Bambusa malingensis Seabreeze Bamboo for Privacy Screen

Seabreeze bamboo, also known as Bambusa malingensis, is a popular choice for creating a privacy screen in outdoor spaces. Its tall, slender stalks and lush green foliage make it an attractive option for any garden or backyard. However, growing bamboo plants can be a bit tricky if you’re not familiar with the right methods. In this article, we’ll explain how to successfully grow Seabreeze bamboo for a privacy screen.

Seabreeze bamboo is clump-forming bamboo

First, it’s important to note that Seabreeze bamboo is a clump-forming bamboo. It will not spread aggressively like some other types of bamboo. This is great news for those who are concerned about bamboo taking over their garden or backyard. In fact, it does still require plenty of space to grow and reach its full potential.

The first step is to choose a suitable location. This type of bamboo thrives in full sun or partial shade. It’s best to plant it in a location that receives at least six hours of direct sunlight each day. 

Also, consider the soil type and drainage when choosing a location. Seabreeze bamboo prefers well-drained soil that is rich in organic matter. If your soil is heavy clay or sandy, you may need to amend it with compost or other organic matter to improve its fertility and drainage.

Check out where to buy bamboo in the UK, here

Planting Seabreeze bamboo

Once you have chosen a suitable location, it’s time to prepare the soil. Start by removing any grass, weeds, or other debris from the area. 

Then, dig a hole that is twice as wide as the root ball of your bamboo plant. Mix some compost or other organic matter into the soil that you removed from the hole. This will improve the soil’s fertility and drainage.

Next, it’s time to plant your Seabreeze bamboo. Gently remove the bamboo plant from its container and loosen any tangled roots. Place the plant in the hole and fill in around it with the amended soil. Water the plant well and keep the soil consistently moist until the plant is established.

In this video, I filled the gaps in the bamboo screen and explain what to do when removing bamboo from pots.

 

Monitoring new bamboo plant

Once your Seabreeze bamboo is planted, it’s important to keep up with regular maintenance to ensure that it grows strong and healthy. This includes regular watering, fertilizing, and pruning.

Watering is crucial, especially during the first few weeks after planting. The soil should be kept consistently moist, but not waterlogged. 

As the plant becomes established, you can reduce the frequency of watering. However, it’s important to keep an eye on the soil moisture level and water as needed.

Caring for Seabreeze bamboo

Fertilizing is also important for Seabreeze bamboo. Use a balanced fertilizer that is high in nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Apply the fertilizer according to the package instructions, usually once a month during the growing season.

Pruning is another important step in maintaining your Seabreeze bamboo. Prune off any dead or damaged stalks and remove any yellow or brown leaves. This will promote healthy growth and encourage new stalks to sprout.

With proper care and maintenance, your Seabreeze bamboo will grow quickly and create a lush, green privacy screen in no time. As it grows taller, you can also add a trellis or other support to help it maintain its shape and keep it upright.

Have you heard about Alphonse Karr bamboo? One of the outstanding yellow bamboo plants, find out.

Bambusa malingensis Seabreeze Bamboo for Privacy Screen

All in all, growing Seabreeze bamboo for a privacy screen is a great way to add some greenery to your outdoor space. 

However, it does require proper care and maintenance to ensure that it thrives. 

By choosing a suitable location, preparing the soil, and keeping up with regular care & maintenance, your bamboo will provide the privacy screen you envisioned.

Which bamboo is best for privacy screens? [Fargesia Vs Phyllostachys]

Homeowners and gardeners are wondering which bamboo plant would be most suited for screening purposes.

Some bamboo plants, called running bamboo plants, can become a serious problem if planted in the garden without a barrier.

There are many cultivars of running and clump-forming bamboo. The common ones are the Phyllostachys and Fargesia bamboo plants.

So, which bamboo plants is best for privacy screens? 

Which bamboo is best for privacy screens?

Many gardeners play it safe and opt for the clump-forming Fargesia over Phyllostachys. 

The Fargesia bamboo plants hold more foliage which offers more density for screening whereas the Phyllostachys is more about the stem colour and height.

