The bamboos’ spread, height and other growth requirements are based on garden conditions, therefore, they will NOT grow to the specifications when in pots.
As a rule of thumb, estimate a growth specification of 50%-75%. For example, a bamboo that grows to a height of 2 metres in the garden condition will grow to a height of 1.5 metres in the pot.
Ideally, use large heavy-duty pots. Remember that the size of the pots will determine how often to re-pot the bamboo.
The larger the better.
Smaller pots will require re-potting in less than two years given how fast bamboos grow.
Bamboos are tough plants but are responsive to prolonged heat and waterlogged areas. Avoid using metal and ceramic pots.
These materials store heat which can affect the underground parts due to heat exposure during the warm summer months.
Your bamboo should be okay if you use a pot that does not store heat.
Heavy-duty plastic pots, treated wood planters, or resin containers and planters will do the job.
Another important factor is drainage.
Use well-drained pots to grow bamboo plants. Avoid any pot that has poor drainage.
The pots should be well-drained so that not too much water is lost in warmer months, and is not waterlogged when it rains.
What are the advantages of growing bamboo in pots?
Bamboo in pots offers tranquillity and creates a calming atmosphere both indoors and outdoors.
You can grow both the running and clumping bamboos in pots, move them around and create an ideal home and garden space.
The clumping bamboos are fantastic for large pots, while they prevent running bamboo rhizomes from spreading.
They also offer flexibility for moving them around. For example, they can be given as presents or moved indoors to decorate patios, balconies and porches.
What are the disadvantages of growing bamboo in pots?
The main worry about growing bamboo is the invasiveness.
More so, it requires ongoing care and maintenance such as pruning, thinning and re-potting.
Pots are great barriers when it comes to stopping bamboo from invading other spaces.
Growing bamboos in pots
The advantages of growing bamboo in pots far outweigh the disadvantages.
The pots are great barriers when growing bamboo plants. So, use large heavy-duty plastic pots.
They are best for growing bamboo plants.
There is no limit to what bamboo you can grow in pots.
You can grow both varieties and enjoy the evergreen plants all year round.
Conclusion (Can you grow bamboo in pots?)
Both running and clumping bamboos are amazing pot plants. Hope the related articles give you an idea about what bamboo you can grow 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.
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.
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.
Growing bamboo in pots is the best way to stop them from spreading. It makes it easier to move them around and can be used as screens indoors and outdoors.
Despite the benefits, there are also limitations to growing bamboo in pots.
There are two groups of bamboo plants to grow in pot and container planters - the running bamboo and the clumping bamboo.
The former has horizontal stems called ‘rhizomes’ that can grow up to a metre away from the parent plant in just one growing season.
The latter forms a tight base around the parent bamboo, forming dense clusters of canes (culms) and tend to expand in time.
Growing bamboo in pots and containers is an effective way to stop the invasion and or expansion of the running and clumping bamboo plants.
They provide a formidable barrier, restricting the rhizomes from spreading.
Limitations of growing bamboo in pot and container planter boxes
Most bamboo plants are tolerant of pests and diseases and thrive in variable outdoor conditions.
This group of plants are, in fact, tough and hardy but are limited to the size and conditions present in the pot and container planters where they are growing.
Here are likely limitations for growing bamboo plants in pots, containers and planters.
Bamboo plants will succumb to environmental stress in containers.
Tall bamboo in pots will sway and fall in breezy conditions.
Bamboo roots and rhizomes are exposed to cold and heat above the ground.
Running and clumping bamboo will outgrow the planters in 2 – 5 years.
The plants will not grow to the maximum height and will not attain the maximum spread.
To grow bamboo in pot and container planters, you should create (and maintain) the best possible conditions for the plants in the confined space.
The pots contain soil and water. They are practically immovable.
You can move the smaller bamboo pots by using old cardboard boxes to slide them across the floor.
If you need help moving the heavier bamboo pot and container boxes, the Hand Truck will make the heavy work easier.
With some help, you can arrange (and rearrange) the bamboo pots and container boxes neatly to suit your design and liking.
In some cases, you may have to move the bamboo in pots to a site where there is enough sun. The bamboo varieties prefer sun to shade or part shade. By doing this, you can get the best out of your plant.
