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.

5 Best Tools for Digging Up Bamboo Roots [VIDEOS]

Many experiences have indicated that digging up clump-forming bamboo or running bamboo is a tedious task. Yet, using the best bamboo digging tools is the key to making a heavy job lighter. 

The bamboo that grows among trees and new concrete structures can be even harder to dig out.  

Find the 5 best tools for removing bamboo roots and rhizomes.

5 bamboo digging tools – recommended

The running bamboo rhizomes and clumping bamboo clump-base are found at the top layer of the soil, it will require a lot of digging, cutting and pulling.

The list of the top 5 Hand Tools (and alternatives) you should have when digging bamboo.

1. Pickaxe (or mattock) – For digging and breaking into the rhizomes (of the running bamboos) and clumps (of the clump-forming bamboos).
2. Wrecking bar (or crowbar) – access the rhizomes and break up the solid clumps.
3. Garden Rake – clear the working area off loose soils and leaves.
4. Pair of Secateurs - cut the root hairs, small culms and rhizomes.
5. Pair of Garden Loppers (or hand saw)– cut the bulky clumps and rhizomes.

 

Correct tool key to a light job

'Lever' is key when removing bamboo

The correct tools make the job easier. If you are planning to dig and remove bamboo plants, you will need all the 5 had tools listed above.

Running Bamboo Plants: 

The rhizomes of the Running Bamboo Plants run horizontally away from the parent plant and also intertwine with other rhizomes, plant roots and anything in their way. 

A long-handled tool with a pointed tip gives you access and provides the lever you need to remove the bamboo deep underground.

Clump-forming Bamboo Plants:

The clump-base of the clump-forming bamboo plants is often tightly packed together, tough and strong. 

The best way to deal with it is to work your way through the clump base from one side and chip off bit by bit until you remove the bamboo.

Perhaps the most important point is to use a long-handled hand tool to give you the leverage you need to uproot the bamboo.

Although, the bamboos do NOT grow deep into the soil. It will require a lot of digging, cutting and pulling.

Dig up bamboo, slow and steady

The hardest part is removing the intertwined rhizomes of the runner bamboo or chipping away the tightly packed clump-base of the clump-forming bamboo.

It is going to be a slow and steady job. So, do not try to get them done in one go if you are working alone. In a case where you want a fast job, get help.

Where you Buy Bamboo Digging Tool: A better tool for digging tough and stubborn bamboo is one that gives you the best leverage. 

Check out this page for more information about the digging tools we used in the videos  and where to buy them.

Our experience digging bamboo

Our running bamboo plants are in great shape providing the evergreen cover over many years. It is always a delight to see the new delicate bamboo shoots in Spring or the old plants dancing in the wind in Summer. Never a dull moment.

But, it is hard work to maintain them. Tedious. Here are some bamboo Grow & Care tips we shared earlier.

• Natural Ways to Remove Bamboo Permanently 
• How to Cut and Remove Bamboo Rhizomes Using Hand Tools

The correct tool is the pickaxe and garden loopers. Highly recommended for anyone wanting to remove or dig up their bamboo plants.

Tools for planting bamboo

Planting a new potted bamboo or growing one from the nursery also requires a good dig. The ground hole has to be deep enough to take the whole plant.

Many bamboo plants come in heavy-duty pots of various sizes, ranging from 10 L pots (26cm diameter top and 22cm depth) to 40 L pots (50cm diameter top and 35.5cm depth.)

Generally, dig an area about twice the Top Diameter and Depth of the pot. A good digging tool makes the job lighter. 

If the soil is compacted and tough, you will need a pickaxe or crowbar. Ideally, a crowbar or spade that is narrow at the tip (such as the grafter and trench digger) will do the job.

Alternative bamboo digging and planting tools

The 5 tools mentioned in this article are all you need to dig and remove the bamboo. 

To recap here are the 5 tools: Pickaxe (or mattock), Wrecking bar (or crowbar), Garden Rake, Pair of Secateurs and Pair of Garden Loppers (or hand saw).

Pickaxe and Wrecking bar are must-haves.

Pros and cons of growing running bamboo plants

Generally, there are lots of bad stories about growing running bamboo in the garden because of its invasiveness. But they are great plants if you look after them well. 

Many bamboo growers prefer the runners because they are the option for a quick and long-lasting solution for hedging and privacy screening, as well as pot plants or for planting in contained spaces. 

Their evergreen dense foliage, different options for height and spread and fast-growing habits make them the ideal choice. 

It will require care and attention, either as new plants or in Spring when the new growths are prominent. 

In addition, mature plants can be difficult to remove when left unchecked for 2 to 3 years. 

The growing benefits of growing running bamboo definitely outweigh its invasiveness. 

Here are some great tips to help you pick the right running bamboo.

Best bamboo features and qualities

Phyllostachys and Pleioblastus varieties are popular running bamboos. They have a spectacular stem and sheath colourations. 

One of them is the spectacular Phyllostachys nigra – the Black Bamboo. We feature many of these bamboos here at G.B.P. Here are some names that you may be familiar with.

• 1. Phyllostachys nigra (4 Cultivars of P. nigra)
• 2. Phyllostachys nuda (Snow Bamboo)
• 3. Phyllostachys humilis (Scottish Bamboo Plants)
• 4. Phyllostachys aurea (4 Cultivars of P. Aurea)
• 5. Phyllostachys vivax Aureocaulis (Golden Chinese Bamboo)

Find out about the unique features and garden qualities of these bamboos from our Phyllostachys Bamboo Collection.

