Phyllostachys nuda Snow Bamboo [Running Bamboo with Pink Shoots]

 Phyllostachys Nuda Snow Bamboo is a tough running bamboo that thrives in UK weather, does reasonably well in moist well-drained soil and prefers clay and sand or loam soil. 

This running bamboo has pinkish new shoots and evergreen foliage. 

Matured dark green stems are a standout in heavy snowfall hence the name Snow Bamboo. It is winterhardy to – 20 degrees Celsius.

Phyllostachys nuda for Sale 

Here is where to buy Giant Timber bamboo plants online.  

We listed some top UK Home and Garden bamboo suppliers like Crocus, YouGarden or other suppliers on Amazon.  

Phyllostachys Nuda Bamboo Features

• Identification: Phyllostachys Nuda, Snow Bamboo, Nude Sheath bamboo.
• Site: partial shade or shade.
• Soil: sand and clay or loam soil.
• Uses: windbreak, hedges, screens and in pots and containers.
• Winterhardiness: a cold hardy bamboo to - 20°C.
• Height: 5 - 7m.
• Spread: Medium-sized running bamboo, very invasive.
• Foliage: Evergreen Bamboo, spectacular in snowfall.
• Culm colour: sturdy dark green to almost black, zigzag stems, spectacular white rim near culm node.

Phyllostachys Nuda Snow Bamboo

The spatial feature of this bamboo indicates that it requires space to grow, is tolerant to cold and will do well in any soil condition.

The short sturdy internodes along the culms make it a strong-standing bamboo. 

It can carry as much as its own weight and is tolerant to heavy snowfall and wind, an ideal plant for a windbreak, dense hedging or screening.

Perhaps it is important to note that if left unchecked, the Nuda Snow Bamboo will invade other spaces very quickly. 

Always use Root Barriers as a control measure before planting this bamboo. Someone once said, 'do not expect your Nuda Bamboo to behave, like a hyper toddler it will explore any given space.'

Although the Nuda Snow Bamboo is very invasive, compared to the other Phyllostachys bamboo plants,  its delicate new shoots are easy to mow. 

Alternatively, the shoots can be stamped on to contain them from spreading.

Is running bamboo legal in the UK?

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.

Care for Phyllostachys nuda

Once Phyllostachys nuda Snow Bamboo establishes itself, add mulch and organic fertilisers, if and when necessary, to promote further growth. 

Under the right condition, this bamboo will spread aggressively, so monitor its growth in the first year. Cut or stamp on any new shoots that may have gone out of the way.

The best way to control the spreading of Nuda Bamboo is to use a Root Barrier, an effective shield for stopping the rhizomes from spreading. 

If mowing and root barrier are less effective, dig out the rhizomes completely.

Remove the old culm every 2 – 3 years to promote new plants. 

The young Phyllostachys nuda Snow Bamboo plants are adorable to watch as they grow due to the colour of the sheaths and the bright green stems.

The new sheaths have a vibrant dark pinkish colour, they fall off revealing shiny green culms (stems) which turn darkish green as they mature. 

The bamboo is, indeed, an amazing bamboo.

Bambusoideae Phyllostachys Bambusoides [Japanese Timber Bamboo]

 Phyllostachys bambusoides is a large, tall bamboo from the sub-family Bambusoideae. 

It grows to over 10m in height, ideal for a walkthrough, large garden, or woodland forest. 

This running bamboo is also called Giant Timber Bamboo (other names include Medake and Japanese Timber Bamboo).

Bambusoideae Timber Bamboo for Sale

The giant timber bamboo plants are hard to find in pots online. Some UK suppliers may sell them on request or source them for you. 

Here is where to buy Giant Timber bamboo plants online. We listed some top UK Home and Garden bamboo suppliers like Crocus and YouGarden.

We list some Giant Timber Bamboo Seeds suppliers on Amazon. 

Phyllostachys Bambusoides (Bambusoideae) Features

• Name: Phyllostachys bambusoides, Madake, Giant Timber bamboo, Japanese Timber Bamboo
• Site: Full sun to part shade
• Soil: Prefers fertile and well-drained, moist soil
• Uses: Walkthrough, woodland forest, large garden.
• Winterhardiness: - 10 to – 15 degrees Celsius.
• Height: 15 - 20m, tall upright bamboo.
• Spread: 5 – 7m, running bamboo.
• Foliage: Evergreen Bamboo with spectacular slender long leaves.
• Culm colour: Thick woody stems, green to golden yellow when matures.

Grow Phyllostachys Bambusoides Japanese Timber Bamboo

The Giant Japanese Timber Bamboo belongs to the bamboo sub-family Bambusoideae, known widely as the Phyllostachys Bambusoides, Japanese Timber Bamboo or Medake.