Different Fargesia cultivars will produce different thicknesses and heights so it really depends on your need for screening.

For Fargesias, the Fargesia Umbrella bamboo plants produce thick screens and Fargesia Robusta cultivars are mostly tall. 

Some Phyllostachys bamboo plants like the Black Bamboo (Phyllostachys nigra) and Scottish Bamboo (Phyllostachy Humilis) are running bamboos but behave like clump-forming bamboos in cooler climates.

Bamboo charm and elegance

The charm of the foliage and elegance is quickly lost when you see roots and shoots emerging in all parts of the garden, interfering with the built structures. 

Even worst when they cross the boundary over to the neighbour's side and cause some 'neighbourly discussions'.

Most Phyllostachys bamboo plants have running rhizomes that spread. But, there are cost-effective ways to grow running bamboo for screening.

You can still enjoy the charm and elegance of these beautiful plants by building a rhizome barrier before growing them. 

Use bamboo root barriers

When growing the running bamboo plants within barriers you won't have problems with them invading all parts of the garden, built structures and neighbour's side.

There are many different ways to create bamboo barriers from growing bamboo in planter boxes, pots and containers to building raised structures and securing bamboo roots within roots barriers.

Fast-growing Evergreen Outdoor Privacy Screen - All You Need To Know

An outdoor Bamboo Screen is the best way to shield off unattractive features near the hedge and add a space of admirable greenery. 

Many gardeners and homeowners prefer garden bamboo screening because they have desirable features such as dense evergreen foliage, height, spread and hardiness.

About this article: This article is a guide for finding suitable bamboo plants for privacy screens. The bamboo plants are placed into tall, short and medium. If you want an 8 ft privacy screen or a modest natural bamboo screen, check out the original article here.

Garden Bamboo Hedging Screen Ideas

A privacy screen can be thin or thick, tall, short or medium. They come in many shapes and sizes. 

The common bamboo plants in the UK have dense evergreen foliage and come in various sizes.

You can find the perfect bamboo Phyllostachys or Fargesia for screening. 

To help you, we group the bamboo into different ‘height’ and ‘spread’ categories so that you can use the suggestion as a guide when selecting a bamboo plant for screening.

Height of bamboo privacy screen - Idea #1

Bamboo plants often grow (very quickly) to a full height in the first 3 years and remain evergreen for 10 to 20 years. 

Some bamboo plants are tall, best for the tall bamboo privacy screens that are about 8ft tall.

Others are short or fall in between tall and short bamboo. The options are endless.

We group the bamboo into 

• tall (6 metres+), 
• medium (4 metres to 6 metres), and
• short (1 metre to 4 metres).

Note that the online bamboo suppliers and bamboo retailers will clearly show the average height on the labels. 

We use them as the standard heights (and spreads) and do not guarantee that the bamboo plants will reach their full potential because soil condition and the environment can affect their growth.

The new bamboo plants will require some care and attention to grow to the maximum heights.

Also, the bamboo plants are tolerant and hardy, but they will succumb to slug attacks and poor soil conditions. So as any good grower should do, always prepare the site before planting.

 Check out the guides on how to prepare the site for growing bamboo plants.

Bamboo privacy screen choose the right spread - Idea #2

Another important feature of bamboo plants to consider for privacy screens is the ‘spread’. The spread is basically how wide the bamboo can spread from the parent plant to shield off the unsightly structure.

Some varieties of clumping bamboo are perfect options for low hedging privacy screens but may not be ideal for blocking an overlooking-window high up. So, it is vital to take into consideration all you want the plant to do.

Notably, the running bamboo plants are invasive and will spread if left unchecked. They are ideal for a tall narrow screen. On the other hand, the clump-formers do not have running rhizomes. 

Although they are considered non-invasive, the clumps and culm (or cane) clusters will outgrow the designated site.

We group the bamboo plants, both running and clumping bamboo, into 3 categories - see here. The groupings are based on their average spread. 

We hope that the groupings will help you to identify the bamboo plants by how far they spread from the parent plant.