In other cases, your bamboo may not grow well in the planters. These bamboo plants will need to be removed.
In fact, growing bamboo in pot and container planters is a great way to provide privacy screening for a small space, home, office or rented place.
Evergreen bamboo privacy screens for balcony or terrace
Many people use the terms balcony and terrace interchangeably to mean an extended outdoor space that has a roof cover and comfortable seating area.
In fact, there is a slight difference between the two outdoor spaces. The balcony is smaller and has only one entry door whereas the terrace is comparatively larger with multiple entryways. Both are affixed to the main building structure.
So, what are the best bamboo plants for privacy screening on a balcony or terrace?
Firstly, find out the length of the space that needs screening, and how many pots or containers may be required.
Secondly, decide what containers are best for the space and how many you’ll need.
The third step is important – what type of bamboo plants to choose?
Both deck and patio are often used for large recreational activities and gatherings at home.
A deck is an elevated ‘roofless’ outdoor seating area whereas a patio may not be necessarily elevated and is made of paving stones, bricks and blocks.
Many homeowners prefer to use bamboo sticks (canes) and bamboo mats for deck and patio screening, but do you know bamboo plants are also great natural privacy screens and windshields?
You can even turn the deck into a private outdoor space and block out the unsightly features by screening it with bamboo plants.
The tall, upright and slender running bamboo and clumping bamboo plants that reach 2 - 4 metres in height are perfect for deck screening.
How to find the right bamboo plants for deck or patio privacy screening: We compiled a list of small to medium bamboo plants end of this article to give you an idea about the right plants to pick for screening patio and deck.
Bamboo privacy screen for porch or veranda
Porch and veranda do not vary a great deal.
Often these two enclosures may refer to a roofed entrance (or the front) of a house. However, a veranda can extend to the side or the back of the house. Whereas, a porch is located at the front of the house.
Many porches and verandas are long and narrow. Therefore, select a bamboo that will serve well in narrow spaces such as the clump-forming bamboo plants.
The upright bamboo plants grow without arching.
They have tough narrow canes (culms), slender leaves, and dense foliage - suitable bamboo plants for creating a natural privacy screen in narrow spaces.
10 small and medium bamboo plants for an outdoor screen
We identified the different outdoors areas and bamboo for privacy screens so far. In addition, we created an easy-to-use guide for selecting the right bamboo plants.
Growing bamboo plants for the balcony, deck, patio or porch needs careful planning.
We cannot stress enough to plant the bamboo in pots and containers, whether it is running or clumping bamboo. This is the best way to contain the bamboo plants from spreading to other spaces.
If you are going to grow a new bamboo purchase, bamboo cuttings, here are two articles to help you:
Why Bamboo Privacy Screen for Balcony, Deck, Patio and Porch?
Bamboo plants are fast-growing and can produce the evergreen dense privacy screen in 2 to 3 years.
The bamboo plants are tolerant to pests and variable weather conditions.
Some bamboo plants are extremely hardy and can withstand very low temperatures in Winter.
One reason why bamboo plants are ideal for small outdoor spaces is that they are undemanding plants. They thrive in small, confined spaces with well-drained soil and good moisture.
Also, you do not need to replace the bamboo plants or re-potting them unless they outgrow the pots after 5 - 10 years.
The balcony, deck, patio or porch screening plants will need fertiliser feed or a plant grower, at least, once a year.
So, give them a feed ideally early in Spring - just before the new plant shoots grow. This will give you lush greenery and a formidable privacy screen for many years.
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
1. Q. I want to grow bamboo, but they are invasive. What should I do?
A. Many homeowners and gardeners are worried that bamboos are invasive. There are two varieties of bamboo plants. The running bamboos are invasive whereas the clumping bamboos are not invasive.
In addition, you can use bamboo root barriers or pots and still enjoy all the benefits of growing bamboo either in the garden or in pots.
This is often the case due to neglect or when someone inherits bamboo from a previous owner.
Perhaps it is important to note that bamboo plants are great pot plants, undemanding and providing the best natural covers.
But to keep them in good shape, they’ll need attention.
