Will Bamboo Grow In North Facing Garden?

One of the most anticipated areas of the home is the garden. If your yard faces north, you might wonder if bamboo can thrive there. We're also curious about this, so we've done our research to bring you an answer.

Gardens facing north receive very little direct sunlight for much of the day because the house blocks the sunlight. This is not an issue, as bamboo can grow in the shade.

However, other factors will still affect the growth of bamboo in these types of gardens, such as the climate, the soil, and the bamboo species.

When it comes to gardening, location and plants are very important. Continue reading to know more about how to flourish bamboo in a north-facing garden. We will also discuss the correct species of bamboo that is right for your garden's location. Let's get right into it!

Green and yellow bamboo trees with a snail after rain - Will Bamboo Grow In North Facing Garden

Bamboo In North-Facing Gardens

In addition to being aesthetically pleasing and attractive, bamboos have health benefits. They not only release oxygen but also remove toxic substances in the air.

Japanese garden with bamboos and stone lantern

Since it is well known that gardens facing north receive insufficient sunshine, the next inquiry is: Do bamboo grow well there?

Bamboo can grow well in a shady environment. Here are some other factors that may contribute to the growth of bamboo in north-facing gardens:

Climate

Climate has a large contribution to whether bamboo can flourish in your garden. For most bamboo species, warm temperatures and tropical places are ideal. In these circumstances, it can grow up to 3 inches daily, which is incredibly fast.

For places with colder climates, on the other hand, there are still other species that can thrive in this kind of weather. One choice is the cold hardy bamboo types.

Soil

Aside from sunlight and water, plants, including bamboo, need the right type of soil to flourish. The ideal type of soil to be used for bamboo are loamy, well-drained soil. Most bamboo species prefer a pH of 6.5 or slightly more acidic soil.

Bamboo Species

Choosing the correct species of bamboo for your garden is important. This is to avoid planting the incorrect species and later discovering it has withered.

Bamboo Species That Thrive In Shade

Young green stems and leaves of bamboo against the wall.

While most bamboo types can grow in the shade, they will not be as good as the one that receives plenty of sunlight. However, certain species that are successful in shaded areas. Here are some of them:

1. Fargesia Pingwu

Fargesia Pingwu

Although Fargesia Pingwu is known to resist the sun's heat, it can still live through shaded locations. This bamboo type is a cold-hardy bamboo. They are known as green screen umbrella bamboo because it quickly forms a hedge to the garden. 

2. Sasa Veitchii

Sasa Veitchii

Sasa Veitchii, often known as Kuma bamboo, is a dwarf kind of bamboo that can reach heights of up to three feet. However, if you plant them in deep shade, they can grow as tall as five feet

3. Pleioblastus Viridistriatus

Pleioblastus Viridistriatus

Pleioblastus viridistriatus, or dwarf greenstripe is a bamboo plant that can survive on shades. However, it will be best to put these types in sunny areas if you want to see their foliage colors in full bloom.

4. Phyllostachy Dulcis

Phyllostachy Dulcis

Like the dwarf greenstripe, this type of bamboo can also grow in full sun and in shaded locations. But they need fertilized soil if you plan to put them in dappled shade.

What Is The Difference Between Running Bamboo And Clumping Bamboo?

The clump of bamboo tree.

If you're wondering what to choose between a running bamboo and a clumping bamboo, you need to know their difference first. A clumping bamboo are bamboo types that spread very slowly. They are ideal for homeowners who wants a low maintenance bamboo in their garden because they are non-invasive. 

On the other hand, a running bamboo is the opposite of clumping bamboo. These type of bamboo grow rapidly. They are able to spread up to 15 feet in a season. They are perfect to use for privacy screens because of their fast growing pace. 

How To Plant Bamboo For Shade?

Bamboo not only adds aesthetics to your garden but can also provide shade to gardens that are exposed to sunlight. Here are some ways to plant bamboo for shade:

1. Choose Your Bamboo Species

Before planting bamboo for shade, make sure to choose the species of bamboo that are tall and leafy. Also, bamboo with large and wide leaves will help provide shade.

2. Plan The Location

Location is where important when it comes to planting for shade. Carefully place your bamboo where you want to put the garden chairs and tables.

Also, avoid placing the bamboo in shaded areas because doing so will contradict the objective of planting it.