Dense culm clusters thick hedging bamboo screens - Idea #3

The clumping bamboo plants rarely grow to 6 metres and are much denser than the running bamboo. They thrive in the UK climate.

The bamboo plants in this category are predominantly clump-forming with either thicker culms or produce masses of culms in Spring. 

As the name suggests, the clumping bamboo canes (culms) tend to grow into a tight cluster around the parent plant, forming a formidable tight screen.

If you are screening a short wall or the neighbour's shed, the clump-forming bamboos are the best options. However, you may have to buy more than one plant to provide a good cover. 

As a rule of thumb, plant the clump-forming bamboo no more than 1.5 metres to give you are dense hedging screen.

Here are the 5 bamboo plants that tend to form clusters of ‘Dense-culms and provide small to medium garden bamboo screens.

Arching bamboo for dense privacy screens - Idea #4

The ‘dense foliage' category is made up of tall and arching running bamboo plants commonly referred to as the Umbrella Bamboo. 

Their new shoots grow very fast and tall to about 2 – 3 metres before putting out branches.

The dense arching bamboo plants tend to reach a height of about 4 to 6 metres, ideal for thick screens. 

For example, these bamboos provide an evergreen cover (or screen) for boundaries, walls and low buildings.

‘Upright’ bamboo for tall privacy screen ideas - Idea #5

Check out where to get this bamboo here.

This category is an extension of the Tall garden bamboo hedging screen listed above. 

Additionally, this extra list separates the tall upright bamboo plants from the arching plants. 

Take it as an exclusive list of only the popular Phyllostachys running bamboo plants, except the clumping bamboo Standing Stone.

As the name implies, upright bamboo plants tend to grow straight up. Some can reach over 6 metres if the conditions are right.

Many of these upright bamboo plants tend to do well when they are planted away from the direct wind, providing the best natural screen all year round. 

Here are the 5 upright bamboo plants that thrive in the UK, in fact, most of them are on crocus.co.uk.

How to select the best privacy screen - Idea #6

The bamboo privacy screen is the best way to create an admirable natural green space in the garden. 

Here is a risk-analysis checklist, a guide to selecting bamboo hedging plants, to help you choose the best garden natural privacy screens.

This table is a tool that will surely help you to identify the right garden hedging bamboo screen. Here is how to use the table:

• firstly, make a shortlist of  suitable bamboo plants,
• secondly, use what you know and your expectations of the bamboo and
• finally, use the 5 bamboo plants we stated to identify, by elimination, the bamboo you want.

You will select the right bamboo if you follow these 3 simple steps.

How to grow bamboo for a privacy screen? - Idea #7

Bamboo growers have always asked ‘how close to a structure or the neighbour’s side should they plant bamboo?’.

Some bamboo varieties can destabilise the structures or creep into the neighbour’s side.

If you a going to plant a bamboo hedging screen near the boundary, you’ve got to choose the site well.

There are several factors that will affect your choice of site for planting the running bamboo screen. 

If you can control the bamboo from the start, it will become easier as they grow, but how close to the neighbour’s side should you plant a hedging bamboo?

Guide for selecting the right garden bamboo hedging screen

So we have covered many tips and ideas and presented several suggestions for selecting bamboo for hedging garden screens. Here is the 'Guide' to help you make your decision!

Note that the questions are structured especially for you to eliminate the undesirable bamboo plants, leaving only the best option for you. Download the PDF version - Guide for Selecting Garden Hedging Bamboo.

Right garden bamboo privacy screen matters

Finding the best, even better the right, bamboo is what matters the most. 

So, use your preferences to find the right bamboo for garden screening.

Other factors to consider are, for example, how high the bamboo should grow and how much space is available for it to spread. 

These important factors have been included in this article, so you will not go wrong when selecting a fast-growing evergreen outdoor privacy screen.

Furthermore, growing bamboo on the hedge as a privacy screen sometimes means that you will have to plant the bamboo close to the neighbour’s side. 

All these risk-benefit analyses are important as you choose bamboo for your garden.

Conclusion

To conclude, the right option for a Fast-growing Evergreen Outdoor Privacy Screen depends entirely on your situation and choice.

