Bamboo Plants

Choosing the best for your garden will depend on the location you select for planting.

There are varieties that are fast spreaders and can take over your landscape without proper pruning and controls.

They can be grown in containers to restrict their spread or to use as focal points.

Their use as screens has become a popular alternative to fencing, and there are varieties that can be trained into topiary forms as well.

It is a versatile plant that, with proper care, is a unique addition to the garden.

Types of Bamboo

Clump type bamboos do not spread as readily as other varieties. Fargesias and Thamnocalamus prefer light to moderate shade, especially at the height of summer's daytime heat.

Remember, these are forest plants that are accustomed to the shade cover of other trees.

Varieties that spread through rhizomes will need a barrier of heavy-gauge polyethylene dug at least 30 inches into the soil to prevent their spread.

Container grown varieties will not grow to the height they would grow in the soil, perhaps only half as tall as their in-ground height.

Since many varieties can grow to over thirty feet tall, a large wooden planter would keep the plant at a manageable height for a focal point or as a hedge along a house or driveway.

Bamboo Plant Care

Large bamboo plants need at least five hours of direct sunlight daily. When they are first planted as small plants, protect them from wind damage with a temporary fence.

Some varieties will also need light shade protection when small. They are thirsty plants and prefer acidic loamy soil.

Heavy soil can be amended by digging organic compost into the planting area.

The rhizomes will spread in an area protected with a heavy layer of mulch, as this replicates their native forest environment.

A stake or guy wire setup may be required for tall, young plants until their roots establish themselves in their new setting.

Plant bamboo any time in moderate climates, but in colder climates allow enough time for the trees to become established before winter.

The closer to winter you plant, the heavier the mulch layer should be for protection.

In windy winter areas, provide a temporary wind block until spring. Spring is a better planting time in areas with severe winters.

If you are growing the bamboo plant in containers, report every three to five years to prevent the plant from becoming pot-bound.

Because container plants are susceptible to heat, cold, wind and drying out, use heavy pots that provide insulation to the roots.

Adequate drainage and watering must be provided, perhaps daily during summer's heat or on windy days. A high nitrogen fertilizer and a layer of compost will keep the plant healthy and lush.

Since spring leaf drop doesn't match the timing of most deciduous trees, it may appear that something is wrong. But the yellowing and eventual drop of leaves in spring is normal.

If no barrier to the rhizomes was provided, root pruning will be needed to control spreading varieties.

Old canes should be removed every year and any broken or unattractive branches should be removed, making a clean cut just above a node.

A clump of bamboo should be trimmed at the top as well, to produce a pleasant shape, and thin out clumps for an airy look.

Topiary shapes can be formed by removing lower branches and pruning back side branches to create a rounded shape. The cut branches will not grow back, but will become lush with leaves.

Bamboo is a unique plant that has become popular in the home landscape. With the proper choice of variety and a little care, it can provide years of enjoyment.