species, hybrids and natural bamboos, known to growers.
Each bamboo species is unique and prefers certain growing conditions. For example, the 12 common types of Fergasea Nitida listed below, come in all sorts of sizes, colours and heights.
There is a Fergasia bamboo plant that is fit for every garden.
Here is a list of some Fargesias that are common in the UK. You can get information about these Fargesias here at Garden Bamboo Plants (GBP).
1. Fargesia murielae Angustissima
2. Fargesia murielae Asian Wonder
3. Fargesia murielae Blue Lizard
4. Fargesia murielae Ivory Ibis
5. Fargesia murielae Jumbo
6. Fargesia murielae Lava
7. Fargesia murielae Luca
8. Fargesia murielae Nitida
9. Fargesia murielae Maasai
10. Fargesia murielae Red Zebra
11. Fargesia murielae Simba
12. Fargesia murielae Scabrida
To know the features and qualities of the popular bamboo plants, check out the Fargesia Nitida Collection and Fargesia murielae Collection on Garden Bamboo Plants.
Green Bamboo Phyllostachys Bissetii was given the RHS Award of Garden Merit for its outstanding features.
It has deep green foliage and thick clusters of culms, grows very fast, provides a deep dark green luscious green cover, and adds tranquillity and greenery to the garden.
A great shade plant.
Bamboo Plants for Sale
We’ve compiled a list of reputable Garden retailers in the UK where you can buy the right bamboo at the right price.
Identification: Green bamboo, David Bisset’s Bamboo, running bamboo.
Site: Grow in full sun to partial & full shade.
Soil: Green bamboo prefers moist but well-drained fertile soil.
Uses: Screening and hedging, can be grown in large pots and containers or as an individual plants.
Winter hardiness: - 15 - 20 degrees Celsius.
Height: Fast-growing plant, 6 – 9m.
Spread: 2 – 3m at the base.
Foliage colour: Evergreen dark dense foliage all year round.
Green Bamboo (Phyllostachys bisettii) Vs. Golden Bamboo (Phyllostachys aurea)
These two running bamboo plants are similar in appearance from afar. They both have evergreen foliage, winter hardy and spread.
But they have different features. The green bamboo has shiny dark green stems, whereas the Golden Bamboo P. Aurea stems turn from green to golden yellow.
The former is taller than the latter.
Golden Bamboo (Phyllostachys aurea)
Fast-growing Green Bamboo Phyllostachys Bissetii
Green Bamboo Phyllostachys bissetii is a running hardy green bamboo. It is a fast-growing bamboo reaching up to 5 metres and spread 3 metres.
The Green bamboo grows well in sunny spots as well as in the shade. The culms are dark green when grown in shade.
It has tall evergreen culms, long spreading branches and slender leaves.
This green bamboo is ideal for tall hedges and screens. It can also be contained in large pots and containers or used as natural privacy screen blocks.
Propagate Green Bamboo Phyllostachys bissetii
There are two common ways to propagate Bamboo Bissetii, either by separation or by rhizome and culm cuttings.
At GBP, we tried different ways to propagate the bamboo over the years and know that it requires a lot of effort to start. But, it is often pleasing to see the shoots germinating.
Bamboo seeds are often hard to buy near you because they do not flower regularly. The best way to propagate green bamboo is by separation.
Grow Green bamboo Phyllostachys bissetii
If you are growing your bamboo from the cuttings or purchasing them from the shop, there are certain factors to consider.
The green bamboo Bisetti thrives in well-drained soil with plenty of moisture. It can also grow in clay and chalk, but it does not like compacted soil.
Prepare the soil well before potting or plating the new bamboo in the garden.
Green Bamboo Bissetii Care
Winter's freeze and strong winds can affect the foliage, but not the culms. The leaves will turn brown and fall off but expect re-leafing on old growth.
Although is a low-maintenance plant, it will require care when propagating the cuttings.
The new growth will succumb to slug and bug attacks.