We create the risk-analysis table as a tool for helping you choose the right bamboo. 

So, use the suggestions in this article to help you identify the best home and garden hedging privacy screen.

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]

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.

Things You Must Do When Growing Bamboo in Pots

Bamboo plants in pot and container planters are great for instant privacy screens. Besides, you do not have to worry about the bamboos’ invasiveness because the planters are barriers. 

They also provide the benefit of moving them around to optimise on space available, perfect for small and narrow spaces.

Bamboo plants come in different sizes and shapes. The options are endless. Some tall and slender bamboo varieties are perfect for privacy screening the porches, patios, decks and balconies.

Check out best ways to grow healthy bamboo in pots, or see our sales page where you can find the renowned UK Home & Garden retailers for bamboo plants and supplies.

Ensuring healthy bamboo plants

There are more benefits to using the plants. However, growing bamboo in pot and container planters requires extra care and attention, unlike the garden hedging bamboo screens.

In this article, you will find out about how to:

• choose the best bamboo for small outdoor spaces,
• select the best planters to grow bamboo and
• provide long-term care for the bamboo plants.

How to select the best pots and containers?

There are a lot of recommendations for larger and bigger bamboo planters, but these are not often the best recommendations for narrow outdoor areas like the deck, patio, balcony or porch. 

Unless, of course, use a bigger planter if the outdoor area has enough space for a bigger plant.

When choosing a pot or container for growing bamboo, size, weight and stability matter!

That begs the question what is the best pot or container for planting bamboo plants?

The three-pointers will help you to identify the bamboo planter that suits you.

• A strong and durable frost resistant pot or container planter will act as a root barrier and protect the plant against the cold. Avoid the thin plastic pots because they do not stand a chance against the bamboo rhizomes and clumps in compacted space.
• Avoid growing bamboo in containers that have small openings and heavy tops. If you use these planters, it will be hard to remove the bamboo plants for repotting, or the tall plants will topple to the ground.
• Choose a container or pot that is stable, well insulated and has holes underneath. Here are options for stable square and rectangular pots and container planters and boxes that you should consider when growing bamboo for an apartment balcony, home or office.

Space matters when growing bamboo plants

Perhaps the important point to consider when selecting a pot or container for growing bamboo is the space available on your porch, patio, deck or balcony. Most of these spaces are usually narrow.

Ideally, the narrow rectangular heavy-duty containers are best for this kind of space. For the corners, you may want to choose a heavy-duty square container planter.

Some DIY wooden and metal containers are great for other plants, but not ideal for bamboo plants. 

Furthermore, the metals pots do not have good insulations as they either absorb or lose heat pretty quickly in Summer and Winter, respectively.

If you still wish to use DIY wooden containers to grow bamboo, the best thing to do is to use the treated timbers that can last longer than 5 years. 

As for the metal containers, ensure that they are well insulated from heat and cold.

Above all, ensure that the pot and container planters for growing bamboo are strong and stable, are well insulated, and have good drainage.

 

Choose large pots or container planters

You can move the bamboo into a larger pot or container planters. It is going to be a tedious operation getting the bamboo out. 

However, if you are using the square and rectangular container box, you’ll find it easier to uproot the plant and repot it while saving the old container box.

In a case where it is difficult to remove the plant from the container planter, you will have to decide whether to keep the plant or keep the planter box. That means that you will have to destroy one and save the other.

The best time for repotting a bamboo plant into the container planters is early Spring when the new growths are prominent. 

Avoid environmental stress in confined areas

Like other potted plants, bamboos in pots require attention if they were to thrive in the confined space. 

One of the main reasons why bamboo leaves turn yellow (more info here) is the lack of moisture and nutrient in the soil. 

Undoubtedly, bamboo in pots and container boxes will grow well where there is good moisture and nutrient in the soil.

Many pot and container planter boxes have a hollow bottom where the water drains out pretty quickly. 

Bamboo plants tend to lose more water through transpiration through the thin and slender leaves compared to other thick leaves plants.

