Thinking of Purchasing a Bamboo
Bamboo is a plant which has always fascinated the human eye.
Many believe that the reasons why bamboo is so attractive to man were
due to the great number of ways it can be used: for construction; for
musical instruments; hosepipes, decoration, controlling soil erosion,
food... The tremendous diversity that bamboo offers us holds a number
of attractions for many. From an ornamental or botanical point of view.
My interest is always growing with regard to the many discoveries that
this grass generates.
We believe our culture is limited with respect to bamboo, and this in turn inspires some of us to go on developing their knowledge. Whether it be running or clumping, dwarf or giant bamboo, one lifetime almost seems too short for the never ending source of information coming from more than 75 genera (more than a 1000 species and varieties!).
Bamboo belongs to the grass family, just as maize, wheat or most of the types of lawn that we know. As a result, the main stalk is called the culm. Within the same family, the plants are classified according to their type, species and variety... depending on the organization of their flowers.
However, most bamboos rarely flower, which makes them difficult to identify for botanists. Consequently, a lot of bamboos have different names, some of which have changed along with time.
Essential for todays garden be it traditional, contemporary or exotic, bamboo can create many different effects to the landscape with their diversity of shape colour and form. And being evergreen, it will brighten any location even in winter.
Bamboo requirements are essentially to be kept moist (even watering in winter) and to feed over the growing season (our osmocote fertilizer). Bamboo in containers can be particularly effective and the requirements are identical to those above as if in the ground. A little more water and feed may be required however.
Contrary to popular opinion, most bamboos are not invasive and the majority of those featured at Tubs and Shrubs are particularly well behaved. They will not invade your (or your neighbour's) garden.
In spring and throughout the year new canes will appear growing an inch if not more a day doubling the size of the plant in just a few weeks. Thus it is not necessary to buy a huge plant: what is below the soil is often more important than what's above it.
Nearly all the bamboos featured at Tubs and Shrubs are exceptionally hardy and perfect for the UK climate. Plants are usually sold by the pot size, in litres. Apparent anomalies in the price are simply caused by bigger plants in smaller pots.
Phyllostachys nigra from China, is our best selling Bamboo. The now famous black caned bamboo. Grows to 4-6m, and is clump forming withstanding -18c. Prized as a highly ornamental species in China and Japan, and now in the West. New growth is green, turning black in its second year. Excellent as a potted specimen, isolated clump and screening. It will need feeding each spring and water well in summer months.
Pests & diseases
Whitefly can attack bamboo if kept in a conservatory/glasshouse in spring and summertime and possibly outside in June/July. They will congregate on the underside of the leaf, so be vigilant in seeking them out. However, they are selective about which bamboo they attack, the varieties being select Phyllostachys (mainly bambusoides family), Pseudosasa and Pleioblastus. Treat with a systemic insecticide.
Bamboo in containers
The best formula for potted specimens:50/50 mix of peat-based compost and loam-based (John Innes no.2,3), the appropriate amount of slow release fertilizer (for example Osmocote), 25% sand or grit. Bamboos are vigorous growers, so to maintain healthy growth remember to add more fertilizer when the first application has been used up. Add top dressing at intervals until the bamboo finally needs repotting. When the bamboo has filled the pot, either repot into a larger container or divide the bamboo, replanting a piece of younger growth as the new plant in the original container. Mulch around the base of the plant for winter with ornamental bark or gravel.
Screening
The best choice for screening! With its fast growth habit (fastest in the vegetable kingdom) and an array of shape, form and colour, bamboo cannot be beaten for screening and hedging. Widely used in its homelands of Japan and China, bamboo is also an excellent windbreak. The wind passing through is compared by the Japanese to breathing as it makes a relaxing, rustling sound. Bamboo screening also has excellent sound-deadening properties, especially effective where traffic noise is concerned. Recommended species for screening are any Phyllostachys species or any Semiarundinaria species. See individual plant descriptions for further information.
Planting
Soil preparation before hand: clear weeds and loosen soil. Incorporate some humus if soil is particularly bad. Otherwise, just plant the bamboo and add humus or fertilizer as a top-dressing. Plant the top of the bamboo root ball level with the soil surface. Tread down the soil and root ball for stability. Make sure bamboo is well watered during its first season.
Positioning
Bamboos are extremely versatile and will perform well as an isolated specimen, hedging or in shady locations. A few species can grow indoors but most need to be planted outside to thrive.
Aftercare
Maintenance in the following years: cut out dead or dying canes and dig up any unwanted spread. Top dress two or three times over the growing season with humus or strong fertilizer (such as Osmocote). This is required to maintain healthy green foliage and strong new growth. Best applied mid to late summer.
Flowering
From time to time, varying over decades or even a century, a bamboo species can flower. When flowering, the plant will use so much energy that it can no longer continue growth afterwards (its energy spent on producing seed rather than leaves). Some species suffer a little and carry on, some unfortunately may die but grow again from germinated seeds. Because in the past flowering records were not kept, flowering is still totally unpredictable. Therefore, we cannot give a guarantee on any bamboo. We, of course, will not be selling any bamboo that look like it is in a flowering state.
