How invasive is black bamboo in the uk?

Not a bamboo grower myself other than a few plants of some I grew from seed many years ago.
I think you just need to look up if it is a clump forming one or one of the more vigorous types.

I'm finding two types, one which is invasive Phyllostachys nigra, and one called Timor bamboo, Bambusa lako, which is a clump former.

But then I noticed the site was Australian
So likely the Bambusa is not hardy here.

If you really like it, I'd plant it and keep an eye on it, if it looks like its going to cause problems after a year or two get it out before it does.

 

I have Phyllostachys nigra, had it for about 12 years now. It does spread but not uncontrollably. I thin it every year and have cut pieces off it to give to other gardeners.

 

I had Phyllostachys nigra and the plant just enlarged gently. Very slow for me over 5-10 years. Maybe there are a few different clones in cultivation? Some nutters and others more respectable.

 

Verdun lives in Cornwall so I guess that could have a big effect.

A few different sources say it doesn’t “wander”

Phyllostachys Nigra

 

From a personal aspect, I have had Nigra for around 15 years now. I bought it from a plant catalogue at around 18 inches tall
Phyllostachys nigra | J Parker Dutch Bulbs
Slow growing and relatively maintenance free, just add water lol
It is now a clump of around 8ft high by 4 foot spread hemmed in along a fence and between two conifer trees. It has a small cane diameter and for me, it doesn't run at all, neither through the pathway and into the lawn or backward through the fence. This was one of the reasons I chose this bamboo sp. I didn't want an invasive type. New growth is green whilst the older wood is black, and as I've already mentioned the Bamboo Cane itself is fairly slim (not thick). The clump is tight and dense and I top it every year to keep it tidy. One thing I will say, yes it does need tying up to keep it from drooping all over the place and it does shed a lot of leaves, I'm forever sweeping up after it hahahaha but I do love this plant it forms part of my fence screen for privacy in the garden. would I buy it again?... For Sure

 

My cane diameter is now up to thumb size and 12ft+ long, the thinnings are used around the garden for supports. As BigC said the colour develops over a couple of years. I remove the lower leaves at the front so I can see a good length of the black cane. I'd describe them as self mulching, although local cats like to lay there and sun bathe. As mine is exposed to cold winds it does suffer with the leaves getting brown tips and edges.
Also watch out for the leaf tips catching your eye, very painful. Eye protection advisable when working on it.

 

Interesting to note that your canes are thumb size @NigelJ after 15 years mine are very slender and nowhere near that. Wondering if they are the same or grow differently over differing conditions and sites

 

Hi K78. If you're concerned about them running stick them in pots. I recently divided a P. Nigra that had been in a builders trug for several years. It was still well contained within the pot. I posted on another thread here and someone kindly gave me a link to a large pot supplier. www.hartcanna.com

 

I guess I am outvoted
Maybe the mild climate has an effect on running bamboos!!!!

Go for it then K78. Keep an eye out though for any possible wayward runners

 

NO, not at all @Verdun
Nigel mentions that his var. has thumb sized canes. Mine sold as P. niger from above link. has canes nowhere near that size. I would put my canes in the region of 6-8mm could there be different variants and spp. in circulation or does, as you say, location, soil type, and climate play a huge part or simply that @NigelJ has small thumbs

 

Would these be ok as a temporary home?

Wilko 231L Round Garden Bag | Wilko

 

Bamboo will break through that bag no problem.

We decided to remove our black bamboo last year. It had been in about 14 years and the roots were a tangled mess of really woody growth. I cant get a spade in to dig it out so have cut it down and poison any new growth, breaking off the stubs of cane when they weaken.

We found black bamboo to be clump forming but it does spread over time.

I wont plant bamboo in the garden now as it is a brute. We had a running bamboo send roots 25 feet under a patio and re-emerge. Its a determined plant !

 

They would only be in the bags for a week or so.

 

@BigC My canes are about twice the diameter of yours, but took 10+ years to get there. They get the occasional handful of blood fish and bone and water in very dry weather like last summer.
@andrews I removed a Fargesia nitidia this spring and found a mattock the best thing for dealing with the mattress of roots. Even then it was hard work.

 

My canes got to thumb size too, but mine didn't even get fed unless they accidentally got a scattering of chicken manure because I have no aim... I still hold to my theory about the different clones - I was lucky and got a respectable one, and @Verdun got some nutters!
I wouldn't grow it again because to get an elegant view of separated black canes means getting in there and clearing the middle of the clump. And that is difficult - you have little room to wield the long handled secateurs.