Bamboo - if I trim will it bush out at lower level?

[MaggieW]

I've got Phylostaccus nigra (sp?) in my garden and love it. It's around 18ft in height now and I'm wondering if I topped it to around 8ft, would it bush out at the lower level. I'm trying to grow it as a screen to give us a bit more privacy and would love to hurry it along a little with summer coming. TIA.

[GrendelsMum]

I've never tried it, but I don't think that it would particularly help it bush out - bamboo is a grass, and so taking it down lower isn't going to make each individual stem bush out, and I can't see any logical reason that it would make the new stems appear any faster.

[blackmilkofdaybreak]

You could consider planting another shorter variety in front of it if you have space. Umbrella bamboo is a good one, it has a lot of foliage at the top and then it begins to lean over and looks quite dense and attractive.

[MaggieW]

Thanks for that GM. Bmodb Is the Umbrella variety clumping - and does it take up much space ie in terms of how far would it come out if grown against a fence?

[MrsJohnDeere]

I would divide it and replant. I did this with one in my garden with some success (same type). It took a bit of a hit for the first year after division, but is looking good again now.

[blackmilkofdaybreak]

Actually I'm not sure if umbrella bamboo is clump-forming or not. Clump-forming is good - you don't have to restrict the roots.

Fountain bamboo is similar and is def. clump forming. I have it in my garden. Very nice and dense, excellent for screening.