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Bamboo
Luke Munro
Posts: 6
in Plants
I want to create a tall screen from my neighbours and want to put a bamboo in. what is the best variety to put in that doesn't shoot up everywhere in the garden. Anyone help??
0
Posts
If you are determined to go with bamboo I would suggest you take steps to control the root spread before you plant it.
Have a look at the final program of Monty Dons series on I Player as he mentions which one to grow that won't spread.
Have you considered shrubs such as buddleia & sambucus - fast growing for screening but can be pruned really hard each year to shape & control them (mine reach 2.5 m each summer from a spring prune down to abt 0.5m) or trellis / climbers?
I have used willow instead of bamboo, it is a very fast grower but doesn't spread so much and easier to control. One stem roots in water in about a week so propagation is easy if you need to cut it back
had bamboo before and it has to be planted in concrete!
A A Milne
Hi Lily - I like willow a lot but I wouldn't put it anywhere near water pipes or drains - it is one of the worst for seeking out water with it's roots.
If Luke wants to plant fairly near to his (or any neighbour's) house he would need to know where the service pipes run before planting
Completely right Topbird, totally forgot, lethal with pipes etc
sorry
A A Milne
Dont be put off bamboo, just get the right one for the location, considering the space you have and the height you want. I have 6 different ones, and would like more, but i went to see a specialist grower and looked at them in his garden to choose. I have willow too.
Wow! Bamboo has been getting a Bad name! i must of missed the story about that evil Burka wearing Pseudosasa bamboo enforcing sharia law wherever it grew! Thank god I don't read the daily Mail! Just use common sense and research a bit about the bamboo you need. I grow Fargesia bamboo as a hedge boundary which are perfectly well behaved, clump forming and can trim them like a hedge.