This impressive bamboo is one of the largest bamboo plants that adapt to the temperate region. 

It thrives in full sun to part shade where the soil is moist but well-drained. Ideal plant for large botanical gardens, walkthroughs and woodland forests.

The Giant Japanese Timber Bamboo loves mild temperatures and high ceilings if grown indoors. 

Alternatively, keep it in pots and containers and place it on the patio or terrace where there is enough sunlight.

The giant timber bamboo plants also thrive in contained spaces and will be reasonably taller than other Phyllostachys varieties. Therefore, take its spread and height into consideration, before choosing a site for planting.

The Giant Timber bamboo and Edulis Moso Bamboo are the two common bamboo plants from the gigantic sub-family Bambusoideae. P. bambusoides can grow in the temperate European climate, including the warmer parts of the UK.

Specimens of these two large bamboo plants can be seen at the beautiful Kew Gardens London or the Trebeh Gardens Cornwall.

Protect tall bamboo plants

The Timber Bamboo is hardy to – 20 degrees Celsius, but unlike its large cousin the Moso Bamboo mentioned earlier here, this bamboo does not like the cold. 

This giant bamboo is susceptible to frost and frozen soil. Prolonged temperatures below 0 degrees Celsius can completely damage this giant.

To save your bamboo from any irreparable damage, add a thick layer of organic mulch or move it to a sheltered site where the cold and frost will not affect it.

Act quickly if you see the browning of leaves or culms. 

If they are growing in pots, cut the long culms and put the plants in a sheltered site. That way, the plant will survive and put out new growth in Spring.

Propagate Giant Timber Bamboo

There are three ways to propagate bamboo plants – from the seeds, by culm and rhizome cuttings, or by separation of the main culm base.

Some people have successfully used conventional ‘Layering’ as the fourth way to propagate large bamboo. 

However, propagating bamboos from the cuttings and by separation is, by far, the two popular ways to get successful plants in the UK.

We list some Giant Timber Bamboo Seeds supplies on Amazon. 

Phyllostachys bambusoides (Japanese Timber Bamboo)

The Phyllostachys bambusoides (Giant Japanese Timber Bamboo) can be hard to find in the UK. 

The best places to see these impressive evergreen bamboo plants are the botanical gardens. Kew Gardens and Trebeh Gardens.

Check at your local Garden Centres or Nursery and ask for the Phyllostachys bambusoides. Or mention the names Medake, Giant Timber Bamboo, and Japanese Timber Bamboo.

Bambusa textilis Gracilis Weaver’s Bamboo Spec and Info

Slender Weaver’s Bamboo (Bambusa textilis gracilis)  is commonly called the Weaver’s bamboo. 

This clumping bamboo is tall, slender, upright, and thin-walled; a specimen of non-invasive bamboo. 

It can grow to 10 metres in height, ideal for garden hedges, privacy screens and large heavy-duty pots. 

Bambusa textilis gracilis is a standout bamboo plant to grow outdoors, or in pots and containers.

 

Quick facts

• Identification: Weaver's bamboo 'Gracilis', Bambusa textilis var. gracilis, Weaver's bamboo, Graceful weaver's bamboo.
• Foliage: Evergreen dense foliage.
• Culm: Tall upright slender bamboo.
• Height: 9 – 10m, tall/large bamboo
• Spread: 3 – 4m clump-forming
• Use: Privacy screens, garden hedging, containers, oriental garden, individual plant, landscaping
• Perennial: 20 years.

Bamboo growth requirements

• Site: Full sun to part shade.
• Soil: loamy, sand and clay.
• Moisture: Well-drained and moist.
• Hardiness: – 10 to – 4 degrees Celsius, UK H4 hardy.

Check out the list of UK Home and Garden retailers that sell bamboo plants.

Varieties of Bambusa textilis 'Gracilis' cultivars

The distinct variations among the Bambusa textilis cultivars make it easy to tell them apart. 

First, let’s take a look at the 5 common Bambusa textilis 'Gracilis' cultivars. 

Slender Weaver’s Gracilis Bamboo (Bambusa textilis var. gracilis): 

This is the common Weavers’ Bamboo in the Bambusa gracilis group. Its desirable slender and clump-forming nature makes it a preferred choice for tall privacy screens and garden hedging. 

Emerald Bamboo (Bambusa textilis 'mutabilis'): 

A stunning upright bamboo with a spectacular blueish white appearance, quite a rare bamboo. 

The name ‘emerald’ is fitting for its light-yellow elongated culms, slim green leaves and graceful foliage. 