 

Where to buy running bamboo plants?

We work with some big UK home and garden brands. 

Check out the links to go straight to their website where you can find out the bamboo collections and read more about each one.

• Phyllostachys Bamboo Plants     Crocus.co.uk
• Clump-forming Bamboos           YouGarden UK

What to do when buying potted bamboo plants?

Bamboo plants from garden shops and online marketplaces like eBay and Amazon have clear labels. This makes it easy to identify the bamboo. 

However, mix-ups are likely when buying bamboo plants online and also in stores. 

Whether you are buying bamboo seeds or bamboo in pots, it is always the right thing to read the labels properly. 

Also, read the reviews and descriptions before making a purchase.

Cost-effective ways to build bamboo root barriers

There are cheap ways to build bamboo root barriers and stop bamboo rhizomes from spreading. Most of them will require genuine effort.

Planning before planting bamboo is the most effective way to control bamboo. In this article, you’ll discover the 5 effective and cost-efficient ways to stop the running bamboo plants from spreading.

Buy bamboo root barrier: B&Q and YouGarden.

Planning before planting bamboo

This may sound too much. However, it requires a bit of forethought about how far the bamboo will grow. The bamboo plants have the average area they are likely to cover at maturity. 

Here is an example of the features of the Black Bamboo Nigra. It will give you an idea about the bamboo you are planting. 

When it comes to growing running bamboo, prevention is better than cure. So, the long-term maintenance plans and suggestions below will help you to grow and enjoy bamboo screens and hedges.

Inheriting bamboo plants – what to do

The argument for having a maintenance plan prior to growing bamboo does not hold strong if you inherited bamboo. 

In fact, it can be frustrating given the amount of work you need to do to remove bamboo or stop it from spreading. It can also be a costly exercise. 

But, there are quick hacks for keeping the bamboo plants under control. It takes only a couple of hours per year. You will need the tools for maintaining the bamboo plants.

5 cost-effective ways to stop bamboo from spreading

1. Use a bamboo root barrier when planting bamboo

Using a rubber root barrier is a common method for stopping bamboo rhizomes from spreading. It is also the most flexible way to grow bamboo plants because you can grow them in any direction.

The bamboo root barriers are great when growing bamboo along the boundary, near built areas and anywhere near the house. 

Always put in a root barrier prior to planting the running bamboo. It will lessen the maintenance work as the bamboo grows. This article has more information on bamboo root barriers and how to use them.

2. Grow bamboo in heavy-duty pots

The easiest method to stop bamboo from spreading is to plant it in a pot. The roots are pot-bound and will not spread. They are great pot plants for patios, balconies and any outdoor spaces.

Most of them can be used as natural privacy screens or windbreaks. The heady-duty rubber pots are best as they are strong. If you need more information on selecting pots for planting bamboo plants, check out this article.

3. Grow bamboo in a raised bed

This is a less common way of containing bamboo plants, but it can be pretty effective when done right. You can build an elevated raised bed from any material, yet brick raised beds are best.

Understandably, the bamboo rhizomes do not grow deep into the soil. 

A raised bed of about 50 cm is ideal for spotting any shoots that are creeping out the allotted space. The elevated beds are a nice way to grow bamboo as a centrepiece or as an individual plant.

4. Dig a trench around the perimeter of an existing bamboo

Making a trench is a cost-effective method, especially when you have an overgrown plant. 

However, it will require close supervision, especially in spring when the shoot and rhizome growths are prominent. 

You will have to physically check for new growths and cut them off. It is a simple yet effective way to stop bamboo from spreading. 

You should dig about a 30 cm perimeter around the plant as the bamboo roots, unlike plants, do not have a tap root that grows deep. The rhizomes are at the top layer of the soil and easy to spot as they grow over the trench. 

Maintain the trench once or twice a year, ideally at the beginning of spring and at the end of summer.

5. Use patio slabs, metal sheets or heavy-duty rubber materials as rhizome barriers

Alternatives to rubber root barriers are patio slabs, heavy-duty plastics or metal sheets.

They work pretty good alternatives to the root barriers that you often have around the house or in the garden. 

 You should dig a trench 30 – 50 cm deep and lay them along with it. It works perfectly every time.

We’ve done that here (YouTube video - watch and subscribe).

Where to buy bamboo root barriers?

You can use any of the methods for containing bamboo plants and stopping them from invading the garden or the neighbour’s side. 

Always use a bamboo root barrier when growing the running bamboo plants. 

Here are some UK shops where you can get the bamboo root barrier: B&Q and YouGarden.

 

Benefits of growing bamboo plants

Bamboo plants are problematic because they tend to spread. However, there are two types of bamboo plants – running bamboo and clumping bamboo plants. 

The running bamboo spreads and that is why growers should use root barriers when growing it. Yet both types of bamboo plants have many benefits. 

They are also resilient plants that they can grow in shade or on tough soil. They are evergreen which means you will enjoy the natural greenery all year round. 

The two most common features of bamboo are that its fast-growing and also long-lasting. They come in all sizes, shapes, colours and heights. Fit for any purpose.

So, if you want a quick screen to cover any unsightly features in the garden, bamboo is the go-to plant.

Stop bamboo from spreading

Regardless of whether you've inherited bamboo or want to grow a new plant, these 5 ways of building bamboo barriers will help you. 

Always build bamboo rhizome barriers when growing the running bamboo plants. 

Check out the complete bamboo care and maintenance guides on GardenBambooPlants.com.