If you are propagating bamboo plants from rhizomes or culms cuttings, the best thing to do is to protect the new growths by adding the Slug Killer as soon as the new shoots appear.
Green Bamboo Screen Shade
The green colour of the bamboo ranges from deep dark green to light green depending on the sun it is receiving.
In sunny areas, the leaves and culm are light green compared to those growing in the shade.
Although the Green bamboo plant is winter hardy to – 20 degrees Celsius, the leaves will turn brown and die in frost and frozen soil.
If they show signs of distress, remove the damaged leaves and culms early in Spring for the new growth.
The thick culms of this running bamboo grow in dense clusters and provide a strong windbreak. The luscious green leaves are beautiful all year round.
Clumping bamboos do not have running rhizomes, instead, the roots are packed around the base forming a clumped base, hence the name clump-forming bamboo.
When separating the clumps, take care to preserve the parent plant.
If you already have matured bamboo plants, then you can use the cutting from the branches, culms (stems) or rhizomes (roots) to propagate a new plant.
Take care when separating bamboo rhizomes.
Use a hacksaw (or a pair of garden loopers) and cut at 45 degrees angle, 5 – 10 cm away from the node. Avoid splitting them.
The best time for propagating new bamboo cuttings is in late summer or early Spring when they reach their full growth and the new shoots are starting to grow, respectively.
Take extra care when taking the new cuttings off an old bamboo plant to preserve the parent plant.
Treat the new cuttings delicately for them to grow.
Hacksaw or a pair of secateurs for cutting the culms and rhizomes.
Planting: Materials you will need to plant bamboo cuttings
Soil
Bark or organic materials for mulch
Pots and containers for planting the bamboo cuttings.
Rainwater or tapwater (avoid using chlorinated water)
Essentials for propagating running bamboo cuttings
Separate the cuttings from the parent plant early in spring or late in summer. Take the bamboo cuttings from the rhizomes, culms or even the base of the parent plant.
Rhizomes cuttings: Cut the rhizomes with 4 - 6 buds long, use a pair of secateurs or garden loopers. The best tip is to look for new shoots at the buds. The shots have a high chance of germinating.
Stem cuttings: Cut the culms 5 – 10 cm away from the node. Plant them deep in rich soil, either in a container or directly in the ground.
New culms: This is my favourite because they grow every time. Check for new culms that have a couple of branches. Carefully, dig them up and prepare them for propagation in pots.
Water the new cuttings/plants thoroughly.
Mulch the new bamboo plant using bark or other organic materials.
5 factors affect the growth of bamboo new cuttings
Propagating bamboo plants is a long-term affair. Take these 5 factors into consideration when growing new bamboo plants.
1. Choose the site carefully
The two bamboo plant varieties in UK gardens are tough plants. But the new plants are susceptible to the weather.
New bamboo plants grown from cuttings should be propagated in locations where there is a good amount of sunlight and away from direct wind.
2. Identify the garden feature you want
Running Bamboo plants are ideal for growing in the garden.
They have tall colourful stems, unmistakably evergreen. Winterhardy, are permanent screen all year round.
Water is an important natural growth enhancer for propagating bamboo rhizomes, culm cuttings and seeds. Before propagating new cutting and seeds, it is important to soak them in water.
Hydrated cutting and seeds grow faster because water naturally triggers germination in plants and seeds.
Step 1: Cut the new growth (bamboo shoots and rhizomes tips) at a 45-degree angle with a sharp knife or a pair of secateurs.
Allow for two nodes and two internodes. Be careful not to move the new shoots too hard because they are tender and can break easily.
Step 2: Seal the ends of cuttings with grafting wax or melted candle wax to prevent the cuts from rotting.
Step 3: Place the cuttings in a pot of distilled water (or rainwater) and leave it in a well-lit site until new roots appear. Change the water every other day.
Do not use chlorinated water. As soon as the roots grow longer, move them to plastic pots or containers.