Poor drainage and a high rate of transpiration are often the main reasons why the soil in pot planters becomes devoid of nutrients and moisture. This is the main cause of the yellowing of bamboo leaves and browning culms.

How to improve soil condition in pots?

There are two things you can do to improve the soil moisture and soil nutrients in pot and container planters.

Firstly, fill the base of the pot and container planters with pebbles, gravel or a porous pot filler to stop it from losing water. 

Do not block the hole at the bottom of the planters completely because the bamboo plants dislike waterlogged containers.

In addition, leave a spacing of about 10cm to 15 cm at the top of the pot and container planters after you’ve planted the bamboo. This space is very important for mulching and fertilising the plants later.

Secondly, use nutrient-rich loam soil and or potting compost when potting bamboo plants into containers to give them the best start. 

Here is the right mixture of clay to sand to silt to create an ideal loam for growing bamboo. 

Alternatively, a 50/50 mix potting compost contains the right nutrient and moisture for new bamboo plants to thrive in the pots.

If you need more information on how to grow bamboo, check out the Instructional Guides from YouGarden.

How to stop tall bamboo in pots from falling down?

Ominously, the tall bamboo plants will sway in the wind and topple to the ground if the pots are unstable. When this happens, you are likely to have a damaged plant, or pot, or both.

To avoid bamboo in pots falling to the ground, choose a pot or container planter with good stability.

A regular occurrence is when the tall bamboo culms lean out of the bamboo cluster or grove. In this case, use the garden ropes to tie them back. 

Protect potted bamboo roots and rhizomes from cold and frost

The bamboos in pots and container planters require insulation in Winter when the temperature falls to negative values.

Although the bamboo plants are tough and hardy, the roots and rhizomes are above ground level and are directly exposed to the weather, unlike the plants on the ground. 

The bamboo plants in the planter pots are prone to frost, frozen soil and, even, the Winter’s chill.

The best way to protect the bamboo in the planters is to add mulch and cover the base of the pots with an insulating blanket, bubble wrap or special plant insulation fleece.

Do these when bamboo in pot and container planters grow big

The running and clumping bamboo plants will reach full growth in the pots and containers within 2 – 5 years. That is the period when the plants are at their peak. 

They’ll display evergreen foliage, shiny culms and beautiful leaves – an ideal time to enjoy the beauty of your bamboo plants.

The plants will thrive for more than 5 to 10 years in large pot planters under the right conditions and care mentioned in this article. 

To continue to enjoy them, there are a couple of things you can do to keep the plants in the pot longer.

How to maintain bamboo plants in pots and containers?

Bamboo plants are relatively hardy bamboo and can withstand air temperatures as low as – 20 degrees Celsius in normal growing conditions. 

However, bamboo plants in pots and containers without the right insulations will struggle to survive at such very low temperatures.

So the first thing to do before planting them is to insulate the containers by using styrofoam which is light and great for extra insulation. 

In addition, the new bamboo plants are prone to slugs damage. Add Slugs and Snail Killer to protect new shoots and rhizome tips.

Here are some general protection measures to apply when planting bamboo in pot and container planters;

• Apply Slug and Snail Killer around your new bamboo.
• Add organic mulch.
• Tie the long culms to bamboo sticks or poles.
• Add insulation inside the pot and containers.
• Cover the pots and containers with additional insulation fleece or blanket when the temperature drops to negative degrees Celsius.

‘Thinning’ bamboo in pot and container planters

Remove the old unhealthy culms (canes) to give the new shoots a chance to reach full height. In fact, the new shoots will be stronger and taller than previous bamboos, so encourage new growth if you want taller and healthier plants.

After 5 – 10 years, you will have to carry out ‘thinning’. Remove the older bamboo culms and rhizomes from the pots and containers, and separate the culms into segments for repotting. This activity is best done in Spring.

At this juncture, we provided insight into how to select and grow the perfect bamboo plants in pots for the small outdoor space at home, the office or the rental place. 

If you are undecided, do not worry. Check out the Award Winning bamboo plants.

We hope this article helps you. Let us know what you think in the comment below.

