Choose the right throw in of bamboo so it won’t take over your yard.
What Is Bamboo?
Bamboo is a large group of tall, thick treelike grasses containing more than 1,400 different species.
Credit: Erica George
Most are woody-stemmed evergreen perennials.
This makes bamboo an extremely sustainable resource.
There are many eco-friendly products made of bamboo, including utensils, toothbrushes, and home goods.
Credit: William Wright
Bamboos come in sizes from just 4-6 inches to 130 feet tall.
Within that broad range, you’ll easily find a variety that works in your landscape.
But be careful: Some grow so quickly and densely that they’ll crowd out other plants.
How these underground rhizomes grow makes a big difference for the gardener.
The two major types of bamboo are bamboo with a running rhizome structure and bamboo with a clumping structure.
Running Bamboo
Running bamboo has long rhizomes that spread horizontally.
These bamboo types need a large area to spread and should be controlled with annual root pruning.
Otherwise, they’ll rapidly take over your landscape.
One of the most popular and notoriously invasive running bamboo types isgolden bamboo.
They are strong and fast-growing with varyingdegrees of hardinessin Zones 5-10.
They make fast-growing privacy screens with a tropical feel.
This provides a healthy growing zone, while also making it easier to control any rogue rhizomes.
To discourage deep rhizome growth, tightly compact the soil in the bottom of the planting hole.
Patrol the perimeter of your bamboo regularly in early summer to check for escapees.
Check again when rhizome growth ceases, which will vary, depending on where you live.
Clumping Bamboo
Clumping bamboos have shorter rhizomes that don’t stray far from their origin.
Clumping bamboos come in a wide range of colors and sizes.
The new growth comes in thicker and shorter.
Tips for Growing Bamboo
Bamboo is easy to grow if its basic requirements are met.
Light
Theamount of sunlightvaries according to the bamboo key in.
Golden bamboo flourishes with at least six hours of direct sunlight each day.
Water
All bamboos appreciate regular watering.
However, don’t let them stand in water.
New plants need watering once a day until they’re established.
Fertilizer
To help fuel the speedy growth, bamboo uses a lot of nutrients.
Use aslow-release, organic fertilizerthat ishigh in nitrogen, such as 10-5-5.
Like otherpotted plants, indoor bamboos need good drainage, regular watering, and fertilizing.
give a shot to imitate outdoor conditions as closely as possible.
A running pop in will require you torepot the plantor divide it every few years.
Placing a pebble tray with a little bit of water under the container also helps raise moisture levels.
Orplace a humidifier nearby.
Provide your indoor bamboo with as much bright, indirect sunlight as possible for the best growth.
It’s a lookalike plant that is easier to grow.