Step 4: Lay the bottom of 20cm (8 inches) pots with pebbles or broken ceramic pots to stop soil from falling out under the pot and improve drainage.
Fill the pots with a potting mix, or loam soil. Make a hole 5 – 10cm and plant the cutting at depth into the soil. Careful not to destroy the new roots.
Step 5: Stabilise the new bamboo plants by tying them to bamboo sticks with strings. Move them to a partly shaded location, away from windy sites.
How to propagate Lucky Bamboo in Water, Gravel and Soil
Lucky bamboo is not a bamboo plant from the grass variety, it is from a different family. It is a popular house plant used in Feng Shui.
It generally grows by stem propagation.
The cuttings will thrive in water, soil and gravel. In this case, we’ll use water as the propagating medium.
Step 1: Cut lucky bamboo stem 10cm to 15cm long.
Step 2: Put cuttings in a vase or clear container.
Step 3: Fill the vase with distilled water, do not use tap water.
Step 4: Set aside in a well-ventilated location where there is good indoor light.
Finally, check regularly until you see signs of growth.
Top tip. Always use distilled as they are free from chlorine and chemicals which are the main causes of rotting roots, yellowing of leaves and browning of stems.
What is the difference between propagating and growing lucky bamboo plants? Take a look at the top 10 questions many lucky bamboo growers ask every day.
Why propagate bamboo in Water?
Propagating bamboo plants and lucky bamboo in water promotes the growth of the seeds and cuttings.
Bamboo plants grow well from rhizome cuttings - use the steps for growing healthy bamboo plants.
This propagation method works for the running bamboo because they have elongated rhizomes. Note that the rhizomes are in fact underground stems with nodes and internodes.
Cut carefully along the nodes as new bamboo plants germinate at the node.
You can use the 5 steps to propagate both clumping and running bamboo for their rhizomes.
Careful at the nodes
Step 1: Separate the rhizomes from the parent bamboo plants.
Careful not to break the rhizome tips and new shoots or buds growing at the rhizome’s nodes.
Preserve new shoots
Step 2: Cut the rhizomes 4 - 6 buds using pair of secateurs.
The best tip is to preserve new shoots at the nodes as they have a high chance of germinating when propagated into pots.
If you are taking cuttings from the main clump, leave 2 – 3 small culms on it.
You can also use the rhizome tips/shoots as new cuttings.
Water immediately
Step 3: Water both the new cuttings and the parent bamboo plant thoroughly.
Place the new cuttings straight into a bucket of water so that they don’t dry out.
You can dip the bamboo into growth hormone to boost root growth.
Plant cuttings in good soil
Step 4: Fill a large 20 – 30 cm pot or container with potting mix or loam soil (mixture of equal parts sand, silt and clay).
Step 5: Make several holes in the soil and plant the rhizome cuttings with the shoots and rhizome buds facing up. Water the newly planted rhizomes cuttings thoroughly.
Depending on the size of the cuttings, you may need more than one pot. Place the pot in a shaded area, away from direct sun.
The Rhizomes will take about four to six weeks to grow. So, water consistently but do not overwater.
Disturbing the shoots from growing can inhibit spreading, but does not stop the bamboo from growing back.
Though it is a temporary measure, it can be effective where bamboo grows in barriers.
Here is how to stop bamboo from spreading.
Use garden spade and pickaxe
1: To kill bamboo in the garden using hot water, cut the stems as close to the ground as you can, and dig around (and through) the plant to expose the shoots.
Hot water
2: Pour hot water directly on the new shoots and exposed rhizomes, around the base of the bamboo and where there are signs of growth.
3: Repeat the steps if new shoots grow the following Spring.
If you have bamboos that are 2 – 3 years, this method will work just fine.
Bamboos that are older than 5 years will have well-established rhizomes (in running bamboos) or build-up clumps (in clump-forming bamboos) which make them harder to treat with hot water.