Fargesia Papyrifera 'Blue Dragon' Bamboo Plants

Fargesia ‘Blue Dragon’ (Fargesia papyrifera Borinda) is known for its stunning stem colouration. 

Blue Dragon’s whitish-blue culms can reach a full height of 5m to 7m. 

The borinda bamboo family are ideal for natural privacy screens or as an ornamental garden feature.

Quick facts

• Identification: Fargesia papyrifera ‘Blue Dragon’, Borinda ‘Blue Dragon’, Borinda Papyrifera.
•  Foliage: Evergreen bushy foliage.
• Culm/sheath: Tall, thick, powdery whitish-blue culms and large brown sheath.
• Height: 4 – 7m, upright.
• Spread: 3 – 4m, clump-forming.
• Use: specimen, containers, oriental garden, individual plant, landscaping.

Find out where to buy clumping bamboo plants in the UK.

Growth requirements

• Site: Shade to full sun.
• Soil: loam (equal amounts of sand, clay, silt) or loam-based composts.
• Moisture: Well-drained and moist.
• Hardiness: –15 to – 10 degrees Celsius, UK H5 hardy.

What are the other Borinda clumping bamboo cultivars?

There are several varieties of Borinda clumping bamboo cultivators. They are clumping umbrella bamboo, non-invasive, upright with evergreen foliage. 

The ‘Blue Dragon’ (or Blue Stem Bamboo) is a stunning ornamental bamboo plant.

The Blue Stem Bamboo was introduced in 2015. Many of them are recently introduced cultivars in the UK. 

They are hardy, vigorous and tolerant plants.

Blue Bamboo Plant Cultivars

There are several Fargesia Borinda varieties that are thriving in the UK. Here are the three that you can find online or at your local garden centre:

• Fargesia 'Blue Dragon' (Fargesia papyrifera Borinda)
• Frost Bamboo (Fargesia Borinda Angustissima).
• Chocolate Bamboo (Borinda fungosa).
• Borinda yunnanensis (Fargesia yunnanensis)

Check out the bamboo collections at Thomson & Morgan UK.

Standout features of Fargesia Borinda bamboo plants

The four Fargesia Borinda bamboos have stunning features from the new shoots to culm colours, sheets and leaves. 

These clump-formers are prominent in the US and Australia where there are pronominally seen in feature gardens and landscaping. 

They also add splashes of different colours to the backyard garden and outdoor areas. 

Fargesia papyrifera Borinda: 

The 'Blue Dragon' Papyrifera Borinda is a clumping umbrella bamboo, also called the ‘Blue Dragon’ after its spectacular blue culms. 

It is a tall upright bamboo that will eventually arch under the weight of the shiny green leaves. A great ornamental plant. 

Fargesia Borinda Angustissima: 

Borinda Angustissima is probably the common Fargesia Borinda bamboo in the UK. 

Angsutissima is known for its crimson-purple shoots, lime green culms, creamy sheaths and frosty leaves giving it a white powdery appearance. 

Fantastic as an individual plant or in rows as a privacy screen and hedge. 

 The 'Frosty Bamboo'

 

Borinda fungosa: 

This clumping bamboo is a standout due to its burgundy-red culms. 

It has large slender leaves that closely resemble the leaves of Fargesia yunnanensis. 

Both bamboo fungosa and yunnanensis have beautiful leaf patterns. The leaves tend to form a full, lush screen perfect for small outdoor spaces. 

Fargesia yunnanensis: 

This fountain bamboo has peculiar purple-pink sheaths, and the young foliage has hair-like nodes. 

The leaves of bamboo Fargesia yunnanensis and Borinda fungosa are similar.

You must pay close attention to the sheath, culms and shoots to tell them apart. They are perfect for small outdoor spaces, or pots and containers. 

How to grow Fargesia papyrifera ‘Blue Dragon’?

Growing the Fargesia papyrifera ‘Blue Dragon’ from clump separation is probably the quickest way. 

Propagation by stem cuttings is another effective way to grow the ‘Blue Dragon’. However, you have to propagate the cuttings in a propagating medium before transplanting them. 

