7 bamboos for shade

The Chimonobambusa quadrangularis is a collection bamboo with a distinctive appearance. It is distinguished by its square-section culms and its large evergreen, glossy foliage, trailing in cascades. Originating from China and Taiwan, it is semi-hardy, resistant to short frosts of around -15°C in dry soil. This bamboo, slightly running, is suitable for both in the ground and in pots, ideal for zen, exotic or contemporary gardens. Its narrow, upright habit is adorned with long pale-green leaves, grouped into tight upright clusters.

Its culms turning from black to green and then to brown over time can reach 3 to 5 metres in height depending on growing conditions. Its shoots only develop in late summer or autumn, making them susceptible to frost. Young shoots are edible once boiled. It looks very striking when grown in isolation, but pairs well with Japanese maples, as well as with other bamboos for a tropical effect. Give it a sheltered, cool and shaded position. Avoid planting it in full sun, in soils that are too dry or in strong winds.

Fargesia denudata ‘Lancaster 1’ is a non-spreading bamboo with the appearance of a miniature weeping willow. It is easy to grow and cold-hardy. With its bluish-green foliage and cherry-red young shoots, it offers dense, screening foliage, ideal as a standalone clump, a small hedge, or a privacy screen on a balcony.

Originating in China, this sturdy bamboo grows slowly and maintains a dense clump without thinning at the centre. It tolerates temperatures down to -22°C and adapts to a variety of soils and exposures, but thrives in shade or partial shade. It reaches about 3 metres high and wide. This bamboo suits many garden styles, including Asian, contemporary or exotic. Planted in mass, it can form a windbreak or obscure a neighbour’s view for added privacy. Despite its modest size, it is also an excellent specimen for standalone planting, as it is highly decorative. Easy to pair with other evergreen shrubs like Sarcococca or tropical plants such as Fatsia japonica, it is also suitable for container cultivation on patios or balconies.

The Sasa tsuboiana is a dwarf bamboo that is semi-evergreen and bushy, characterised by its large dark-green leaves. Adapted to temperate climates and native to Japan, this compact and densely ramified bamboo reaches 1 to 2 metres tall, with pale green culms lightly tinged with purple. Its semi-evergreen, glossy, dark-green foliage measures 15 to 28 cm long. In winter, the leaves tend to dry along the edges, giving a variegated appearance. In spring, new leaves appear, restoring the bamboo’s lush appearance.

Easy to grow and undemanding, the Sasa tsuboiana forms a rounded, dense clump. It suits shaded or sun-exposed areas that are not scorching, and can be used as a hedge, as a specimen, in woodland, or as groundcover. It pairs well with the heavenly bamboo or the spindle tree. Adapted to cultivation in large containers or planters, it is also an excellent choice for terraces and balconies, bringing an exotic touch to small spaces.

The Fargesia sp. ‘Jiuzhaigou Deep Purple’, discovered in China at high altitude, is a remarkable non-running bamboo for its dark violet culms and upright habit. Of modest size, it reaches 2 to 3 metres in height and is distinguished by its small dark green evergreen leaves. This bamboo, ideal for partial shade or shade, grows quickly in height while remaining compact.

Considered by some as a subspecies of the Fargesia nitida, it forms part of a collection of varieties collected from Jiuzhaigou Mountain in China. Hardy to -25°C, it forms a dense clump and spreads over about 2 metres of ground. Its slender culms take on an intense red-violet colour with time. ‘Deep Purple’ is perfect as a standalone clump, in a large pot or tub on a balcony or terrace. It blends well into shrub borders with hydrangeas or Mahonia. A pairing with red-flowered clematis can enliven its foliage in summer and provide a striking contrast.