2. Q. How can I grow bamboo plants from cuttings?
A. Generally, though bamboo plants are undemanding, they will require your attention especially when grown in pots.
So, prepare the pots and soil prior to growing the new plants.
A large pot is necessary for bamboo as they are large plants. As they grow up and outwards, they’ll also expand at the bottom. So, a large pot or planter is ideal for growing them.
Use well-drained and moist soil. All the bamboo plants we feature on GardenBambooPlants.com require well-drained and moist soil to grow well. Here is a detailed article on the best soil for growing bamboo and how to make it.
3. Q. When is the right time to grow bamboo plants?
A. The best time to plant bamboo is early in Spring, or around March.
These are ideal times because the new shoots will be prominent.
Importantly, the new bamboo plants in the pots will require attention.
Keep a watch when they put out the new shoots so that the slugs do not destroy them.
4. Q How many bamboo cultivars to grow in the UK?
A. We feature over 70 bamboo plants.
Most of the running and clumping bamboos thrive in the UK conditions.
You can find out more about them by following the three navigation on this website.
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 bamboos as an invasive species.
7. Q Can bamboo grow in pots and containers?
A. You can grow both Running and Clumping bamboo 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 bamboos 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 for pruning 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.
Bamboo plants for sale UK
Here are reliable UK retailers that sell bamboo plants and get them delivered to you.
The red bamboo plants are a stunning addition to the garden.
They are also ideal pot plants.
The redness in new shoots and culms and change of colourations make these bamboos a standout.
Should you grow yellow cane bamboo plants in pots?
Bamboos are evergreen and long-lasting. Best to grow in sites where they’ll provide a permanent cover such as in the garden or along the boundary or as hedges and privacy screens.
The yellow cane bamboos are fantastic pot plants.
Though these plants do not flower regularly, the golden yellow canes are naturally beautiful.
Below, is a list of 5 golden yellow cane bamboos and the benefits of growing these bamboos in pots.
Benefits of growing bamboos in pots
Movable: Most bamboos in pots are not easy to move because they are large and heavy plants. The Phyllostachys yellow bamboos (see below) will require additional help or tool to move them around, like this Hand Truck from B&Q. However, the great thing about growing bamboo in pots is that you CAN actually move and adjust the pots to your heart’s desire with a bit of help.
Maintainable: Bamboo are undemanding plants. You can prune the number of culms and greenery you want on the potted bamboos, and they’ll keep producing new shoots year on year. That is why they are great privacy plants.
Protection: Bamboo plants are hardy and can withstand cold and frosts. Though they are generally tolerant to insects and bugs, the new shoots are susceptible to slug attacks. So, growing them in pots and elevating them above the ground is the best protection.
Root barriers: The running bamboos are invasive, especially the golden Chinese timber bamboo, Yellow Bamboo Vivax and other bamboos listed below. Pots provide the barrier and stop them from invading other spaces.
Indoor and patio plants: Bamboos in pots can be used as natural screens for balconies, patios, porches, and verandas. They also provide a calm and relaxing atmosphere for the outdoor sitting areas and are good conversation starters when friends and family visit you.
What yellow cane bamboo plants can grow in pots?
There are several yellow bamboo plants from the families of running and clumping bamboo you can find on GardenBambooPlants.com.
This list is in fact a fine collection of the golden yellow cane bamboo plants, not only popular in the UK but preferred by many homeowners and gardeners.
Click on the links to find out about growth requirements.
Bamboo plants are great shade plants. They are also undemanding, shade and drought tolerant. Some varieties are invasive whereas the others are non-invasive.
The new bamboo in pot and container planters will need the right amount of water and attention in Spring as the roots start to develop.
Pay extra attention when planting the bamboo cuttings in late Spring or early Summer as they will need water every other day to support the new growths.
Mulching is highly recommended at this stage too, as it will help to retain moisture in the soil or in the pots and containers.
For the older bamboo plants, you will have to add NPK fertilisers, fresh organic mulch and water to keep them happy.
The best way to check for moisture in the soil is to dig out a layer of soil to a depth of 5cm. It is an effective way to inspect the soil for moisture content.
The soil in the pots and containers should be nice and moist, not too dry or too wet.
