Planting, growing and maintaining bamboo
Discussion
We have moved into a new build and would like ti enhance privacy.
I have always liked the idea of using bamboo as an ornament but also natural screen.
Reading up a bit I know there are many varieties, that some can grow quite high. I am probably looking at something that would grow up to 4/5m in ideal conditions.
- anyone has experience of growing it in the UK?
- are there any legal restrictions as to how close I can get to the fence that’s separating us from the neighbours?
All experience welcome
I have always liked the idea of using bamboo as an ornament but also natural screen.
Reading up a bit I know there are many varieties, that some can grow quite high. I am probably looking at something that would grow up to 4/5m in ideal conditions.
- anyone has experience of growing it in the UK?
- are there any legal restrictions as to how close I can get to the fence that’s separating us from the neighbours?
All experience welcome
Grow it in pots. The rhizome will spread if not maintained. It's one of the not so positive legacies my dad left for us to deal with in my mum's garden. One minute attractive ornamental border, next minute bamboo forest infestation with pandas ready to pounce on you.
Why not tall bushes? They can be better maintained in that you just have to cut them regularly rather than needing to check they don't spread.
Why not tall bushes? They can be better maintained in that you just have to cut them regularly rather than needing to check they don't spread.
As above I would be super cautious with bamboo - generally with plants those which are vigorous enough to get to 4-5m arnt going to stop there and then can become a pain.
That being said if you are very keen on it then I would put it inside a root barrier and grow a clumping one - otherwise you will end up annoying your neighbours when it comes up their side of the fence.
If we roll back to the screening desire (which makes sense), some things to consider are pleached trees or large shrubs, looks architectural, or a small run of silver birch - you can get nice cultivars which don’t grow too much eg Trinity College. Amalanchier is also very popular because it doesn’t get too big. There are lots more along those lines
The other things you could do is create a structure and grow things up it eg roses, hydrangea etc
That being said if you are very keen on it then I would put it inside a root barrier and grow a clumping one - otherwise you will end up annoying your neighbours when it comes up their side of the fence.
If we roll back to the screening desire (which makes sense), some things to consider are pleached trees or large shrubs, looks architectural, or a small run of silver birch - you can get nice cultivars which don’t grow too much eg Trinity College. Amalanchier is also very popular because it doesn’t get too big. There are lots more along those lines
The other things you could do is create a structure and grow things up it eg roses, hydrangea etc
See my photo in this thread.
You'll need very big, stable pots, for the height you'd need for screening, which can cost silly money.
The box in my pic was cheap to make; something like that may be an option.
There are non (or at least less) invasive varieties.
You'll need very big, stable pots, for the height you'd need for screening, which can cost silly money.
The box in my pic was cheap to make; something like that may be an option.
There are non (or at least less) invasive varieties.
J B L said:
Thanks for all the replies.
I was indeed looking at clumping rather than spreading varieties
I’ll be looking at the other suggestIons too
Just because it's clumping doesn't make it non evasive. I was indeed looking at clumping rather than spreading varieties
I’ll be looking at the other suggestIons too
Instead of a screen why not plant some shrubs. You can let them grow, (as the magnolia grandiflora on the right) or prune as required.
It adds more interest.
ETA, clematis will quickly cover the fence whilst something else gets established. Pick different varieties, even some evergreen, to give you interest all yr round. Don't cheap out on supermarket jobbies, you'll want 2 yr+specimens if you want quick colour.
https://www.taylorsclematis.co.uk/?gclid=Cj0KCQjwt...
Edited by PositronicRay on Saturday 2nd May 11:49
We had bamboo in the garden when we bought the house. When we tired of it I did some research. Flood the garden for a day or two until it is like thin soup then carefully extract ALL evidence of bamboo without breaking it. What a PITA. It works though. If having a garden that resembles soup would be inconvenient, don't plant bamboo.
I’ve got one area of clumping bamboo (spread of about 10 feet at the top where they sway) and it’s maintain a tight clump of no more than 24 inches diameter at the bottom and has been like that for as long as I can remember. Only maintenance it needs is the chopping of the odd cane once a year that wants to go sideways.
Research to find the behaviour of various bamboo types. In our last house we had a clump for 20 years that reached a diameter of about 1m. I can’t remember which type it was, sorry. It grew to about 2-3m tall with shoots up to 1cm thick, so not the giant type!
It did not spread, just formed a neat feature as a shrub would.
It did not spread, just formed a neat feature as a shrub would.
Hoofy said:
Grow it in pots. The rhizome will spread if not maintained. It's one of the not so positive legacies my dad left for us to deal with in my mum's garden. One minute attractive ornamental border, next minute bamboo forest infestation with pandas ready to pounce on you.
.
Don't ever plant bamboo in the ground. Lovely in big pots though..
We had it and the roots punctured the pond liner after a few years. Took about two years of weed-killer to eliminate it. Nearly.
Do it. But choose the right variety.
I planted one in 2007 and it has remained exactly where I planted it, hasn't spread and it looks lovely. Cant remember the variety as I bought it around year 2000 and when we later moved house I dug it up and took it with me, but it's clump forming.
Here it is behind the red acer..