Bambusa textilis ‘Kanapaha’: 

Commonly called Wang Chuk meaning Royal Bamboo. This Timber Bamboo is a giant of the Bambusa textilis group. 

It can reach a height of 15 – 20 metres at maturity. 

Bambusa textilis ‘RG Dwarf’ (Weaver's Bamboo Dwarf): 

Do not be fooled by the name, Weaver's Bamboo Dwarf can grow to 5 metres in height. 

Compared to the other Dwarf Bamboos the Weaver's Bamboo is tall. 

The Weaver's Bamboo Dwarf is a Tropical bamboo variety that requires high humidity, fertile soil, and high moisture and grows well in confined spaces – an ideal indoor dwarf bamboo plant. 

Bambusa textilis 'Maculata': 

Slender and erect bamboo, very similar to Gracilis. It is an excellent bamboo for small yards and tight spaces. 

The culms are slightly further apart at the base, unlike the Slender Weaver’s Bamboo.

How to grow slender Weaver’s bamboo textilis

There are several ways to grow bamboo, it depends on how much time you have and what propagation method suit you. 

Here are the three reliable (and quick) ways to grow large clumping bamboos are:

1. Clump separation or division;
2. Culm cuttings; or
3. Nursery bamboo textilis plants.

Firstly, growing the slender Weaver’s Bamboo from clump separation is probably the quickest way to propagate bamboo. 

If you have an old bamboo grove, you can take the divisions and plant them straight into the ground. 

Secondly, propagation by stem cuttings is another effective way to grow large bamboo such as the Bambusa textiles and Bambusa tuloides varieties. 

But, you have to propagate the cuttings in the propagating medium before transplanting them into large pots or into the ground. 

And thirdly, buying the Slender Weaver’s bamboo from nursery and growing it is probably the quickest get a new plant. 

You do not have to worry about the propagation period. 

Here are some UK home and garden retailers where you can get your bamboo plants, supplies and accessories from.

Qualities and features of slender Weaver’s bamboo plants

The Slender Weaver’s Bamboo, Bambusa textilis, is clump-forming, hardy, evergreen with slender, green to yellow culms and slightly arching stems. 

This bamboo produces many canes that are very closely spaced and have dense foliage. Since the slender Weaver’s Bamboo grows tall, it does not prefer sites where there are strong winds. 

Plant it in protected sites or away from the wind. 

For example, it will grow very tall if it grows under tall pines or other deciduous trees. 

In an ideal case, grow the slender Weaver’s bamboo to block any tall unsightly features next door.

Uses of slender Weaver’s bamboo

This clump-forming non-invasive bamboo is the best choice for tall and thick garden hedges and privacy screens. 

In fact, the thick green leaves, arching evergreen foliage and tall (upright dense) culms make this bamboo the best choice for tall covers. 

It is also an ideal bamboo for large pots and containers. One reason why it makes a good container plant is its compact (clumping) nature. It adapts well to confined spaces. 

Another reason this bamboo is ideal for pots and containers is that it will *not* grow to its full height when planted in pots, however, it will still give admirable stem colourations, slender culms and evergreen foliage. 

Also, if you want to grow a Bambusa textilis in pots and containers, the best option is Bambusa textilis ‘RG Dwarf’ (the Weaver's Bamboo Dwarf) or Buddah's Belly Bamboo (Bambusa tuldoides Ventricosa).

How to care for your slender Weaver’s bamboo?

Although the slender Weaver’s bamboo plants are tolerant to pests and variable soil conditions, there is a number of natural threats growers should be mindful of, such as slugs’ attacks and wind. 

Slugs' attack on bamboo plants is a common occurrence, they adore the new shoots and leaves. 

Protect the new growth, especially in Spring and Summer when the new growths are prominent, by applying Slug and Snail Killer. 

Ominously, the Weaver’s Bamboo is tall. Its new culms will have several internodes before putting out branches and leaves, therefore, the culms are susceptible to wind. 

Stake the new culms to protect them from swaying and breaking.

General care for bamboo plants

Generally, the running- and clump-forming bamboos love moist soil but do not like too much water. 

The newly planted bamboo plants will thrive in well-aerated loam, or sand and loose clay soil. So, make sure that the soil remains well-drained and aerated. 

In addition, the older plants will require fertiliser and mulch, at least, once in Spring. Check to see if they are putting out new shoots, or whether the leaves and soil are in good condition. 

For healthy bamboo plants, do these:

• Apply Slug and Snail Killer around your new bamboo.
• Add organic mulch.
• Tie the culms to bamboo sticks/stakes.
• Add NPK fertilizers.
• Trim old culms to promote new growths.

The Slender Weaver’s Bamboo textilis is a formidable plant for garden hedging and privacy screens.