Bamboo grows from underground shoots known as rhizomes. When left to its own devices, running bamboo spreads rapidly – sometimes to such an extent that it completely takes over an area garden or landscape design project.
To keep running bamboo under control, the rhizomes must be smothered. This can be accomplished by covering an area with plastic tarps for several weeks to months until all rhizomes die back out.
Choosing the Right Bamboo
Bamboo makes an elegant and versatile addition to any garden, providing both privacy and interest in landscape designs. Furthermore, its maintenance can be fairly effortless, particularly with clump-forming varieties.
Umbrella Bamboo is a clump-forming variety with green canes that turn yellowish-green upon maturity, and thrives best in full sun to light shade environments and fertile soil. A hardy species, this species tolerates cold climates as well as container gardening environments well.
Dragon Head Bamboo, with green canes and blue-green leaves, is another clump-forming variety. Hardy to -20deg Fahrenheit, this variety thrives best under partial shade conditions and moist soil conditions. For something tropical-esque consider Buddha Bamboo which features lumpy nodes resembling those found on a Buddha statue and can grow up to 20 feet tall in warm-temperate climates without becoming an invasive weed species.
Getting Started
Bamboo adds structure to any garden design with its long canes swaying in the breeze and their subtle shifting sounds. Furthermore, bamboo’s practical applications include increasing boundaries, providing privacy or screening traffic noises from entering.
Bamboos thrive in most climates and soil types, but certain conditions should be kept in mind to ensure optimal growth. They require well-drained fertile soil that drains well as well as regular feeding during their early growth stage to maximize success.
When planting running varieties of bamboo, spring or summer planting is best as this is when they produce most above-ground growth. If planting in winter it may be necessary to protect the roots from frost by applying horticultural fleece or sacking around your bamboo grove.
Dig a hole 1.5-2 times wider than the root ball of your bamboo plant and bury it into the soil, adding compost or manure for extra nourishment. A root barrier may be necessary if planting running bamboo species to keep its spread under control.
Planting
Bamboo plants add an eye-catching modern design element to any garden and are easily grown like other perennials. Their striking beauty can be enjoyed either in clusters or spread out as an airy green screen; as the breeze passes over their foliage they provide a soothing rustle.
Running bamboo can become extremely invasive, so for optimal control it’s best to plant in containers (galvanized horse troughs are ideal) or surround them with high-density polyethylene plastic rhizome barriers. When planting it directly in the ground it should be at least 26-34 inches deep to avoid its roots from popping out unexpectedly.
At the time of planting, blend some well-rotted compost or manure into the newly dug soil to provide it with extra nutrition and improve its ability to hold moisture. Organic mulch or compost also work well – just remember that newly planted areas require frequent and regular watering until established.
Pruning Bamboo
Bamboo rhizomes grow close to the ground and can quickly take over areas you don’t want them. A root barrier can help stop this, either with fabric available at builders merchants or using solid material like paving slabs or corrugated iron sheet as its foundation.
To keep bamboo within its intended space, regular pruning is key. Use sharp, sterile shears to trim back unwanted shoots and remove dead or unsightly leaves; try leaving behind one to two inch nubs on sprouts as this encourages new growth and makes your plant appear denser.
Clumps of bamboos should be pruned throughout the year; runners, on the other hand, should be pruned in late winter so the plant can quickly recover after pruning. If an aggressive runner appears too quickly for you to control, cover its area with plastic tarps for several months until its roots have been subdued by coverings or plastic sheets.