In this case, build a barrier or use the method mentioned above to permanently remove the bamboo.
The evergreen hardy bamboo plants are becoming popular. Many people are concerned about the fast-growing nature of bamboo which is why they receive such a bad rap.
They are amazing plants - here are 10 popular questions with answers about growing bamboo plants.
Two types of bamboo plants in the UK
Firstly, two common types of bamboo plants grow in the UK, clump-forming bamboo and running bamboo.
Each has more than 10 - 20 varieties that do well in British weather.
Some bamboos are better suited to pots and containers, whereas the others are best for outdoors.
10 facts about growing bamboo plants
1. Q. How fast does bamboo grow?
A. Clump-forming bamboos tend to grow 30-60 cm (1 – 2 feet) taller each year.
A. Running bamboos grow 90cm to 2m (3 – 6 feet) taller each year. They mature in height in just one growth year.
Do you know: A certain bamboo variety is known to be the fastest-growing plant, according to the Guinness World Records, growing at up to 91 centimetres (35 inches) per day.
2. Q. How tall does bamboo grow?
A. Clump-forming Bamboo culms (stems) usually grow to 5m (15 feet) tall. These bamboo will grow and spread about the same distance.
A. New shoots of Running Bamboo plants grow 90cm to2 m taller each year until it reaches the maximum height (~2m).
Do you know: A new bamboo shoot can reach its full height in less than 3 months and survive for 5 to 10 years?
3. Q. How far do bamboo roots (rhizomes) spread?
A. Clump-forming bamboos: The rhizomes of clumping bamboos establish in 1 – 2 years. The new shoots are an indication of a well-established clump root system. The rhizomes can spread to 5 m around the parent plant.
A. Running bamboos: This is an invasive variety. Its rhizomes spread pretty quickly, they can grow more than a metre in a year.
4. Q. Which bamboo is best for screening?
A. The best bamboo for screening must be tall, grows lots of secondary branches, has dense evergreen foliage. It should, or at least, grow in both sun, part-shade and shade. Some varieties of Fargesia Murielae, also called the Umbrella Bamboos, are perfect for screening or for hedging.
5. Q. What kind of bamboo is best for the garden?
A. Clumping bamboo varieties are great garden plants, they spread more slowly and gradually. In the garden, they can be used as ornamental or patio pot plants. Fargesia Simba and Pleioblastus Distichus are the best for garden centrepieces.
6. Q. Is bamboo legal in the UK?
A. There are currently no restrictions on planting bamboo in the UK. The UK Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (Updates 11 December 2014, now the Guidance to Invasive Non-native Plants) does not classify bamboo as an invasive species.
7. Q. Can bamboo grow in pots and containers?
A. You can grow both Running and Clumping bamboo plants in pots and containers. Their growth and duration are limited to the size of the pots and will require care or repotting after 3 – 5 years.
A. Although most varieties of running and clumping bamboos like sunlight, they can also grow in shades. Some varieties of clump-forming bamboo plants are best for partial and full shaded areas. When planting a variety of clump-forming plants to grow in the share, ensure that the soil is well-drained.
9. Q. How much water does bamboo need?
A. Old bamboo plants have natural water storage capacity through their hollow canes/culms and rhizomes (roots). Their deep roots and long canes will be able to store water and become drought resistant.
A. New bamboo will need water to grow until the roots and culms are well established. Water generously, but not too much water to avoid waterlogging. Lack of water or too much water can kill them.
10. When is the right time to prune bamboo plants?
A. Summer checks: In the Summer, the plants would have grown to full height, and the rhizomes have reached far and wide or packed in clumps. Prune the culms and rhizomes, but not an ideal time to grow or re-pot the bamboos they may not survive the cold in Winter.
A. Spring checks: In the early Spring, the new shoots are an indication of how far the plants have grown and how healthy they are. This gives you an ideal opportunity to prune, re-pot or dig out the intruding rhizomes and canes.