If it gets too cold in Winter, move the plant into a sheltered area like the garage, patio or veranda to keep them warm and safe from the chill and wind.
Add more mulch or grass cutting to provide the added layer and heat.
Growing bamboo in pot and container planter boxes for privacy screening might seem like hard work, but frankly, it's not.
These stunning plants, like other privacy and hedging plants, will need just the right attention to thrive in contained spaces.
The bamboo plants require watering, feeding and mulching. They’ll also demand separation and repotting.
Generally, bamboo plants will thrive in container planters for 5 – 10 years. All the while, producing the evergreen foliage and providing natural privacy screens.
There are many kinds of bamboo plants. Some prefer shade whereas others part-shade and sun. To answer the question Does Bamboo Grow in Shade?
We list 6 bamboos that can grow in shade: 3 are running bamboos whereas the other 3 are clumping.
Follow the links to find out more about the growth requirements and special features of each bamboo in our database.
Six bamboos to grow in shaded sites
There are many bamboos that also prefer shaded sites or undercovers. They range in size and colour.
Let’s take a look at the 6 bamboos you can grow in the shaded sites.
1) Phyllostachys Nuda Bamboo Features
2) Fishpole Bamboo Phyllostachys aurea
3) Phyllostachys Humilis Scottish Bamboo Plants
4) Fargesia papyrifera Blue Dragon
5) Fargesia nitida Pillar fountain bamboo
6) Fargesia murielae Simba Umbrella Bamboo
Bamboo plants for shade and part-shade
The 6 bamboos will tolerate densely shaded sites. For example, under trees and wall covers or planted as pot plants for indoor areas.
At gardenbambooplants.com, we list nearly 100 bamboos that grow well in the UK.
This list is growing as we add more bamboo plants that thrive in the UK to it.
Many home and garden retailers in the UK sell these 6 bamboo plants.
We recommend checking the renowned UK retailers listed herefor your bamboo plants and supplies.
Can you grow bamboo plants in shade - here are 6 bamboo plants that you can grow in shade.
What running bamboos grow in shade?
The running bamboos are an invasive variety because they have running rhizomes that spread along the ground. It is important to use a root barrier before growing them.
Warning: The running bamboo plants are invasive.
Alternatively, grow them in pots to stop the bamboo from spreading in the garden
Always use a bamboo barrier or large heavy-duty pots to grow them.
Can bamboo grow in shade?
Bamboo can grow in shade. The bamboos listed above are some that you can grow in shaded areas or under covers.
One of the peculiar things about bamboo plants is that there are many varieties. Some are running, and others are clumping.
From the 6 bamboo plants that you can grow in shade, we put them into running and clumping to make it easy to find what you want.
What clumping bamboos grow in shade?
The clumping bamboos have rhizomes that tend to form clump clusters. That means that they do not spread, instead, the clumpers will expand around the base in time.
There is no need to worry about spreading, but you may have to prune or thin out the culms to keep them in shape.
Less hardy in winter due to thin leaves and culms.
What to do to address the ‘negatives’?
As mentioned, bamboos are tolerant plants, they can grow in shaded areas.
Apart from the need for sunlight, other factors can exacerbate the problems of growing bamboo in the shade.
For your plants to do well in shade, ensure that the soil is nutrient-rich and well aerated. Prune and thin the old culms. Add mulch to conserve moisture and improve soil aeration.
Where necessary, add the NPK fertilisers or any slow-release fertilisers rich in nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus.
The dense evergreen foliage of clump-forming bamboo plants provides the best natural privacy screens for homes and gardens in the UK.
The Fargesias, especially the Umbrella Bamboo, are fantastic screening plants.
They come in large heavy pots. But, you can get them in smaller pots that are easily delivered to you. Also, it is important to pick the right bamboo for the privacy screen.
The medium to large bamboo is best for screening or partitioning sections of gardens.
Here are two that are better suited for privacy screens.
Seabreeze bamboo Bambusa Malingensis:
The Seabreeze Bamboo (Bambusa Malingensis) is medium-large sized and is the popular bamboo for privacy fences and screens.
Seabreeze bamboos are effective screens because they have lots of secondary branches with thick foliage from bottom to top.