Growing these spectacular specimen bamboos requires care and attention to get them off to a good start. But, as mentioned, the Fargesia Borinda family are quite recently cultivars in the UK. 

Therefore, you may have difficulty finding a ‘Blue Dragon’ grove near you. 

If you cannot get a plant at your local nursery or garden centre, check online.

Where to buy bamboos in the UK?

We list the suppliers of bamboo plants, here. 

They are renowned UK Gardens Shops where you can get your bamboo plants, supplies and accessories from.

Uses of Fargesia papyrifera ‘Blue Dragon’

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

In fact, the thick green leaves, arching evergreen foliage and upright dense culms are the best choices 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. 'Blue Dragon will grow to its full height when planted in pots and it will still give the admirable stem colourations, slender culms and evergreen foliage. 

In addition, if you want to grow a Fargesia Borinda in pots and containers, the best option is Fargesia Borinda Angustissima.

How to care for your Fargesia ‘Blue Dragon’?

Fargesia papyrifera ‘Blue Dragon’ plants are tolerant to pests and variable soil conditions. 

But, be mindful of slugs’ attacking the new growths. Protect the new growth, especially in Spring and Summer when the new growths are prominent, by applying Slug and Snail Killer. 

The ‘Blue Dragon’ is tall. This bamboo, like the tall bamboo plants, is susceptible to wind. 

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

General care for bamboo plants

Generally, the running and clumping bamboos love moist soil, but they do not like waterlogged areas. 

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.

Also, 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.

More info on bamboo care

Finally, the Fargesia ‘Blue Dragon’ and three other Fargesia Borinda bamboo plants are stunning plants. 

The clump-forming bamboo plants are recent cultivars hand have outstanding colourations and features.

5 Best Fargesia Bamboo Screen Plants

Fargsia bamboo plants are perfect screening plants, they are upright with leaves running from the bottom to the top, yet not invasive.

They are bushy and attractive screens that could be used to hide the unsightly walls, sheds and views.

 

 Fargesia bamboo plants for sale UK

Here is where to buy the clump-forming bamboo plants online.  

We listed some top UK Home and Garden bamboo suppliers like Crocus and YouGarden.

Also, check out Amazon bamboo suppliers.

5 Best Fargesia Bamboo Screen Plants

Fargesia murieliae 'Rufa' (Umbrella Bamboo) 

This fargesia bamboo is tolerant of both sun and shade and is best planted away from windy sites. It produces clusters of small leaves on orange and green stems (or culms).

Fargesia robusta 'Campbell'

A popular bamboo in the UK due to its clump-forming nature and stunning appearance.

It has light brown sheaths and bright green culms (stems), turning olive-green as they mature. Stunning bamboo to grow as a garden centrepiece, in shade or as a screen for all weather.

Fargesia papyrifera (Blue Dragon) 

It is quick-growing and tall upright fargesia bamboo, with the most peculiar blue cane colouration, prefers a shaded area and grows well in partly shaded locations.

 Fargesia robusta 'Pingwu' 

A low-maintenance fargesia bamboo, suitable for full sun or partial shade. 

It is evergreen dense foliage is ideal for a narrow screen.

Fargesia nitida (Chinese Fountain Bamboo)

This fantastic fargesia bamboo grows up to 4m in length and 3m wide. Can do pretty well in pots and containers.

It is an upright fargesia bamboo with narrow canes that arch at the top.

Fargesia bamboo for sale UK

Fargesia bamboo UK

Some bamboos grow better in the shaded and part-shaded areas, making them good choices for shady areas of the garden or as undergrowth. Others prefer sunny spots.

As a rule of thumb, the Fargesia and Phyllostachys bamboo thrive in shades and are ideal for growing in pots or as screens, undergrowths and hedges

Some of the most shade-loving varieties of bamboo, growing in the UK are Fargesia, Borinda, Pleioblastus, Sasa, Sasaella and Phyllostachys.

The varieties of bamboo above are popular among bamboo growers in the UK but are not limited to what you can grow in the garden. 

Discover over 100 bamboo collections at the GBP blog (Fargesia & Phyllostachys) and GBP website (Fargesia & Phyllostachys).