Watch the video below as Alastair Carden, Head Gardner at Hylands Park Estate, tells us all why he loves Bamboo, and why there is a Bamboo for every occasion! (video full run time 2 minuets 30 seconds).

You can also read on below for an introduction into the world of Bamboo. (For those who want to keep track the number of times bamboo may be mentioned in this article is over 30)

What is Bamboo anyway?

Bamboo’s Genus (technical name) is ‘Phyllostachys’, there are over a 50 species of bamboo and over a thousand varieties!

  • bamboo is a flowering grass (technically known as belonging to the ‘Poaceae’ botanical family)
  • it originates from East Asia
  • tends to be evergreen, meaning its leaves are generally present and green all year round
  • tends to be perennial, meaning the plant continues year after year
  • its stems are generally hollow and woody in nature

Is Bamboo good or is Bamboo bad?

Whether your a fan or a hater, here we explore some of bamboo’s qualities.

Known as being one of the fastest growing plants on the planet, bamboo is generally a hardy plant with typically strong hollow stems. Its structural strength together with its speedy growth makes bamboo a great versatile renewable material.  It’s uses include construction material, garden screening,  and use as an architectural artistic feature, as well as uses as a material for plates and cutlery and even as a clothing, not to mention some varieties are edible!

A strong association with the loveable Panda and influence of East Asia garden styles, its easy to see why UK gardeners are tempted by the lure of bamboo. However, following its introduction into gardens bamboo has also got its-self a reputation for being a bit of a thug plant. Running and popping up all over the place if left unchecked and spreading into neighbouring gardens!  So if your thinking of getting bamboo make sure you check the characteristics of your preferred bamboo before planting.

Most bamboos have a spreading quality, but some spread faster than others becoming invasive. These are typically known as ‘running’ bamboo where the roots spread quickly, like an underground horizontal stem (Rhizome/s), and new shoots rapidly make their way to the surface.  A ‘clumping’ bamboo also spreads, but normally at a slower pace, so they can be easier to maintain and contained.

Groups of Bamboo

Bamboo in focus

There are over a thousand types of bamboo, with a fraction of these bamboos now found growing in the UK, and a select few are found carefully growing at Hylands Parks in the Pleasure Gardens. Today we are focusing on just two of those varieties; Phyllostachys nigra and Phyllostachys vivax f. aureocaulis, which are also featured in Alastair’s video at the top of this page.

Phyllostachys nigra (Black Bamboo) –  (seen in image 1 above and left of image 2)

Graceful, curving and tall, Phyllostachys nigra is named after is famed almost black stems. It is one of the larger and fast growing bamboos. After 5 to 10 years it could reach around 4 meters high with an approximate spread of 4 meters wide.

Its has a clump forming tendency,  making it less invasive than other bamboos, but if not maintained it can still spread vigorously, particularly in warm moist conditions. This bamboo looks great in large pot or few, or striking in larger cultivated garden. Once mature you can reveal its striking stems by removing lower leaves.

Phyllostachys vivax f. aureocaulis  (Golden Chinese timber bamboo) – (seen in image 3 above)

This tall, large cane variety, with mature canes of around 3-4 cm diameter, normally grows to around 8-12 meters, but some have reached around 20 meters tall!  This is one for a large garden and maybe its very own gardening team. A control barrier and regular maintenance is a must for this bamboo. As part of its name might suggest this timber bamboo is one of the more versatile bamboos which can be used in construction.

Maintain and Control

As a general rule, bamboo should be contained and regularly maintained. This could mean containing in a planter or with help of a non-perishable root control barrier. A trench can be dug, at least once a year, around the plant/barrier to ensure removal of rouge rhizomes (root-stems). The depth of the trench may depend on the type of bamboo and condition of any root control barrier.   The trench can then be loosely filled back in ready for its next check up.

More resources:

For further information on controlling bamboo could visit the Royal Horticultural Society’s (RHS) website: Bamboo control / RHS Gardening