Slender-clump bamboo Textilis Gracilis:
Also called Bambusa Textilis Gracilis, it is the best bamboo plant for hedges and privacy screening.
This bamboo is popular fence screening bamboo or hedging bamboo plants.
YouGarden UK has a great collection of medium to large bamboos. Check out the Running and Clumping bamboos for sale in the UK.
Buy clumping bamboo in pots
Clump-forming bamboo plants grow slowly and do not spread quickly like running bamboo.
That's because the clumping bamboo roots are confined to the base of the plant, forming a clump. Hence, they are called the 'clump-forming' bamboo plants.
You can buy clumping bamboo in pots online or at your local garden centre.
Here are the best clump-forming bamboo plants for screening.
Umbrella bamboo Simba:
TheFargesia murielae Simba is a tough and small bamboo plant. 'Simba' is an ornamental clump-forming bamboo that is best for smaller gardens, pots and containers.
It has a distinct dark green culm (stem) with red overlays.
Winter joy is hardy, evergreen and non-invasive. Best for growing in the garden, or in pots and containers.
At GBP blog, we list over 20 clumping bamboo plants, check out the archive here.
Tall bamboo screen for pots and gardens
Some varieties of Clump-forming bamboo plants are ideal for creating a beautiful centrepiece in your garden, the rhizomes (roots) grow in compact non-invasive clusters around the parent plant.
There are as many as 10,000 varieties and 1,700 varieties growing in the UK.
According to our research, bamboo plants with black and yellow stems are popular screens in the UK.
Black Bamboo UK:
The black stemmed Phyllostachys nigra is a much sought-after feature of bamboo plants in many UK gardens. This bamboo is a beauty.
Yellow Bamboo UK:
Phyllostachys vivax Aureocaulis is an attractive tall plant. Its spectacular yellow stripe against the green bamboo cane makes it stands out anywhere in the garden, ideal for tall privacy screens.
It is an absolute show-stopper.
Always use a root barrier when growing running bamboo in the garden, so that it does not invade other spaces.
Also, grow the Phyllostachys bamboos in big garden pots before and put them on the patio or in the garden.
There are three common ways to propagate bamboo plants – using the seeds, rhizome cuttings and culm cuttings. Find out how to plant bamboo seeds and transplant them successfully.
Materials for planting bamboo seeds
The two important factors you should pay attention to when propagating bamboo seeds are temperature and soil moisture.
As a rule of thumb, temperatures between 25 and 30 degrees Celsius and high moisture content are ideal for bamboo seeds to germinate.
A 50/50 organic compost.
4cm - 6cm growing pots or trays.
Bowls for soaking the seeds.
Rainwater or distilled water.
Propagator (or well-insulated greenhouse) to keep the temperature constant at 25 – 30 degrees Celsius
Buy bamboo seeds online
Bamboo plants flower occasionally and therefore seeds are hard to find. Yet, you can buy the seeds either online or from reputable nurseries in the UK.
We found three online sellers that are based in the UK and do free deliveries. Here is their link on Amazon.
Plant bamboo seeds indoor
Important: To grow bamboo from seed, soak the seeds in a bowl of water for about 24 hours to promote root development. Distilled water is ideal for soaking bamboo seeds. Avoid using treated water.
Keep the temperatures at the standard room temperature to promote germination.
Step 1 Soak seeds:
Firstly, soak the bamboo seed in a bowl of water for 20 - 24 hours. The water should not be too hot or too cold.
Hot temperatures will destroy the bamboo seeds. Cooler temperatures are likely to delay the seeds from germinating, 22 – 25 degrees Celsius are ideal for soaking bamboo seeds.
Step 2 Prepare compost and potting seeds:
Prepare the compost in a pot or tray, space the seeds out at 1 - 2cm intervals and sprinkle a fine layer of compost on the top.
Step 3 Control temperature and moisture:
Use a seed propagator if you have one. Alternatively, use a clear plastic bag big enough to cover the pot.
Seeds germinate well where it is not too hot or too cool. Maintain the germinating temperature of 22 – 26 degrees Celsius.
Step 4Potted seeds storage site:
Place your newly potted seeds where there is a medium shade, away from direct sunlight. Check the potted seeds daily.
You should see the first sign of sprouting after 10 – 15 days.