3. Cultivate The Soil

Before planting, cultivate and turn the soil so the nutrients, like rhizomes inside the soil, will develop. This is what bamboo needs to flourish.

4. Proceed To Plant

You can now proceed to plant by digging a hole in the soil and putting the bamboo through it. Cover it with the dug soil afterward. If you're planning to plant more than one bamboo, consider giving enough space between bamboo to grow.

Click here to see this hole digger on Amazon.

5. Fertilize The Plant

One way for plants to flourish is to fertilize them. However, if the bamboo is planted for the first time, it is not necessary to fertilize it after planting. Instead, you can put fine mulch around the bamboo.

Click here to see this fertilizer on Amazon.

6. Water The Bamboo

After planting, water the bamboo immediately. Then twice weekly until the plants are established. 

Does Bamboo Need Sun?

Although other bamboo species love growing in the shade, some still need sunlight to survive. These kinds of bamboo require at least six hours of sunlight exposure to achieve their best growth. 

How Often Should You Water Bamboo?

All plants need water to survive and flourish, and bamboo is not an exemption.

Bamboo needs watering at least 3-4 times a week when you're living in a hotter location and at least once a week for places with colder locations. Remember that bamboo will flourish if given at least 3.6L of water a week.

How Do I Know If My Bamboo Needs Water?

Just like people, plants also give off signs that they need something. In the case of bamboo, if you notice that the leaves start to curl up into a V shape, then that means they lack water. You need to give water to your bamboo once its leaves begin to do this.

When To Fertilize Bamboo?

Bamboo doesn't need much fertilizer to grow. The recommended time to fertilize your bamboo is three time per growing season. However, you still need to consider the type of bamboo you have to know how much fertilizer they need to flourish.

Moreover, always check and follow the directions to use on the fertilizer's packaging for safety purposes.

What Is The Best Bamboo For Screening?

Bamboo leaves background (Bambusa gracilis)

Some homeowners plants bamboo for privacy purposes. The Bamboo Gracilis is one of the plants that works best for this use. Bamboo Gracilis is one of the best selling bamboo because they serves best for privacy screening which grow between two and eight meters in height.

Is Bamboo Edible?

Fresh harvest bamboo shoots in sackcloth bag ,Sliced bamboo shoots on burlap fabric on wooden table background

Bamboo has many purposes. From privacy screening to providing shade and even providing food to people. People can eat bamboo shoots provided that they are prepared and cleaned properly. They are rich in nutrients and are common ingredients for some dishes.

Fresh bamboo shoots can be prepared in a variety of delectable dishes. Even chips can be manufactured from them.

Click here to see this sliced bamboo shoot on Amazon.

Should I Cut Yellow Leaves Off Bamboo?

Leaves turning yellow are normal, especially when the bamboo is old. It is a natural aging process for them.

Remember, you need to cut or simply peel the old leaves so the new ones can grow. Also, remove all the withered leaves to prevent them from spreading throughout the plant.

How To Revive A Dying Bamboo Plant?

a dying bamboo tree with brown color with green and yellow bamboo trees after rain in Thailand

Bamboo plants are not an exemption from withering. You will notice several signs that your bamboo is falling to the brink, such as the leaves and stems turning yellow.

If you start to see these symptoms, you could begin to worry, but there are easy ways to revive them.

  1. Water is essential to humans as well as to plants to survive. Make sure that your bamboo receives a sufficient amount of water, whether it be from rain or tap water. Regularly watering the bamboo will help bring your bamboo back from the brink. 
  2. Although fertilizers are not as important to bamboo plants, fertilizing them when they are close to death will help them to recover.
  3. If you're providing your bamboo an adequate amount of water and fertilizer, but it is still withering, then you should check if the specie of bamboo you've planted is compatible with the location. Make sure that the species that prefer sunshine have enough of it and that the species that prefer shade are situated in places with shade.

Final Thoughts

One way to make your garden modern-looking and aesthetic is by planting bamboo on them. Remember that different types of bamboo are ideal for various locations. The answer is yes if you're wondering if bamboo can grow in a north-facing garden.

Some bamboo species love the sun, but there are still other bamboo species that can thrive and flourish in shaded locations.

If you find this article helpful, be sure to check out these other posts that may interest you:

53 Bamboo Garden Ideas That Will Inspire You

Does Clumping Bamboo Have Invasive Roots?

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