bamboo anyone?

[ledkr]

Id like a nice pot of bamboo on the patio partly for privacy as there is a lowish fence and next doors kids stand and stare at us sometimes for the entire day asking us what we are doing/eating etc.

I have no idea what to buy and how to look after it.I saw pots of it in the garden centre for £50,surely there is a cheaper way of doing it?
Any suggestions?

Where are you? I have loads needs digging up, you can have it for free.
Phyllostachys nitida, very light and airy but 7ft tall.

Having said that, I've seen bamboo in big pots looking quite unhappy. Like most big plants it likes to keep its feet cool and damp.

I fear you're right, CuttedUpPear - my black bamboo, which I kept well-watered in a huge pot, has nonetheless died.

Bamboo can be bought for much less than £50 if you're willing to start with a smaller plant and grow it on.

If your patio has square pavers could you lift one or two and plant through? Things in pots always make for a high maintenance garden.
I always try to plant accent plants this way so that the plant doesn't need any maintenance.

Make sure you get the right kind that doesn't go bananas. I'm growing bambusa gracilis as a screen - but this is in Melbourne - so you'd have to Google it to see if it will grow where you are.

Oh i wish i knew what you guys do.
Cutted up,im in Glos.Any good for you?

Thanks all.I will look up miscanthus and look for smaller plants not inpots,

On the other hand, if you have pots that you want to fill, agapanthus does better in pots than it does in open ground.

I'm in Gloucestershire too...on the far western edge.
If you're growing it in a pot it won't matter what kind it is, it won't spread.