Step 5 Seeds care:
It can take up to 30 days for all the seeds to germinate, and some seeds may take longer. Check that the leaves are green and healthy, and the soil remains moist.
Elevate the clear plastic cover, of the lid if you are using a propagator so that the leaves do not touch the sides of the covers.
Put the seeds indoors or greenhouse and maintain the soil moisture content as well as the temperature so that it is not too cold or too hot but at the standard room temperature of 22 – 25 degrees Celsius.
After they’ve germinated, it is time to transplant them into mini grow pots.
Always use plastic pots. The ceramic pots retain heat and are not ideal for germinating seeds.
From seeds to germinating and transplanting bamboo plants, they’ll need water even in Winter. They’ll also need mulch and a lot of attention.
Bamboo seeds carry the nutrients they need to germinate. Yet, grow them in well-drained, nutrient-rich soil.
The best soil for growing bamboo seeds is an all-purpose compose.
How long does it take bamboo seeds to grow?
New shoots and roots will appear after 20-30 days after planting.
This is the best part of growing bamboo from seeds, it shows that the bamboo roots and rhizomes, and culms are establishing themselves in the propagator.
Start potting the early bamboo sprouts into larger pots where they'll grow for the next 12 months.
This will give the seeds that remained dormant in the propagator a chance to germinate.
Note: It can take as long as 5 years to grow bamboo from seeds to planting in pots and in the garden.
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.
How to grow evergreen shade plants – pots or garden?
Some shade-loving plants like the bamboo plants will thrive in pots and in the garden.
However, not all the shrubs that grow well in shade will thrive in pots.
The flowering shrubs have taproots that grow deep into the soil. This means that they do not like to be contained within pots and containers.
Unless, of course, they grow in large planters and containers where there is plenty of rooting space.
Evergreen plants for shade like bamboos
To put this article in perspective, here are some uses of the 5 shade-loving plants and suggestions for growing them.
The shade-loving shrubs, unfortunately, will not do well in pots. They have taproots and like to root freely.
They will not do well in contained spaces like the pot, planters and containers.
If you want to grow a plant in a pot and put it in a deeply shaded area, bamboo is a fantastic option.
Shaded hedge plants
There are many hedge plants, some are deciduous whereas others are evergreen like the 5 plants featured in this article.
The 3 best plants for hedging a shaded area are:
Bamboo,
Viburnum tinus and
Ceanothus.
Hardy plants/shrubs for shade
Most evergreen plants are hardy, which means that they can tolerate frost and ice during the winter.
The 5 hardiest evergreen plants are:
Bamboo,
Sarcococca,
Buddleia,
Viburnum tinus and
Ceanothus.
Note that some buddleia cultivars are semi-evergreen or deciduous.
Check the plant description carefully when buying online or in-store.
Best garden plants for ground cover plants
The evergreen shrubs may not be the best ground cover, but they will require pruning to keep them in shape. These shrubs are beautiful ground covers when they are in full bloom.
The small Chinese Dwarf bamboos and variegated bamboos are best for evergreen ground covers.
You can mix and match them to great effect.
The 5 shade-loving plants in this article thrive under the covers of trees and buildings, where other plants tend to struggle to grow.
They are also fantastic ground covers.
You can buy these plants online from YouGardenor Crocus.
Shade-loving evergreen hedging plants
In addition to the 5 shade-loving plants for pots and gardens listed in this article, here are the top 6 hedging plants that thrive in shade.
They have tightly packed leaves that last all year round.
The groundcover, shade-login plants mentioned in this article, bamboo is the only grass variety among the fast-growing evergreen hedging plant.
Also, the beech tree is deciduous.
Read more about the 6 common hedging plants we covered in an earlier article here.
The 5 evergreen shade-loving plants for pots and gardens are Bamboo, Sarcococca, Buddleia, Viburnum tinus and Ceanothus.
Bamboo is well-known for being the fastest growing plant. And, the shrubs are popular for their scented flowers and contrasting colours, best for attracting bees and butterflies.
We hope this article gives you some ideas about the evergreen plants for shade. Check out our website (GardenBambooPlants.Com) for more information in the common bamboo plants that grow in the in UK.