I planted one in 2007 and it has remained exactly where I planted it, hasn't spread and it looks lovely. Cant remember the variety as I bought it around year 2000 and when we later moved house I dug it up and took it with me, but it's clump forming.
Here it is behind the red acer..
I dont get the doom associated with bamboo. Previous owners put it across the bottom of our garden before we moved in and its had hardly any trimming over 8 years and now gives us a perfect screen at the bottom of the garden. No sprouting shoots, no drama, just a really nice lush green hedge which is about 9ft high now and hides the s
t hole house behind perfectly.
I didn't plant it but I'm glad the previous owners did. Minimal maintenance, I just run a hedge trimmer over it now and then to keep it tidy. If I wanted to thin it out I'd just cut a few bits off at ground level. I reckon I've trimmed it about 4 times in 8 years.
t hole house behind perfectly. I didn't plant it but I'm glad the previous owners did. Minimal maintenance, I just run a hedge trimmer over it now and then to keep it tidy. If I wanted to thin it out I'd just cut a few bits off at ground level. I reckon I've trimmed it about 4 times in 8 years.
What a wonderful blank canvas that garden is!
First thing I would say is to be bold and create some nice big, deep borders. And don’t follow the straight lines of the boundary - make sweeping curves to create rhythm and interest. So many people create boring, straight shallow borders barely 18 inches deep, which don’t have the depth to allow planting and create interest.
Oh, and dig a pond. Doesn’t have to be big, but this has been the single most rewarding thing I’ve done in the garden. Wildlife loves it!
But of course, if you’ve got kids who’ll want to kick a ball around in the garden then this might not work.
So, your hedge/screening. As others have said, bamboo is risky. Alternatively, “Red Robin” Photinia is a good choice - evergreen, nice leaves with a dramatic flush of red in spring. Mind you, it’ll take a good few years to reach the height necessary to screen those overlooking upstairs windows, unless you invest in big ones from the start. Laurel would be a good choice as well.
First thing I would say is to be bold and create some nice big, deep borders. And don’t follow the straight lines of the boundary - make sweeping curves to create rhythm and interest. So many people create boring, straight shallow borders barely 18 inches deep, which don’t have the depth to allow planting and create interest.
Oh, and dig a pond. Doesn’t have to be big, but this has been the single most rewarding thing I’ve done in the garden. Wildlife loves it!
But of course, if you’ve got kids who’ll want to kick a ball around in the garden then this might not work.
So, your hedge/screening. As others have said, bamboo is risky. Alternatively, “Red Robin” Photinia is a good choice - evergreen, nice leaves with a dramatic flush of red in spring. Mind you, it’ll take a good few years to reach the height necessary to screen those overlooking upstairs windows, unless you invest in big ones from the start. Laurel would be a good choice as well.
Dr Mike Oxgreen said:
What a wonderful blank canvas that garden is!
First thing I would say is to be bold and create some nice big, deep borders. And don’t follow the straight lines of the boundary - make sweeping curves to create rhythm and interest. So many people create boring, straight shallow borders barely 18 inches deep, which don’t have the depth to allow planting and create interest.
Oh, and dig a pond. Doesn’t have to be big, but this has been the single most rewarding thing I’ve done in the garden. Wildlife loves it!
But of course, if you’ve got kids who’ll want to kick a ball around in the garden then this might not work.
So, your hedge/screening. As others have said, bamboo is risky. Alternatively, “Red Robin” Photinia is a good choice - evergreen, nice leaves with a dramatic flush of red in spring. Mind you, it’ll take a good few years to reach the height necessary to screen those overlooking upstairs windows, unless you invest in big ones from the start. Laurel would be a good choice as well.
Very good advice here thanks!First thing I would say is to be bold and create some nice big, deep borders. And don’t follow the straight lines of the boundary - make sweeping curves to create rhythm and interest. So many people create boring, straight shallow borders barely 18 inches deep, which don’t have the depth to allow planting and create interest.
Oh, and dig a pond. Doesn’t have to be big, but this has been the single most rewarding thing I’ve done in the garden. Wildlife loves it!
But of course, if you’ve got kids who’ll want to kick a ball around in the garden then this might not work.
So, your hedge/screening. As others have said, bamboo is risky. Alternatively, “Red Robin” Photinia is a good choice - evergreen, nice leaves with a dramatic flush of red in spring. Mind you, it’ll take a good few years to reach the height necessary to screen those overlooking upstairs windows, unless you invest in big ones from the start. Laurel would be a good choice as well.
We have a 10y.o and 2 x 1 y.o therefore a pond might not be the first choice of ornament. There will be a playing/climbing frame installed as well and there's already a 10ft trampoline hiding behind the garage wall.
I take your advice of not following a straight line and creating some interesting features. In fact, our old garden had a mature plum tree that wasn't tall but wide enough so our daughter would hide under it. I like garden that are a bit "messy"
As for hiding us from view, a bit of observation over the weekend made me realise that people over in these houses are not there watching us all the time. Aim is mostly to hide their houses from our main view. If they want to spy on me tending the garden in my shorts or emptying the bin in my flip flops, they're welcome to it and good luck to them erasing that image from their memory.
Thanks for all the advice. Food for thoughts.
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