Bamboo plant screening

[mandmsmummy]

Has anyone used bamboo pants for screening?
Like the idea of them not being bushy like a hedge but providing a not too high screen like conifers would.
Xx

Bump xx

be really really really careful which variety you choose. you need a clump forming one not one that spreads, and ideally you need it in pots to keep it under control. It can take over the world and is a nightmare to dig out.

But it does look good.

I love bamboo and have quite a few varieties in my garden. As ladygardeners said be very careful with the variety you use. There are literally hundreds of types, some grown very tall ( upwards to 30 feet or more) and many are invasive. They can grow fast, quickly and spread like wildfire, lifting paving stones etc in their path.

Having said that there are also many varieties which are clumping ( non invasive) and won't grow too tall. I have a lovely 8 year old one outside my kitchen window around 2m high, ( not in a pot) and although has become bushier in that time has not spread from its original spot.
They are mostly evergreen, I love the swishing sound in the wind and I think look beautiful. They are not a great habitat for wildlife, but are very low maintainance.

Do your homework first though and make sure you are not buying a beast that will take over.
I am moving house soon, and bamboo will be one of the first things I plant in my garden. There are loads of online companies which will do mail order and have loads of information about the growing habits of different varieties.

I have a clump of Phyllostachys Nigra that I planted about 6-7 years ago. It has established itself really well and has not spread. I think it might, eventually, as the clump has thickened substantially, but it's clearly not a fast mover. The tallest fronds are about 10ft tall, but it's mostly only a foot or two over the height of the fence. I think it might be taller if it wasn't overshadowed by a tree.

It's not a rigidly upright bamboo, a little messy and slumps a bit. It's in a sheltered corner, and I wonder whether, if it was in a more open spot, it would take a pampas grass shape.

It's lovely, BTW!

Thanks all, looking for something to go higher than a six foot fence to create a bit of privacy but not something to wild. Some of the neighbours at the bottom are snotty and bullied my dear old dad into cutting his confers down. X

I empathise with this as my dad has similar neighbours however wonder if bamboo is the best option mainly because in these temperate climes it may not provide the screen you need and so could be good mixed with other things eg rhodedendrons (some are evergreen) and I saw a lovely planting the other day of rhodedendrons with rambler roses running through. Tropical planting is quite the thing and I saw a shrubby bottle brush plant look good with bamboo in a garden recently.

Wow be really careful!
Previous homeowner planted bamboo. It's now lifting the paving slabs on the other side of the fence. And shoots up 10 feet into our garden. And cutting through Tarmac like its butter.
We pour weed killer every so often onto the ground on the public side of our fence. It's a crazy plant!

On the plus side, due to it growing to damn fast we now have a lifetime supply of bamboo sticks for gardening with. Which are quite expensive if you need to buy them.

*too damn. Sorry typo

Depending on the height you want, have you thought about willow?

justgottosleepnow- not all varieties are lie this though. Many never move from their original spot, others never grow to more that three foot high.

It depends on the variety chosen- and you will know the habits if you research before hand. theay are not all "crazy plants".

Don't do it!

Why foofoo?

Don't it'll take over your garden!

Another don't do it! The previous owners planted bamboo. It is a complete thug and has overtaken one bed despite us hacking at it regularly. It's spread everywhere and we're having to have our patio relaid because of it. Darn difficult to get rid of.
Anyone got a flame thrower we can borrow

If you do have bamboo, think about putting it in a long planter or a well prepared bed with a brick edge to help prevent the spread.

babymouse are you reading all of the posts here? It is possible to have beautiful bamboo without it running amok. I have four beuatiful bamboos- all around 8 years old and have no problem at all with them spreading.

I would have no hesitation in buying and planiting more.

Blimey a real divide.

Sunbathe - I would like a willow den but hadn't thought about using it as a screen? X

Hmm, having looked into it a bit more, I think willow might have it's own problems, unless you've got a massive garden.

Laurel or privet any good?

If you choose the right bamboo, it will need minimal maintenance. Willow, OTOH, will need pruning every year or two to keep it from bolting skywards. It's a big tree, after all. Unless there is such a thing as willow on dwarf rootstock?

Which is the right bamboo? X

Mandm that is the right question!

The right bamboo is clumping bamboo. Fargesia, chusquea and thamnocalamus are the ones for the UK, apparently.

Go to a specialist outlet, not a garden centre, and talk to an expert.

Www.junglegiants.co.uk are a good bamboo nursery and their website is really helpful in deciding which variety you want. I bought some black bamboo from them a few years ago and they were the best quality plants I've ever had mail order. The black bamboos are now 7 and were transplanted from patio pots to the garden 5 years ago and are doing a brilliant job of screening the house behind us, they are about 12 ft tall. They are in a windy spot which they shouldn't like so they are tough too.

You can buy in a garden centre- they are often cheaper. Just make sure you do your ressearch first.

Thanks all.
Will do a lot of research! Xx