Tubs and Shrubs
Next to Red Lion
In village Centre
West Boldon
0191 519 3363
Bamboo is a plant which has always fascinated the human eye.
We believe our culture is limited with respect to bamboo, and this in turn inspires some of us to go on developing their knowledge. Whether it be running or clumping, dwarf or giant bamboo, one lifetime almost seems too short for the never ending source of information coming from more than 75 genera (more than a 1000 species and varieties!).
Bamboo belongs to the grass family, just as maize, wheat or most of the types of lawn that we know. As a result, the main stalk is called the culm. Within the same family, the plants are classified according to their type, species and variety... depending on the organization of their flowers.
However, most bamboos rarely flower, which makes them difficult to identify for botanists. Consequently, a lot of bamboos have different names, some of which have changed along with time.
Essential for todays garden be it traditional, contemporary or exotic, bamboo can create many different effects to the landscape with their diversity of shape colour and form. And being evergreen, it will brighten any location even in winter.
Bamboo requirements are essentially to be kept moist (even watering in winter) and to feed over the growing season (our osmocote fertilizer). Bamboo in containers can be particularly effective and the requirements are identical to those above as if in the ground. A little more water and feed may be required however.
Contrary to popular opinion, most bamboos are not invasive and the majority of those featured at Tubs and Shrubs are particularly well behaved. They will not invade your (or your neighbour's) garden.
In spring and throughout the year new canes will appear growing an inch if not more a day doubling the size of the plant in just a few weeks. Thus it is not necessary to buy a huge plant: what is below the soil is often more important than what's above it.
Nearly all the bamboos featured at Tubs and Shrubs are exceptionally hardy and perfect for the UK climate. Plants are usually sold by the pot size, in litres. Apparent anomalies in the price are simply caused by bigger plants in smaller pots.
Phyllostachys nigra from China, is our best selling Bamboo. The now famous black caned bamboo. Grows to 4-6m, and is clump forming withstanding -18c. Prized as a highly ornamental species in China and Japan, and now in the West. New growth is green, turning black in its second year. Excellent as a potted specimen, isolated clump and screening. It will need feeding each spring and water well in summer months.
Pests & diseases
Whitefly can attack bamboo if kept in a conservatory/glasshouse in spring and summertime and possibly outside in June/July. They will congregate on the underside of the leaf, so be vigilant in seeking them out. However, they are selective about which bamboo they attack, the varieties being select Phyllostachys (mainly bambusoides family), Pseudosasa and Pleioblastus. Treat with a systemic insecticide.
Bamboo in containers
The best formula for potted specimens:50/50 mix of peat-based compost and loam-based (John Innes no.2,3), the appropriate amount of slow release fertilizer (for example Osmocote), 25% sand or grit. Bamboos are vigorous growers, so to maintain healthy growth remember to add more fertilizer when the first application has been used up. Add top dressing at intervals until the bamboo finally needs repotting. When the bamboo has filled the pot, either repot into a larger container or divide the bamboo, replanting a piece of younger growth as the new plant in the original container. Mulch around the base of the plant for winter with ornamental bark or gravel.
Screening
The best choice for screening! With its fast growth habit (fastest in the vegetable kingdom) and an array of shape, form and colour, bamboo cannot be beaten for screening and hedging. Widely used in its homelands of Japan and China, bamboo is also an excellent windbreak. The wind passing through is compared by the Japanese to breathing as it makes a relaxing, rustling sound. Bamboo screening also has excellent sound-deadening properties, especially effective where traffic noise is concerned. Recommended species for screening are any Phyllostachys species or any Semiarundinaria species. See individual plant descriptions for further information.
Planting
Soil preparation before hand: clear weeds and loosen soil. Incorporate some humus if soil is particularly bad. Otherwise, just plant the bamboo and add humus or fertilizer as a top-dressing. Plant the top of the bamboo root ball level with the soil surface. Tread down the soil and root ball for stability. Make sure bamboo is well watered during its first season.
Positioning
Bamboos are extremely versatile and will perform well as an isolated specimen, hedging or in shady locations. A few species can grow indoors but most need to be planted outside to thrive.
Aftercare
Maintenance in the following years: cut out dead or dying canes and dig up any unwanted spread. Top dress two or three times over the growing season with humus or strong fertilizer (such as Osmocote). This is required to maintain healthy green foliage and strong new growth. Best applied mid to late summer.
Flowering
From time to time, varying over decades or even a century, a bamboo species can flower. When flowering, the plant will use so much energy that it can no longer continue growth afterwards (its energy spent on producing seed rather than leaves). Some species suffer a little and carry on, some unfortunately may die but grow again from germinated seeds. Because in the past flowering records were not kept, flowering is still totally unpredictable. Therefore, we cannot give a guarantee on any bamboo. We, of course, will not be selling any bamboo that look like it is in a flowering state.
Tubs and Shrubs
Next to Red Lion
In village Centre
West Boldon
0191 519 3363
07802 232 622
